Copley Square, October 15, 2025
News Summary
The Boston Book Festival will take place at Copley Square, featuring over 200 authors in a variety of genres. With events spanning from literary discussions to children’s programming, the festival aims to engage both new and longtime readers. Special ticketed events will feature prominent authors such as Julia Quinn and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Attendees can expect free daytime programming and interactive activities designed for families.
Boston — The Boston Book Festival (BBF) is entering its 17th year and will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, with event hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Copley Square. The festival is known for its free and accessible programming and will feature literary discussions and presentations from over 200 authors across genres including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s literature.
Key details and headline programming
The event lineup includes over 70 presentations and discussions across multiple venues in the Copley Square area. A special evening with author Julia Quinn will be held on Thursday, October 23, and tickets for the Julia Quinn event will be available for $30 through the festival’s website. Andrew Ross Sorkin will speak on Friday, October 24, about his book “1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in History—and How It Shattered a Nation.” Tickets for the Andrew Ross Sorkin event will be available for $60.
Venues and program scope
The heart of the festival includes over 70 presentations and discussions across multiple venues. Participating venues include the Boston Public Library, Old South Church, Trinity Church, Goethe-Institut, and the French Library. Keynote authors and genre-focused panels are scheduled throughout the day to engage longtime fans and new readers alike.
Children’s programming
The JustKids! event will return, focusing on literary engagement for children. The JustKids! event includes interactive activities and author talks designed to introduce younger audiences to reading and storytelling in an accessible way.
Tickets, schedule, and access
Most of the festival’s programming is free and designed to be accessible. Special ticketed evening events are offered separately. A full festival schedule will be published in September, and additional information is available on the festival’s website, bostonbookfest.org. The festival is geared towards both longtime fans and new readers.
Organization and purpose
Jenny Dworkin is the executive director of the Boston Book Festival. The festival aims to inspire through stories that challenge and innovate, and its programming prioritizes conversation, community engagement, and a range of literary voices.
What to expect on site
Attendees should expect multiple, simultaneous author presentations and panels, opportunities to purchase tickets for evening events in advance, and child-focused activities through the JustKids! program. The festival’s mix of free daytime programming and ticketed evening events is intended to make much of the content widely available while preserving space for ticketed, higher-capacity sessions.
How to find more information
A full festival schedule will be published in September. Tickets for the Julia Quinn event will be available for $30 through the festival’s website. Tickets for the Andrew Ross Sorkin event will be available for $60. Additional information is available on the festival’s website, bostonbookfest.org.
FAQ
When will the festival take place?
The festival will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
What are the event hours?
Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where is the festival located?
The location is Copley Square.
How many authors will participate?
It will feature literary discussions and presentations from over 200 authors.
Is the programming free?
The festival is known for its free and accessible programming.
Are there special ticketed events?
A special evening with author Julia Quinn will be held on Thursday, October 23.
How much do tickets cost for the Julia Quinn event?
Tickets for the Julia Quinn event will be available for $30 through the festival’s website.
When will Andrew Ross Sorkin speak and what is the topic?
Andrew Ross Sorkin will speak on Friday, October 24, about his book “1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in History—and How It Shattered a Nation.”
How much do tickets cost for the Andrew Ross Sorkin event?
Tickets for the Andrew Ross Sorkin event will be available for $60.
How many presentations will there be and where?
The heart of the festival includes over 70 presentations and discussions across multiple venues.
Which venues are participating?
Participating venues include the Boston Public Library, Old South Church, Trinity Church, Goethe-Institut, and the French Library.
Will there be programming for children?
The JustKids! event will return, focusing on literary engagement for children.
What does the JustKids! event include?
The JustKids! event includes interactive activities and author talks.
When will the full schedule be published?
A full festival schedule will be published in September.
Who leads the festival?
Jenny Dworkin is the executive director of the Boston Book Festival.
What is the festival’s purpose?
The festival aims to inspire through stories that challenge and innovate.
Where can I find more information?
Additional information is available on the festival’s website, bostonbookfest.org.
Quick reference
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Boston Book Festival (BBF) — entering its 17th year |
| Date | Saturday, October 25, 2025 |
| Hours | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Location | Copley Square |
| Authors | Over 200 authors across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s literature |
| Major ticketed events | Julia Quinn — Thursday, October 23 ($30); Andrew Ross Sorkin — Friday, October 24 ($60) |
| Venues | Boston Public Library; Old South Church; Trinity Church; Goethe-Institut; French Library |
| Children’s program | JustKids! event with interactive activities and author talks |
| Schedule release | A full festival schedule will be published in September |
| Website | bostonbookfest.org |
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Additional Resources
- Boston Globe: Boston Author Events through October 18
- Boston.com: Boston Book Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup
- Boston Globe: Boston Author Events through July 19
- Boston Globe: Boston Author Events through September 20
- Boston Globe: Boston Author Events through August 9
- Wikipedia: Boston Book Festival
- Google Search: Boston Book Festival 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston Book Festival
- Google News: Boston Book Festival 2025
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