The 2026 National Book Festival is set to take place on Saturday, August 22, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Organized by the Library of Congress, the event is designed to cater to a diverse audience of book lovers. Attendees can expect numerous activities, author talks, and workshops throughout the day.

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Kicking off the festival at 10 a.m. in Ballroom BC, Reid Wiseman, the commander of NASA's Artemis II mission, will share insights from the historical space journey that took astronauts around the moon in April. Following Wiseman, former SNL star Kate McKinnon will present her middle-grade book, Secrets of the Purple Pearl, at 11:30 a.m., offering a meet-and-greet opportunity at 12:45 p.m. in Hall B.

In the afternoon, renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese will appear in Ballroom BC at 4 p.m., discussing his contributions to film preservation with Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz. This will be followed by a conversation between authors Tayari Jones and Ann Patchett at 5 p.m. in Ballroom A, where Patchett will receive the 2026 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction.

The day will conclude with a talk by Broadway star Cynthia Erivo at 7 p.m. in Ballroom BC, who will discuss her memoir, Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much.

First-time festival attendees should be prepared for an overwhelming yet enriching experience, with author signings available from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. A dedicated Library Lounge will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for those in need of a break.

For MFA students, sessions include a crash course in copyright law at 9:30 a.m., poetry readings at 2 p.m., and a fiction workshop at 3:30 p.m. Additionally, Jordan Moblo will provide insights into adapting written work for screen adaptation at 12:30 p.m.

Families can participate in activities designed for children, including storytelling, crafts, and a visit with authors at Hall D. Events for young readers include sessions with authors such as Meg Cabot and discussions on friendship and cultural storytelling.

History enthusiasts can dive into various discussions, beginning with a session on Mary Todd Lincoln’s legacy at 9:30 a.m. in Ballroom A, and culminating in a talk with historians Douglas Brinkley and Annette Gordon-Reed about significant moments in U.S. history at 2:30 p.m.

As a reminder, tickets for the festival are free but required. Registration can be completed online, and a full festival schedule is available on the event’s FAQ page.