Book lovers, mark your calendars. The Tucson Festival of Books is back next weekend, bringing two days of literary magic to the University of Arizona mall.

From seasoned attendees to first-time visitors, the festival offers something for bookworms of all types. Since its first year in 2009, the festival has grown into the second-largest in the United States.

It has also become a valuable community event, raising more than $2.3 million for local literacy organizations, including Literacy Connects, Make Way for Books, and the UA’s literacy outreach programs.

With a new executive director and lifelong book lover leading the charge, this year’s festival promises to be a special event for everyone with a passion for reading.

“You just can’t imagine how much continual effort goes into putting this on for the community until you’re behind the scenes working with all the people who are doing it,” said Executive Director Abra McAndrew.

McAndrew is right at home in her new role. A longtime Tucsonan with more than two decades of experience working at the UA, she knows just how much this festival is valued by the community.

“We have volunteers who have worked with the festival since its very beginnings, so that’s really inspiring,” she said.

She also credits the UA as a key partner in making the event possible. A former comparative literature major, McAndrew runs a Substack blog called The Book Tender, where she shares her passion for reading.

For McAndrew, leading the festival isn’t just a job—it’s a dream come true, blending her love of books, community, and the joy of bringing stories to life.

“It’s really energizing just to see how much people care and have cared for many years,” she said.

With more than 300 authors and hundreds of exhibitors readying themselves for the event, it’s not too early for attendees to start planning their festival weekends.

Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this two-day celebration of stories, authors, and community.

Logistics

The festival takes place March 15 and 16, with activities running from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except for festival launch activities like our Storybook Parade which begins at 9:00 a.m.

All festival events are free to attend, but visitors who want to drive might have to pay for parking at the UA. Many surface lots offer complimentary parking, but garages and certain other lots will charge $10 per day.

Parking is also cashless, with garages accepting only cards or mobile payments.

Visitors can also take advantage of Tucson’s free SunTran bus system or Sun Link streetcar for an easy ride straight to the action.

The festival features everything from author-led workshops to panel discussions with literary giants. Attendees can also browse hundreds of exhibitor booths featuring books, book-themed merchandise, and local nonprofits dedicated to literacy.

Visitors also have the chance to meet their favorite authors, get their books signed, and discover new voices in the indie author pavilion.

Food and drinks are available for purchase in the student union, festival food court, and throughout the mall. A list of vendors and menu items is available on the event’s website, but we’ll also be breaking down the festival’s foodie appeal next week, so stay tuned for that.

Event Access and Safety

All presentations are free, but seating is first come, first served, so those hoping to snag a seat for a popular author should plan to arrive early.

To secure an early spot at some of the most popular sessions, there’s a Fast Pass option, which guarantees priority entry at four major venues. Fast Passes are currently available for Friends of the Festival, a program that supports the festival’s free programming and local literacy programs, and will be available to the general public starting at noon next Wednesday.

The UA campus is ADA-compliant, but people who need additional accommodations—like assistive listening devices, accessible seating, or sign language interpreters—can reach out in advance. Requests for interpreters or CART captioning must be submitted at least a week before the event.

With thousands of book lovers gathering in one place, safety is a top priority. Attendees can expect to see an increased security presence throughout the festival, as well as additional safety measures to keep things running smoothly.

With 130,000 people turning out for last year’s festival, the event can be overwhelming for pets. While pets are allowed on the UA Mall and in many outdoor spaces, only service animals with proper identification are allowed inside university buildings and festival venues.

The Tucson Festival of Books mobile app is an especially helpful tool for navigating the event and includes schedules, author profiles, exhibitor info, parking maps, and last-minute updates. It’s the easiest way to stay informed.

Whether attendees are diving into insightful panels, uncovering their next favorite author, or simply getting lost in the book-loving buzz, there’s a story waiting for everyone.

Grab a tote bag, turn the page, and step into a weekend filled with literary adventure.

Angelina Maynes is a University of Arizona alum and reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at angelinamaynes@arizona.edu.

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