What: Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest
When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Herron High School
110 E 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
On October 3, Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest celebrates the power of writing that grows in the Midwest.
Hosted in partnership with local poets Mitchell L.H. Douglas and Chantel Massey, the festival takes place on the Old Northside of Indianapolis and includes: a book fair with local booksellers; conversations about the literary Midwest; local and regional author readings; opportunities to connect with publishers and literary magazines; workshops led by experienced writers; bookish activities for all ages; and food trucks, music, games, and prizes.
More Info: https://indianahumanities.org/program/proof/
What: Louisville Book Festival
When: October 24, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Kentucky International Convention Center
221 S. 4th St
Louisville, KY 40202
The 2026 Louisville Book Festival will be held in downtown Louisville, KY on October 24th from 10 am to 5 pm at the Kentucky International Convention Center. This year will continue to give us the opportunity to celebrate the city’s culture and resiliency, while striving towards the goal that all children have access to books in their home. Highway 65 is the divide between east and west Louisville. West of 65, there are no book stores which greatly reduces access to books for our children and youth, creating a book desert. Our goal for the Louisville Book Festival is to ensure every child that attends the Book Festival leaves with at least one free age appropriate book that they get to select themselves. To date we have given away more than 20,000 books directly to kids and schools. We will continue to work on the goal of getting books in to the hands of children year round through our programs like It Pays to Read.
More Info: https://www.louisvillebookfestival.com/about/about-the-festival/
