The 2025 Festival involves an amazing lineup of 50 speakers, including NY Times Bestsellers and winners of national book awards. Their presentations cover fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s books. The festival always includes outdoor performances, a book-art exhibit, food trucks, and exhibitor tents with 40+ publishers, nonprofits, and individual authors.

The Kansas Book Festival is for all ages and interests, and all events are free.  A number of presentations and performances are aimed at young attendees!  For instance, we host the youth awards of the Kansas Authors Club, a high school open mic, and a presentation by the winner of the Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award.  We also offer outdoor children’s activities in partnership with the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center and the Mulvane Art Lab.  Come join the fun!

Schedule of Events:

9 am - Topeka Suzuki Strings (children on strings)
10 am - Zydeco Tougeau (Louisiana-style dance music)
11 am - Sally and the Hurts (Americana roots music)
12 pm - Jed Zeplin (Bluegrass music)
1 pm - Elijah Wald and Patrick O’Connor (Blues music)
2 pm - Kyler Carpenter and Kid Performers