Nine days, over 200 publishers, more than 500 stalls and over 100 literary activities under one roof
Ahmedabad, October 21, 2026: Ahmedabad, a city known for its industrial and commercial vibrancy as well as its rich literary and cultural traditions, is all set to welcome book lovers once again. The National Book Trust, India (NBT-India), under the Union Ministry of Education, in association with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), will organise the Ahmedabad International Book Festival from October 24 to November 1, 2026, at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre.
The festival, now in its third consecutive annual edition, aligns with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to build a knowledge-driven society and promote the Make India Read campaign.
More than 200 publishers from across India will participate in the nine-day festival, offering thousands of books in Gujarati, English, Hindi and several other Indian languages across more than 500 stalls. The event will be spread across three large dome-shaped pavilions.
Entry to the festival will be free, and visitors can enter through Gate No. 4. The festival will remain open daily from 11 am to 10 pm. Visitors will also be able to access the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, a digital library offering more than 7,000 e-books free of charge.
Children at the Centre of the Festival
Young readers will be a major focus of this year’s event. The dedicated children’s pavilion will host activities for students from Classes 1 to 12, including painting, handicrafts, storytelling, theatre, yoga, and sessions based on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The programme will also feature quizzes, poetry recitations, creative activities, interactions with authors, and discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) and reading habits.
Interactions with Renowned Authors and Personalities
The Authors Corner will host interactive sessions with prominent personalities from literature, sports and cinema. The featured guests will include Dr Kumar Pal Desai, Chandrachur Ghosh, Anjum Chopra, Dr Deepa Malik, Manhar Udhas and Bhawana Somaaya.
The Vicharmanthan lecture series will explore a range of subjects, including India’s sporting heritage, higher education, social harmony, history, ancient India, and the role of youth and women in building a developed India.
Workshops for Aspiring Writers
The Gyanganga writing workshops will cover creative writing, ghazal composition, short-story writing, film and theatre scriptwriting, children’s literature, poetry, musical composition and voice-over performance.
Special sessions will also be organised to launch new literary works, giving readers and aspiring writers opportunities to engage with authors and the creative community.
Cultural Evenings to Celebrate Gujarat’s Heritage
Every evening, the festival’s main stage, Rangmanch, will host performances celebrating Gujarat’s cultural traditions through poetry, music and ghazals.
The cultural programme will include a poetry gathering marking the birth centenary of poet Niranjan Bhagat, a musical tribute to Gaurang Vyas, and discussions with renowned writers and artists on the joy and power of reading.
Tributes will also be paid to the pioneering woman writer Kundanika Kapadia and children’s author Padma Shri Harish Nayak on their birth centenaries. A special lecture will be organised to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
In addition, the festival will feature sculpture workshops, heritage art workshops and a startup exhibition.
An Invitation to Book Lovers
Readers, students, families and aspiring writers are invited to participate in the festival and celebrate Ahmedabad’s literary heritage, knowledge, creativity and culture.
Over nine days, the Ahmedabad International Book Festival will bring together books, authors, ideas and cultural experiences at the Sabarmati Riverfront, offering visitors an opportunity to discover new publications, meet creative minds and cultivate a lasting love of reading.
The National Book Trust, India, looks forward to welcoming book lovers to this celebration of literature and knowledge.
