The Midwest’s largest literary festival returns to Chicago’s historic Printer’s Row neighborhood in the South Loop with the Printer’s Row Lit Fest on September 12 and 13, 2026.
Photo courtesy of Printers Row Lit Fest
Stretching out over five blocks, the Printers Row Lit Fest features more than 100 booksellers, interactive discussions with local and national bestselling authors, spoken word performances, book signings and writing workshops.
Photo courtesy of Printer’s Row Lit Fest
Browse through tents filled with new and rare literary treasures or listen to a discussion with authors. Headliners include Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen, beloved Chicago crime author Scott Turrow and Wisconsin Poet Laureate Brenda Cardenas.
Don’t miss presentations and discussions like ” Writing Chicago: New Fiction Set in Chicago,” on Saturday at 3 pm and “Examining the Architecture of Education, Citizenship and Power” on Sunday at 11 am.
Children’s programming at the fest includes interactive reading and drawing games and a storybook parade on Saturday at 10:30 am. The 41st annual Printers Row Lit Fest will run from 10 am-6 pm on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13.
All Lit Fest events are free and don’t require tickets but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis so arrive early for good seats.
Printer’s Row Lit Fest
Dearborn Street, from Polk Street to Ida B. Wells Drive
September 12 and 13, 2026, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m
Free
