Sacramento Book Festival Returns April 19, 2026
The Sacramento Book Festival is set to return for its third year on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in East Sacramento. Organized by the Sacramento branch of the California Writers Club, the free event will feature more than 250 authors and eight local bookstores, offering readers a chance to meet writers, get books signed, and attend presentations across genres.
Event Details and Highlights
The festival runs from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. At 6151 H Street. Attendees can enjoy food trucks, two coffee vendors, a dedicated children’s zone, and a passport stamp hunt with prizes including season passes to Capital Stage and B Street Theatre, free dinners at Zócalo, and a night at the Sacramento Ballet.
This year’s keynote speakers include science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson, a multiple Hugo and Nebula Award winner and recent recipient of the Robert A. Heinlein Award, and young adult author Wendelin Van Draanen, Edgar-winning author of the Sammy Keyes mystery series. James Rollins, last year’s keynote speaker, will also return.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
The festival partners with local bookstores Avid Reader Davis and Underground Books to provide books for sale. It also supports the Mustard Seed School, a Sacramento school for children of unhoused families, by encouraging attendees to donate coloring or activity books for kids or adults.
Growth and Impact
Since its inception, the festival has grown significantly. The 2024 test run at McKinley Park Farmers Market featured over 130 authors. The 2025 event expanded further, and the 2026 festival will host more than 250 authors, reflecting strong community interest in literary events.
As part of National Poetry Month, the Sacramento Book Festival joins other April literary celebrations in the Capital Region, including Drop Everything and Read Day (April 12), World Book and Copyright Day (April 23), and Independent Bookstore Day (April 25).
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 Sacramento Book Festival?
The festival will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. At the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H Street, East Sacramento.
Is admission to the Sacramento Book Festival free?
Yes, admission to the festival is free for all attendees.
Who are the featured authors at the 2026 festival?
The 2026 festival features more than 250 authors, including keynote speakers Kim Stanley Robinson and Wendelin Van Draanen, with a return appearance by James Rollins.
What activities are available for families at the festival?
Families can enjoy a dedicated children’s zone, food trucks, coffee vendors, and a passport stamp hunt with prizes such as theater passes, dinner vouchers, and ballet tickets.
How can I support the Mustard Seed School through the festival?
Attendees are encouraged to bring a coloring or activity book (for kids or adults) to donate to the Mustard Seed School, which serves children of unhoused families in Sacramento.