Tucson Festival of Books

Tucson Festival of Books

The Tucson Festival of Books is one of the largest literary festivals in the country, taking over the University of Arizona campus for a weekend each March. Since its founding in 2009 it's grown into a beloved spring tradition that draws hundreds of authors and huge crowds — and admission is free.

Expect author panels and readings, book signings, a science pavilion, food vendors, and stages for everything from cooking demos to children's programming, spread across the mall at the heart of campus. Readers deep into fiction, science, or kids' books will find a tent for it.

It's free and family-friendly, but popular sessions fill up, so check the schedule ahead and arrive early for big-name authors. From a Tucson rental near the university or downtown, the streetcar makes getting to campus easy.