Barnes and Noble Book Festival Date Time and Location
The Barnes and Noble Book Festival is a celebration of stories, authors, and readers coming together. Hosted at select Barnes & Noble locations, with New York City’s Union Square store as the centerpiece, the festival brings two full days of panels, signings, giveaways, and exclusive experiences. From thrilling fantasy tales to touching love stories, attendees get the chance to meet bestselling authors, explore new releases, and enjoy the magic of books in a lively, community-driven atmosphere, much like the excitement people feel when attending the Light the Knights Festival.
What Type of Festival it is?
The Barnes and Noble Book Festival is a literary event. It focuses on books, writers, and the people who read them. It runs for two days and features panels, author signings, and special activities. The event also highlights upcoming releases and exclusive editions available only during the festival.
This festival is different from other cultural events because its main focus is on books. Instead of music or art exhibits, attendees come to hear authors speak, take part in discussions, and connect with fellow readers. It gives fans a chance to see the faces behind the stories they love.
Locations
The main Barnes and Noble Book Festival is hosted at the Union Square store in New York City. Other Barnes & Noble locations across the U.S. also hold smaller events tied to the festival, giving readers in different regions a chance to enjoy the experience.
| Location | City | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Union Square Store | New York City | 33 East 17th Street, New York, NY |
| The Grove | Los Angeles | 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA |
| Oak Brook Center | Chicago | 297 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL |
| Fifth Avenue Store | Seattle | 600 Pine Street, Seattle, WA |
| Buckhead Store | Atlanta | 2900 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA |
Union Square continues to be the central hub for the full festival, but these additional stores make the event accessible to readers across the country.
Who Organizes This Festival?
The Barnes and Noble Book Festival is organized by Barnes & Noble, one of the largest bookstore chains in the United States. The company works closely with publishing partners to bring popular authors to the event.
The festival includes coordination between the store’s staff, marketing teams, and event planners. Publishers also play a large role by offering advance copies of books, setting up booths, and sending authors for signings. The careful planning ensures that the event runs smoothly and offers something memorable for every visitor.
Motive Behind the Festival
The main motive of the Barnes and Noble Book Festival is to celebrate books and inspire reading. Barnes & Noble uses the event to connect readers with authors and to highlight the importance of literature in everyday life.
Another goal is to promote new books and introduce readers to titles they may not find otherwise. Publishers often use the festival as a launch point for upcoming works. Readers get early access to stories that may become the next big bestsellers.
The festival also helps to strengthen community bonds. By gathering book lovers in one space, it creates a cultural experience that goes beyond shopping. People leave the event with new friendships, reading lists, and memories of meeting their favorite authors.
Where to Buy Tickets?
Tickets for the Barnes and Noble Book Festival are available on Eventbrite. Tickets are required for both days of the event.
Day one, known as B&N Book Con, often has time slot tickets. This system controls entry numbers and ensures the store does not become overcrowded. Each slot gives attendees access to publisher booths, merchandise, and free giveaways.
Day two includes author signings and panel discussions. Tickets for these are sold per event. For example, if a reader wants to meet a favorite author, they buy a ticket that includes a book and access to the signing line. Panels also require tickets, which include entry and sometimes a gift card or signed edition.
| Ticket Type | What It Includes | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Book Con Slot | Access to booths, giveaways, and activities | Eventbrite / B&N site |
| Author Signing | Copy of book + entry to signing line | Eventbrite / B&N site |
| Panel Discussion | Entry + possible book or gift card | Eventbrite / B&N site |
Tickets sell out quickly, especially for big-name authors. It is best to buy them as soon as they are announced.
Date and Time
The Barnes and Noble Book Festival usuwas already held in March 2025 at the Union Square store in New York City. The first day, called B&N Book Con, focuses on giveaways, early releases, and book previews. The second day is filled with author signings and panel discussions. Each activity has its own time slot, and tickets are sold separately for entry.
| Day | Date | Time Slots Available | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | March 14, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (hourly slots) | Book Con with giveaways and publisher booths |
| Day 2 | March 15, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Author signings and panel discussions |
The first day is more casual with flexible entry slots, while the second day has structured schedules. Attendees must arrive on time for their ticketed session. If someone misses their slot, re-entry is usually not allowed, so planning ahead is important
Author Appearances at the 2025
Barnes and Noble Book Festival ran for two days. The first day featured publisher booths, early previews, and surprise author appearances. The second day focused on confirmed signings, with Laurie Gilmore, Ashley Poston, Jeneva Rose, and Julie Soto meeting readers, signing books, and celebrating their latest works.
| Day | Time | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Afternoon & Evening | Publisher Guests & Surprise Authors |
| Day 2 | Morning to Afternoon | Laurie Gilmore |
| Day 2 | Morning to Afternoon | Ashley Poston |
| Day 2 | Morning to Afternoon | Jeneva Rose |
| Day 2 | Morning to Afternoon | Julie Soto |
Conclusion
The Barnes and Noble Book Festival has become a key literary event that brings readers and writers together every year. The 2025 festival has already ended, but it left behind memories of panels, signings, and community connections that will inspire future gatherings. Just like cultural events such as the Upheaval Festival bring people together around music, this book festival unites people around literature. Readers can look forward to the next edition, where once again books will take center stage and remind everyone why stories matter.
