LA Times Festival of Books 2026: Lionel Richie and Sarah Jessica Parker to Take the Stage
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Times has confirmed that its annual Festival of Books will return to the University of Southern California on April 18-19, 2026. This year’s event promises an impressive lineup featuring over 550 writers and more than 350 exhibitors, including notable figures such as Lionel Richie, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Larry David.
The festival will commence with the 46th annual Book Prizes on April 17, where acclaimed author Amy Tan is set to receive the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement. Attendees can look forward to eight outdoor stages, including the LA Times Stage, Children’s Stage, and a Food Stage, which will feature cooking demonstrations by Cassandra Peterson, better known as Elvira.
New for this year is the Audiobook and Podcast Stage, introduced to spotlight the evolution of digital storytelling within the literary world. Additionally, special “page to screen” events will offer sneak previews of upcoming adaptations, such as Prime Video’s "The House of the Spirits" and Hulu’s "The Testaments."
Festival organizers have emphasized the diversity of this year’s lineup, which features a mix of established authors and prominent personalities from various fields. “The weekend festival will feature esteemed authors and cultural luminaries, spanning literary heavyweights, performers, celebrity authors, poets, politicians, and journalists,” the announcement stated.
While general admission to the festival remains free, specific "Friend of the Festival" packages and tickets for select events at the Bovard Auditorium will be available for purchase for attendees wishing to secure indoor seating.
As excitement builds for this literary gathering, the festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of literature and culture in the heart of Los Angeles.
