2025 Tucson Festival of Books Day 1
May 15 @ 9:30 am - 5:00 pm UTC-7
Free
Meet Ann at this year’s Tucson Festival of Books on 15 & 16 March at the University of Arizona Campus.
The Tucson Festival of Books (TFoB) is a registered non-profit organization that made its debut in March 14-15, 2009 on the campus of The University of Arizona. The inaugural festival featured 450 authors and presenters and welcomed 50,000 regional visitors, all made possible with generous support from our sponsors and the energetic goodwill of 800 volunteers. The Tucson Festival of Books is fortunate to have the support of two of the city’s leading institutions among its co-founders, The University of Arizona and The Arizona Daily Star: community-focused organizations who help to further the mission of TFoB.
Fifteen years after its founding, the festival is now a community-wide celebration of literature and one of the largest book festivals in the United States.
Offered free-of-charge, the festival exists to improve literacy rates among children and adults. Proceeds that remain after festival expenses have been paid are contributed to local literacy programs. More than $2.2 million has been raised for local literacy organizations including Reading Seed, Literacy Connects and University of Arizona Literacy Outreach Programs.
When does the Tucson Festival of Books occur?
The Tucson Festival of Books occurs March 15-16, 2025. Festival hours of operation (during festival weekend) are typically 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, except for festival launch activities like our Storybook Parade which begins at 9:00 AM.
How much does it cost to attend the Festival?
The Festival is offered free of charge to the public. Parking at the University of Arizona is complimentary in many surface lots. Event parking charges of $10 per day will be in effect in all available garages and certain surface lots. See map for details. Parking at University of Arizona is cashless and cash will not be accepted.
Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. Both the SunTran bus system and the SunLink street car provide convenient alternatives to parking at the University of Arizona.
What activities happen at the Tucson Festival of Books?
The Tucson Festival of Books is a community-wide celebration of literature. Festival activities include both large and small author panels and workshops on various literary and book-centered topics. Additionally, the festival features hundreds of local and national exhibitors with literacy-focused booths and activities. Attendees can meet their favorite authors, purchase books and book-themed merch, learn about local nonprofits, interact with indie authors, publishers, and much more.