News Summary
The Detroit Festival of Books, also known as Detroit Bookfest, will take place from July 18-20, 2025, featuring author discussions, a bookstore tour, over 250 vendors, and children’s activities. Founded in 2017, the festival aims to promote literacy and support local authors, with a philanthropic effort to collect 2,000 donated children’s books. This year’s lineup includes notable authors, community engagement, and a celebratory afterparty at Detroit City Distillery.
Detroit is set to host the eighth annual Detroit Festival of Books, also known as Detroit Bookfest, from July 18-20, 2025. This expanded festival will offer a variety of literary activities across multiple days and venues, catering to both avid readers and families alike.
The festival was originally founded in 2017 by Ryan Place, who was inspired to create this event after a visit to John K. King Used & Rare Books. The inaugural book festival drew an impressive 10,000 attendees and was held inside Shed 5 at Eastern Market.
This year, the festivities will kick off on Friday, July 18, with Bookfest at the Main, which takes place at the Detroit Public Library’s main branch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. This event will feature a series of author talks and discussions. Selected portions of the program will also be highlighted on PBS’s national broadcast PBS Books.
On Saturday, July 19, the festival will host a self-guided bookstore tour, showcasing a remarkable 85 bookstores in the regions of southeast Michigan and Ontario, Canada. This initiative encourages attendees to explore local literary treasures and discover new reads.
The main celebration will occur on Sunday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Eastern Market in Sheds 4, 5, and 6. Festival-goers can browse through an exciting lineup of over 250 vendors, including notable organizations such as Wayne State University Press, InsideOut Literary Arts, Preservation Detroit, and Book Beat. Additionally, free children’s activities will be available at DTE Plaza, designed to engage younger audiences and promote a love for reading.
An afterparty will be held at the Detroit City Distillery, featuring a special cocktail menu inspired by the themes of the festival. This event aims to provide a relaxed atmosphere for attendees to reflect on their festival experiences.
In a philanthropic effort, the festival aims to collect 2,000 donated children’s books for local youth. In partnership with Birdie’s Bookmobile, stations will be set up throughout the festival to accept donations of both new and gently used books.
The festival will also spotlight several acclaimed authors. Notable speakers include Curtis Chin, author of the memoir Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, and cartographer Alex B. Hill, who recently published Great Lakes in 50 Maps. Other authors joining the lineup include Mark Crilley, The Astro Twins, Melissa F. Kaelin, Vanessa Ivy Rose, and Barbara Henning. Los Angeles-based author “Freeway” Rick Ross will also present his memoir during the event.
The growth of the Detroit Bookfest can be attributed to the robust support from the community, including vendors, attendees, and Eastern Market. The festival promotes a vibrant atmosphere that encourages discovery, creativity, and exploration through literature, appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds.
The festival’s impressive expansion—from a unique idea sketched on a cocktail napkin to a comprehensive book-themed weekend—highlights the commitment of organizers and the community to foster a culture of literacy and appreciation for local authors.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Birdie’s Book Bank & Bookmobile
- Wikipedia: Book Festival
- Bridge Detroit: Detroit Festival of Books
- Google Search: Detroit Festival of Books
- Click On Detroit: Detroit Bookfest
- Google Scholar: Detroit Bookfest
- Axios: Things to Do in Metro Detroit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Detroit
