L.A. Times Festival of Books Kicks Off at USC

Thousands of book lovers filled the University of Southern California campus on April 18, 2026, marking the opening day of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, the nation’s largest literary gathering. The two-day event, held annually in Southern California, drew record-breaking crowds eager to attend author panels, book signings, and cultural programming across multiple venues on the USC grounds.

Festival organizers reported attendance surpassed 150,000 visitors on the first day alone, exceeding pre-event projections and continuing a trend of growing public interest in literary festivals across the United States. The festival featured over 500 authors, poets, and illustrators participating in more than 300 scheduled events, including discussions on fiction, memoir, science fiction, and children’s literature.

Notable highlights included appearances by Grammy-winning musician Lionel Richie and actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who participated in separate conversations about their recent memoirs. Richie discussed his autobiography Lionel: The Autobiography, reflecting on his four-decade music career and personal journey, while Parker spoke about Sarah Jessica Parker: A Life in Style, touching on her experiences in fashion, film, and motherhood.

The festival also hosted a special showcase titled “Hope, Courage, and Reckoning,” which highlighted new works addressing social justice, identity, and resilience. Curated by the Los Angeles Times Books section, the exhibit featured debut novels and memoirs from emerging writers across Southern California, with several authors participating in live readings and Q&A sessions.

In addition to celebrity panels, the festival emphasized community engagement through family-friendly programming. Story time stages welcomed young readers with interactive readings from popular children’s authors, while writing workshops offered aspiring authors guidance on publishing, editing, and finding literary agents.

Representatives from the University of California, Riverside, confirmed that several faculty members and alumni would participate in festival events over the weekend, including panels on Chicano literature and environmental storytelling. Their involvement underscored the festival’s role as a platform for academic and regional voices in contemporary literature.

Booksellers and independent publishers reported strong sales throughout the day, with many noting increased demand for titles by participating authors. Festival bookstores, operated by local independent shops, saw brisk traffic in sections dedicated to fiction, poetry, and Southern California history.

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, now in its 29th year, continues to serve as a major cultural institution in Los Angeles, bringing together readers, writers, and industry professionals in a celebration of storytelling. Organizers confirmed the event would conclude on April 19 with evening performances and a final series of author discussions.