Words by Erin Austen Abbott
We are not shy about throwing some of the best book festivals in the world right here in the South. While gatherings like the Mississippi Book Festival and the Miami Book Fair might get a lot of attention, there are also plenty happening throughout the year that might have flown under your radar.
From coastal Mississippi gatherings to sprawling citywide celebrations, Southern literary festivals each take on the personality of the place that hosts them. Some unfold in courthouse squares and small-town theaters, while others spill across downtown streets and university campuses. What they share is the same spirit that made childhood book fairs feel so magical: the thrill of discovering a story you didn’t know you needed.
Here are a few that deserve a spot on your calendar.
HOMEGROWN
Long Beach, Mississippi
Held each January just blocks from the Gulf in Long Beach, Mississippi, HOMEGROWN brings together writers, readers, and storytellers from across the South for a weekend of conversations, workshops, and community. The four-day festival extends beyond Long Beach, kicking off with events at the legendary 100 Men Hall in Bay St. Louis and featuring programming designed to engage local youth. Recent festivals have welcomed acclaimed authors including Jesmyn Ward and Jason Reynolds, alongside film screenings, publishing panels, writing workshops, and conversations spanning memoir, fiction, poetry, cookbooks, and more. The weekend concludes with a Story Slam in Bay St. Louis. Featured titles are available for purchase and signing throughout the festival thanks to Pass Books, an independent bookstore serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
While you’re in town: Browse the shelves at Pass Books and Ocean Springs’ The Book Porter before gathering with your new book-loving friends over dinner at Siren Social Club in Gulfport.
Possumtown Book Fest
Columbus, Mississippi
Columbus, Mississippi, birthplace of Tennessee Williams, presents the Possumtown Book Fest. Hosted by local bookstore Friendly City Books, this festival has quickly become a state favorite among writers in Mississippi. Packed with panels, book signings, a book fair, and children’s events, this one-day event is one you will want to attend every summer.
While You’re in Town: Spend some time at the Columbus Arts Council, then make your way to Mita’s Himalayan Kitchen for a memorable lunch. Tucked into an unassuming shopping center, it’s one of the city’s best-kept culinary secrets.
Photography Credit: Ride Hamilton
Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival
New Orleans, Louisiana
Since 1986, the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival has been a fixture of the Southern literary scene. The New Orleans event, one of the region’s longest-running literary festivals, will celebrate its 41st year in March 2027. While the festival’s literary walking tours and culinary demonstrations set it apart, it also features music events. Three sidebar festivals take place concurrently: the Saints & Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival, the Tennessee Williams Scholars Conference, and The Last Bohemia.
While you’re in town: Pick up a muffuletta from Central Grocery & Deli, share a pie at St. Pizza, or catch the ferry to Algiers Point for a self-guided jazz walk followed by tacos at Barracuda Taco Stand.
Vanderbilt University Presents: The Southern Festival of Books, a Program of Humanities Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee’s Vanderbilt University presents the Southern Festival of Books each October. Now in its 38th year, the festival will see Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the Tennessee State Museum, and the Tennessee State Library and Archives transformed into a bibliophile’s dream, with more than 175 authors involved in signings, panels, and readings for a family-friendly weekend.
While you’re in town: Start at the Nashville Farmers’ Market, then make your way to nearby Germantown for a meal at Rolf and Daughters or City House. If you’re headed to The Gulch, don’t miss Otaku Ramen or Maíz de la Vida.
Six Bridges Book Festival
Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas
The Six Bridges Book Festival, created by the Central Arkansas Library System, which connects North Little Rock with Little Rock, Arkansas, takes place in late September through the beginning of October each year, although dates are subject to change. Combining workshops, readings, art exhibits, and panels, the mission of the festival is to bring readers and authors together, forming a larger community of storytellers. The festival is held in the Little Rock Main Library in the heart of downtown.
While you’re in town: Dig into a plate of tamales at downtown Little Rock’s Doe’s Eat Place, then satisfy your sweet tooth with a scoop from Scoops Homemade Ice Cream.
Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors is an annual September event from the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, bookstore Bookmarks that gathers readers and authors for a street party-style festival with signings, readings, family programming, and more. Pick up a Bolivian coffee from Inti House or a chai from Chad’s Chai on your way to the festival.
While you’re in town: Keep the literary conversation going over wine and small plates at Little Pep.
Water Valley Literary Festival
Water Valley, Mississippi
Created by the Hubert Creekmore Literary Society, the Water Valley Literary Festival honors the legacy of local author Hubert Creekmore in his hometown of Water Valley, Mississippi. The festival features a mix of history, young adult, children’s, fiction, and nonfiction panels, with writers from Water Valley, Oxford, and communities across the region.
While you’re in town: Wander through Violet Valley Bookstore, settle in for lunch at The B.T.C. Old-Fashioned Grocery and Café, and don’t leave without a box of pastries from Hummingbird Bakery for the road.
Amelia Island Book Festival
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Head to Florida for the Amelia Island Book Festival, which welcomes more than 100 authors—including many independent and self-published writers—each year in late February and early March. Working with local schools, the festival welcomes children and aims to inspire them to be readers and writers alike.
While you’re in town: Soak up the Florida sunshine and stretch your legs with a walk along Egan’s Creek Greenway Trail or a stroll at Main Beach Park.
Photo Credit: David Strauss
YALLFest
Charleston, South Carolina
The YA genre, short for young adult, has its own festival in YALLFest. Each November, historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, becomes the hub for those leading the pack in YA. Through thoughtful discussions, author signings, and readings, you will be immersed in the genre.
While you’re in town: Pick up a pastry from La Pâtisserie, then make plans for dinner at Chubby Fish or Malagón Mercado y Tapería.
Monroeville Literary Festival
Monroeville, Alabama
Held in Monroeville each late winter and early spring, the Monroeville Literary Festival celebrates the legacy of Nelle Harper Lee, with events taking place in the historic courtroom that inspired To Kill a Mockingbird. In addition to readings and book signings, the festival offers walking and museum tours, live music, and plein air painters around town.
While you’re in town: Follow the locals to lunch at Cherry Street BBQ, or venture just outside town for a meal at David’s Catfish House.
Dahlonega Literary Festival
Dahlonega, Georgia
Nestled in the hills of northern Georgia, the Dahlonega Literary Festival takes place in March each year, welcoming a small group of authors over six sessions and leaving attendees with hands-on, meaningful conversations. Today, festival events are held at the historic Holly Theatre in downtown Dahlonega. The organization also partners with the University of North Georgia’s English Department to present the annual North Georgia Regional Book Fair each September at the UNG Convocation Center.
While you’re in town: Pull up a chair for lunch at local favorites The Smith House Historic Inn and Restaurant or The Picnic Café and Dessertery.
More Festivals Worth Exploring
Mississippi Book Festival: Sept. 26, 2026 | Jackson, Mississippi
Decatur Book Festival: Oct. 2-3, 2026 | Decatur, Georgia
Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival: Oct. 3, 2026 | Fredericksburg, Virginia
Pat Conroy Literary Festival: Oct. 23-25, 2026 | Beaufort, South Carolina
Charleston Literary Festival: Nov. 6-15, 2026 | Charleston, South Carolina
Miami Book Fair: Nov. 15-22, 2026 | Miami, Florida
