Kentucky Book Festival: Louisville Edition

A program of Kentucky Humanities, the Kentucky Book Festival: Louisville Edition is the newest chapter in the Kentucky Book Festival tradition!

A vibrant celebration of reading, writing, and creativity, this exciting event expands the renowned Kentucky Book Festival — traditionally held each fall in Lexington — into Louisville for the very first time.

Join us on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Paristown for a full day of author talks, book signings, and community fun.

We’re grateful to Carmichael’s Bookstore and Paristown for helping bring the Louisville Edition to life!

➔ Learn more about the Kentucky Book Festival: Louisville Edition here.

***more info on Carmichael’s Bookstore website

About the Kentucky Book Festival: Louisville Edition

Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Paristown

For the first time ever, we’re brining a part of the this dynamic festival to Louisville this summer!

What Can I Expect at Kentucky Book Festival: Louisville?

• Meet Authors and Illustrators: Interact with 30-40 regional and national authors, editors, and illustrators, discover new voices, and engage in conversations about literature and creativity.
• Buy Books from a Favorite Kentucky Independent Bookstore: Our bookselling partner, Carmichael’s Bookstore will have a diverse selection of books across a wide range of genres for you to browse and add to your collection.
• Enjoy Inspiring Events and Interesting Discussions: While the kids participate in some fun activities and storytime, the adults can listen in to talks led by authors and industry professionals.
• Family-Friendly Fun: There will be activities and programs for book lovers of all ages – perfect for a day out with family and friends. Children under 14 years of age will receive one free book of their choice from participating children’s and young adult authors.
• Free and Open to the Public: Kentucky Book Festival: Louisville Edition is completely free, with no invitations or tickets required to attend.

How Is This Event Different from the Kentucky Book Festival in Lexington?

Building upon the celebrated 44 year tradition of the Kentucky Book Festival, the Louisville Edition will bring a fresh, new experience to the Commonwealth. It will complement our flagship event in Lexington on Saturday, November 1, 2025. Here’s what makes the Louisville Edition unique:

• Location: The Louisville Edition takes place in the vibrant Paristown, offering a lively urban setting perfect for a summer festival. The Kentucky Book Festival will still happen this fall in Lexington.
• Timing: The Louisville Edition occurs in June. The Kentucky Book Festival will take place on Saturday, November 1.
• Focus: The Louisville Edition offers a similar experience to the Lexington flagship festival, but is tailored specifically for the Louisville community, with programming and author features unique to the Louisville Edition.
• Smaller Scale with Big Impact: While the Kentucky Book Festival in Lexington draws thousands of attendees and features over 150 authors and illustrators, the Louisville Edition focuses on creating an intimate and engaging environment with a curated selection of authors and illustrators.

Founded as the Kentucky Book Fair by journalist Carl West in 1981, the Kentucky Book Festival has long been dedicated to connecting writers and readers in meaningful ways. Originally held in Frankfort for more than 30 years, West’s vision of a statewide celebration of books and authors continues to thrive. As the Kentucky Book Festival expanded and rebranded, it became a beloved program of Kentucky Humanities.

This year, we’re excited to bring the Kentucky Book Festival experience to Louisville with the Louisville Edition, a vibrant new chapter in the festival’s legacy. While the Louisville Edition is a unique event, it is fueled by the same passion for literature that Carl West established so many years ago.

Learn more about the history of the Kentucky Book Festival.