Our events, classes, and seminars bring the community together to hear, learn, and discuss the most compelling issues and ideas of our day. We hope you will join us in our community space and bookstore at 716 SE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR, online, and at partnering venues across Portland and Oregon.
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT Please be aware that third-party sellers often re-sell tickets to our events. Unless you purchased your tickets directly through Literary Arts or Portland'5, we cannot guarantee these tickets will work for entry. Literary Arts is honored to present #1 New York Times bestselling author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates, in conversation
It’s Literary Arts’ 40th anniversary—and we want to celebrate this transformational moment with you! Mark your calendars and join us as we turn the page and begin the next chapter at Literary Arts’ annual fundraising gala, Bookmark, on Thursday, October 24. Mingle with old friends, book lovers, literary creatives, and community changemakers as we celebrate
Celebrate 10 years of Literary Arts hosting Portland Book Festival by joining us on the evening of Friday, November 1, for an exclusive preview of the exhibitor fair. Enjoy complimentary drinks
Six Oregon Book Award authors inspire new jazz compositions in Playing With Words. Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble (PJCE) and Literary Arts will present six commissioned works of music inspired by
Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco discusses her picture book, Show Up and Vote, with OPB journalist Prakruti Bhatt. Note: This event requires an add-on ticket in addition to the General Admission Festival Pass
Pulitzer Prize–winning author Richard Powers discusses his new novel, Playground, with Andrew Proctor, executive director of Literary Arts. Note: This event requires an add-on ticket in addition to the General Admission Festival Pass (wristband)
Literary Arts and The Moth are bringing a new lineup of storytellers to Portland. The Mainstage is the quintessential Moth experience, a two-act show—featuring a musical act—where the storytellers and a notable host share true personal stories, without notes
Verselandia! is the annual youth poetry slam championship presented by Literary Arts. It is the Grand Slam for the winners from individual school slams hosted by public high school librarians across the Portland region. Finalist poets compete for five great prizes. Members of the public are invited to cheer on the youth poets as they
Join us for an evening honoring our state's most accomplished writers in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young readers, and drama.
Literary Arts is pleased to present Elizabeth Gilbert as the first speaker of the 2025-26 Portland Arts & Lectures series. Click here to view the full lineup. Please note: a subscription to the entire 2025-26 Portland Arts & Lectures series is required to attend this event. Subscriptions are now SOLD OUT at all levels.
Since moving into our new permanent headquarters, a historic building turned bookstore and community space in Portland’s Central Eastside, we’ve been thinking a lot about the spaces we create and the communities we build. One thing is clear: when we share stories and experiences all together, our connections drive action and change. We invite you
Literary Arts is thrilled to present Timothy Snyder, bestselling author of On Tyranny. Literary Arts’ Executive Director Andrew Proctor will be in conversation with Snyder about his latest work, On Freedom at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Timothy Snyder has been called “the leading interpreter of our dark times.” As a historian, he has given us startling reinterpretations of political
Literary Arts is honored to present ‘A Conversation with Kamala Harris,’ November 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the historic Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, for the only Pacific Northwest stop on her 107 DAYS book tour. During this special event, Harris will share what she saw, what she learned, and what it will take to
Portland Book Festival's 11th year kicks off on Friday, November 7, with an evening of special giveaways and exclusive offers at Readers Night. It's the ideal opportunity for literary lovers—beat
Portland Book Festival, presented by Wells Fargo, returns Saturday, November 8, 2025 to ten stages at six partner venues in downtown Portland’s south Park Blocks. General Admission Festival passes are
Literary Arts is thrilled to present Rebecca Yarros at the 2025 Portland Book Festival. Note: This event requires an add-on ticket in addition to the General Admission Festival Pass (wristband)
Literary Arts is thrilled to present Stacey Abrams at the 2025 Portland Book Festival. Note: This event requires an add-on ticket in addition to the General Admission Festival Pass (wristband)
Percival Everett appears on November 12, 2025 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall as part of the Portland Arts & Lectures series.
This December, The Moth’s anticipated Mainstage season comes to Portland in partnership with Literary Arts. When’s the last time you did something… daring? This Fall, The Moth Mainstage is coming to Portland for one unforgettable evening. Five storytellers will explore the theme of “DARING,” with true and personal stories told live and without notes.
Colm Tóibín appears at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on January 15, 2025 as part of the Portland Arts & Lectures series.
Join National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett and Caldecott Honor artist Carson Ellis for a grown-up conversation about kids’ books and new tellings of old tales. About the book: Once upon a time, there was a clever girl with a not-so-clever father. When her father claims she can spin straw into gold,
Imani Perry appears at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 12, 2026, as part of the Portland Arts & Lectures series.
The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe are thrilled to welcome Lit Mic for a very special immersive writing workshop! Participants will search for clues, interview witnesses, and conduct their own investigation via creative writing prompts and sharing to solve the murder. This is a ticketed event. Tickets available below. About Lit Mic: Portland Lit Mic is
Join us to hand-sew decorative plush to welcome the new leaves with our friends from SCRAP PDX! Sew spring flowers, birds, raindrops, and more. ✨ Bring a friend! Make a friend! Grab a beverage, browse the books, and gather round to sew some sweet spring things to celebrate the equinox. Traceable templates & embroidery stitch
Literary Arts is proud to present the culminating event of Multnomah County Library’s Everybody Reads program on March 12, 2026, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Justice Jackson will be joined in conversation by author Renée Watson. BAG POLICY FOR THIS EVENT: Guests may bring clear plastic bags only, not
The Literary Arts Bookstore is thrilled to welcome poet Maggie Smith to celebrate her latest collection of poetry, 'A Suit Or a Suitcase'. Tickets are required for this event, and include a copy of the book.
Join the team behind the popular NPR podcast Planet Money to celebrate the publication of their new book, PLANET MONEY: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life. Book author and longtime Planet Money contributor Alex Mayyasi and host Kenny Malone will bring Planet Money’s signature brand of storytelling to the stage and discuss some highlights from the
Join us for an evening honoring our state's most accomplished writers in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young readers, and graphic literature.
Patrick Radden Keefe appears at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on April 23, 2026, as part of the Portland Arts & Lectures series.
Verselandia! is the annual youth poetry slam championship presented by Literary Arts. It is the Grand Slam for the winners from individual school slams hosted by public high school librarians across the Portland region. Finalist poets compete for five great prizes. Members of the public are invited to cheer on the youth poets as they
The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe is thrilled to partner with SCRAP PDX for monthly crafting events. Stay tuned for details on this month's crafts! Hand-sew decorative plush to celebrate the most important meal of the day... BREAKFAST! Sew felt eggs, pancakes, waffles, bacon, coffee, and more. ✨ Bring a friend! Make a friend! Grab
NEW DATE! The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe is thrilled to partner with SCRAP PDX for monthly crafting events. Join us at The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe to hand-sew decorative plush to celebrate the start of PICNIC season! Sew felt berries, sandwiches, flowers, and more; customize a felt charcuterie board! Bring a friend! Make
Join us at The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe to hand-sew decorative plush to celebrate SWIMMING season with our friends from SCRAP PDX! Sure, Portland isn't a beach town, but we sure love a good "beach day" on a riverfront. Sew felt shells, fish, beach balls, and more! ✨ Bring a friend! Make a friend!
Consider the Picture Book invites adults to reexamine great literature hiding in plain sight: the children’s picture book. What makes for a great picture book? Why are they so fun to read aloud and what can we learn about this unique and experimental art form through other celebrated art forms, such as poetry and song?
Literary Arts is pleased to present New York Times bestselling author Patti Smith for An Evening of Songs & Stories, featuring a live performance and conversation about her new memoir, Bread of Angels. About the book: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A radiant new memoir from artist and writer Patti Smith, author of the National Book Award winner Just Kids A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: TIME, NPR, THE
Literary Arts is pleased to present George Saunders as the first speaker of the 2026-27 Portland Arts & Lectures series. Please note: a subscription to the entire 2026-27 Portland Arts & Lectures series is required to attend this event. Click here to subscribe.
Literary Arts and The Reser are thrilled to present Min Jin Lee, author of the beloved novels Pachinko (an international bestseller and National Book Award finalist) and Free Food for Millionaires, for a conversation about her new book, American Hagwon. American Hagwon is both “a classic in the making and a novel distinctly of our moment, one that helps us find
Join us at The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe to hand-sew decorative plush to celebrate spooky season! Sew felt pumpkins, ghosts, witch hats, candy, black cats, and more! ✨ Bring a friend! Make a friend! Grab a beverage, browse the books, and gather round to hand-sew some chilling charms! Traceable templates & embroidery stitch printouts
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