Portland Book Festival returns to the Portland Art Museum and neighboring venues on Saturday, November 2, 2024. This daylong event features author discussions, pop-up readings, writing workshops for youth and adults, kids’ story time, an extensive book fair, local food trucks, and more! Here are five tips to ensure you have your best festival experience.
1. Plan Ahead
Wristbands are required for entry into all PBF venues and events. Lines can be long the day of PBF, so we advise picking up your wristbands in advance. Our Advance Box Office at Portland’5 Hatfield Hall is open Wednesday, October 30, Thursday, October 31, and Friday, November 1, from noon–6:00 p.m.
If you plan to purchase or pick up your wristband the day of PBF, please go to the the Box Office tent outside the Portland Art Museum, Mark Building at 1119 SW Park Ave., Portland. The Box Office tent opens at 8:30 a.m. Please plan to arrive at least half an hour before the first event you want to attend.
Wristbands (General Admission passes) are $18 in advance of PBF/ $25 day-of, and include entry into Portland Art Museum and a $5 voucher to spend at the book fair. Passes for youth 17 & under (or with a valid high school ID) are free, as are veterans with military ID. $5 Arts for All passes are available to those with a SNAP/ Oregon Trail card.
2. Revisit an old favorite…
Take a look at the schedule for any authors or events that look familiar, and make note of any must-sees! Fans will recognize the names of Andrew Child, Casey McQuiston, Stephen Graham Jones, Renée Watson, and more!
Portland Book Festival events run from 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. With 100+ presenters in the categories of Young Adult, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and more, there is something for readers of all ages and interests. Take a trip down memory lane with the young bookworm in your life by enjoying some of our children’s author presentations. Review the author list to be sure you get a chance to see any of your favorites!
(Note: the full Portland Book Festival program guide will be available on the day of PBF at all venues, while supplies last.)
All events only require your General Admission wristband for entry (with the exception of the Ani DiFranco and Richard Powers events which require additional tickets). Seating for the general admission events is on a first-come first-served basis, so if there is an event you really want to see, arrive at that venue early and line up. (Note: venues are cleared between events.)
3. … or try out something new
Since your pass is for the entire festival and not for a particular event (with the exception of the Ani DiFranco and Richard Powers add-on tickets, which are required to attend each event and offer guaranteed seating), and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, you may not be able to see each and every event you plan to. But that’s ok! Our number one piece of PBF advice is to be open to the unexpected. With more than 100+ presenters and programming happening all day, check out a panel in a genre you don’t typically read, explore the pop-up readings in Portland Art Museum galleries, or meet your new favorite local press at the book fair. You might discover something you didn’t even know you were looking for; that’s part of the magic of PBF!
Try out screenprinting! Visit the Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC) outside the Fields Ballroom on the first floor of the Portland Art Museum’s Mark Building to make your very own PBF print on the IPRC’s press and create your own keepsake!
Other unique events include:
- For the wildlife people: Atlas Obscura Wild Life: Cara Giaimo with Julie Beeler & Cascades Raptor Center
- For the artsy folks: Art & Time: Carson Ellis & Walter Scott
Also new this year we have Writing Workshops at the Portland Art Museum!
4. SHARE WITH OTHER BOOKWORMS
Travel to the festival with your bookish buddies! Portland Book Festival attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or take public transit. Trimet has a useful trip planner here. If you are traveling by car, you can find directions to the Portland Art Museum at their site here. The museum/festival does NOT have a dedicated parking lot, but lot and street parking are available throughout downtown Portland.
To plan a trip to Portland, visit travelportland.com for information on travel specials and hotel offers.
Once you’re there, share the book love on social media! Stop by the entrance of the Fields Ballroom on the first floor and take a picture at our photo booth. Share your pic on social media with the hashtag #PDXBookFest!
Click here for the Portland Book Festival map
5. HAVE FUN!
Take it all in. There’s plenty of bookish festivities for all kinds of ages and interests, from writing workshops to pop-up readings, and of course, an extensive book fair. And if your To-Be-Read list is already filling up, take a book break! Your General Admission pass also gives you entry into Portland Art Museum (PAM) to view their exhibits. If you work up an appetite reading, grab a bite from one of the food cart vendors located on the SW Park Avenues.
- Asona Cuisine
- Alchemy Sandwich Co.
- Ash Woodfired Pizza
- Cafe de Crepe
- Cousins Maine Lobster
- Nacheaux
- Pidgin Hole
- Spice of Africa
- Tamale Boy
- The Shack
If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, the Stacks Coffeehouse is serving drip coffee in the book fair on the third floor of the Portland Art Museum’s Mark Building.
Food and drink are also available for purchase at Portland’5, The Judy, and The Old Church stages.
BONUS TIPS
Dress for the weather. Some lines for events and tickets will be uncovered and outside, and rain is always in the forecast! Finally, please be kind and respectful. Literary Arts has a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. Access our organization’s anti-harassment policy here.
Check out the Portland Book Festival FAQ page, or contact us at la@literary-arts.org for more information.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, November 2 at Portland Book Festival!
