TIPS & FAQ
The 2026 Savannah Book Festival is scheduled February 5-8, 2026. Our ticketed Headliner Addresses are Thursday, February 5, Friday, February 6 and Sunday, February 8, 2026. Our free Festival Saturday is Saturday, February 7.
The Festival takes place across seven venues in beautiful Historic Downtown Savannah. Our 2026 Headliner Addresses will take place at Trustees Theater. Festival Saturday events will take place at venues around Telfair, Wright, and Chippewa Squares. Those venues include the Jepson Neises Auditorium, Trinity United Methodist Church Sanctuary, the Ben Tucker Theater at the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center, The Savannah Theatre, First Baptist Church Sanctuary, Lutheran Church of the Ascension Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall.
Festival Saturday presentations, February 7, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, are free and open to the public. These free events are made possible through the generous support of individuals and corporations in our community—over 90% of our funding comes from sponsorships and Literati memberships. Additional support comes from tickets to our Headliner Addresses ($30) and commissions from book sales, all of which help underwrite the cost of the Festival.
Learn more about supporting the Savannah Book Festival here.
All books signed at the Festival must be purchased at the Festival or through our partner booksellers. At the time of purchase, book buyers are given a bookmark or receipt that confirms their purchase. For the headlining authors, this bookmark will indicate your place in the signing line following the presentation.
Please visit our Book Sales and Signing page for information on purchasing Festival books and having your favorite author sign your book.
The Savannah Book Festival’s popularity comes from the engaging and intimate experiences our authors provide. During their presentations, authors offer a personal glimpse into their writing lives and creative processes. Audiences can enjoy solo talks, participate in Q&A sessions following each presentation, and, where applicable, attend panel discussions. These interactions give visitors a unique opportunity to connect directly with the authors and their work.
- Plan ahead. Review the schedule and identify backup options in case a venue reaches capacity.
- Download the SBF App and enable notifications. Alerts will notify you when venues are full or when lines are at maximum capacity. Early notice helps you adjust your plans and attend alternate sessions.
- Appreciate our volunteers. They work hard to make the Festival run smoothly—thank them and show patience as they assist attendees.
- Follow venue guidelines for comfort, safety, and enjoyment:
- Each venue has a designated queue area, clearly marked for attendees.
- Entry is allowed after the previous presentation has ended and the venue has cleared.
- Arrive at least five minutes before a presentation begins. Late entry is not permitted to respect the author and the venue.
- If you wish to stay for the next session, ushers will ask you to move forward so seats can be accurately counted for those waiting.
- Saving seats is not allowed.
- When leaving a venue temporarily for the restroom, obtain a pass from an usher to ensure re-entry.
- Food and beverages are not permitted in church venues or the Jepson Museum. The Savannah Theatre has a concession stand where food and drinks are allowed.
Following these tips will help you enjoy a smooth, memorable Festival experience while respecting fellow attendees and presenters.
Accessibility (compliant with ADA) passes are available at the Information Tent in Telfair Square for individuals with mobility needs. The passes provide priority entry to Festival Saturday venues and preferred seating. The same courtesy is extended to a companion of the pass holder. All Festival venues are accessible to all.
ASL Interpreters are available at select venues throughout Festival Saturday, and at all Headliner Addresses. To request an Interpreter at a specific Festival Saturday event, please contact SBF by January 13th at [email protected].
Public restrooms are available at The Jepson Center, the Cultural Arts Center, and The Savannah Theatre. Due to the nature of historic plumbing, restrooms are not available in the historic venues used for the majority of our Author Presentations. Royal Restrooms are conveniently located in around all three squares Wright, Chippewa, and Telfair for your use. For more information, please visit our Accessibility page.
The Savannah Book Festival would not be possible without the hardwork and dedication of our many wonderful volunteers! Please visit our volunteer page to learn more about the many ways you can become a part of the SBF family. We welcome your interest and look forward to meeting you!
If you’d like to help us make the Savannah Book Festival a perennial fixture in Savannah’s cultural life, we would love to have your support. Our Literati members – who give at the $200 and $450 levels – receive wonderful benefits such as advance ticket purchases, priority seating at ticketed events, and a 10% discount on Festival book sales. Our newest Platinum Literati level includes a dedicated line for entrance to Festival Saturday presentations. Please visit our Literati page to learn more. Sponsorships are another wonderful way to get involved, with additional benefits that include a Meet the Author party, the opportunity to host an author, and preferred seating at all events. Visit our Sponsorship page to learn more.
We regularly brag about the fantastic authors who are a part of SBF on our Facebook page, X and Instagram. We also keep you posted on upcoming events, ticket sale dates and schedule changes. We begin announcing the headline address and Festival Saturday authors in the Fall. Be sure to follow us so that you’ll be in the know.
One of the best ways to be part of the SBF community is through our monthly electronic newsletter. Please see the bottom of the page to sign up today!
For updated information leading up to festival weekend as well as live updates during the festival, download our app!
The 2026 Savannah Book Festival schedule will release in December can be found here.
Yes! The Savannah Book Festival app puts Festival information in the palm of your hand. It has schedules, author information, maps, parking information, and more! You can also opt-in to receive push notifications for festival reminders, and live festival updates, including when venues have reached capacity and you will need to look for an alternate presentation. The app will go live in January.
SBF recommends that you wear comfortable shoes for walking between venues and bring layers to prepare for the different temperatures of the buildings.
There are an array of lovely and popular hotels in the Historic Downtown Savannah area. You can find more information on our accommodations page.
February in Savannah is mild, with highs in the mid 60s and lows in the mid 40s. It is usually sunny with a few rainy days.
