Tips & FAQ

The Festival takes place across multiple venues across the beautiful Historic Downtown Savannah. Check back soon for more information about specific venues.

Festival Saturday presentations are free and open to the public. Festival Saturday costs are underwritten by the generous donations of individuals and corporations in our community.

Headliner events are ticketed at a nominal cost.

Check back soon! More information will become available closer to the Festival.

All books signed at the Festival must be purchased at SBF or through our partner booksellers. At the time of purchase, book buyers are given a bookmark that confirms their purchase. For the headlining authors, this bookmark will also indicate your place in the line.

Please visit our Book Sales and Signing page for information on purchasing SBF books and having your favorite author sign your book.

The popularity of SBF is due to the fact that our presenting authors offer audiences an engaging and intimate peek into their writing life. Their solo performances grant visitors a personal account of their creative process. Since we have no panels or symposia, our authors are free to communicate directly with their audience both in their presentation and with the Q&A following their talk.

To ensure the comfort, safety and enjoyment of the thousands of people who join us for Festival Saturday, we ask that you respect our guidelines outlined here:

• Each venue will have a designated queue area that is clearly marked for attendees in line to wait in.
• Attendees will be allowed into venues AFTER the previous presentation has completed and the venue has emptied.
• PLAN TO ARRIVE AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES BEFORE AN AUTHOR’S PRESENTATION. Once a session has begun no one is permitted entrance into the venue. This policy is adhered to as a courtesy to the author speaking, as well as at the venue’s request.
• Attendees wishing to remain in a venue for the next presentation will be asked to move forward so that the ushers can accurately count available seats for those waiting in line.
• In fairness to those waiting in line, saving seats is not permitted.
• When leaving a venue to use a restroom, please secure a pass from an usher to ensure re-entry.
• Attendees are asked not to bring or consume food and beverages in the church venues and the Jepson Museum. The Savannah Theatre does have a concession stand selling food and drink.

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.

Public restrooms are available at The Jepson 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 all three squares for your use.

The Savannah Book Festival wouldn’t be possible without the hard work 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 $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. Please visit our LITERATI page to learn more.

We regularly brag about the fantastic authors who are a part of SBF on our Facebook page, Twitter 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!

You can find the schedule here.

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.