Goteborg Book Fair

Bokmassan

View on map
Arts & CultureGothenburg
Dates24–27 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration4 daysListed event span
CrowdSmall5000
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsThe fair began modestly in 1985 under the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: SEK
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Goteborg Book Fair in Gothenburg

Goteborg Book Fair, also called Bok- och biblioteksmassan, is Scandinavia's largest literary festival and the second largest book fair in Europe after Frankfurt. Held annually in Gothenburg since 1985, it now draws around 100,000 visitors and roughly 900 exhibitors each year during the last week of September.

Goteborg Book Fair traces its origins to 1985, when the first edition, held under the name Bibliotek 85, opened on August 23 that year and drew approximately 5,000 visitors.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The fair began modestly in 1985 under the name Bibliotek 85, drawing about 5,000 visitors as a trade event primarily for librarians and teachers, before growing into an event twenty times that size and evolving into a major public literary festival rather than a purely professional trade fair

02

The mystery stays covered

Its scale, the largest literary festival in Scandinavia and second largest book fair in Europe, places it in direct comparison with Germany's Frankfurt Book Fair

03

The city starts moving

In 2004 the fair was reported to have generated 170 million Swedish kronor in revenue for the city of Gothenburg, underlining its economic significance to the host city alongside its cultural role

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The fair's roots as a librarian and teacher trade event under the name Bibliotek 85 continue to inform its structure

Water and renewal

Living ritual

even as it has grown into a public literary festival

The sacred route

Living ritual

professional and public programming run alongside each other as an ongoing feature of the event

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

24–27 September 2026

Getting around

Use Gothenburg transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing suited to a large indoor exhibition hall event; comfortable footwear is important given the amount of walking involved in navigating roughly 900 exhibitor...

Safety

Goteborg Book Fair is easier when valuables are secure and the group knows where to meet if separated.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Gothenburg, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

SEK

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map57.71 N, 11.97 EOpen in Google Maps

Gothenburg, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden

Nearest airportGOT — Göteborg Landvetter
TransportUse Gothenburg transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Gothenburg, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Gothenburg via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Gothenburg, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable clothing suited to a large indoor exhibition hall event; comfortable footwear is important given the amount of walking involved in navigating roughly 900 exhibitor stands.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Sweden and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Goteborg Book Fair?

Goteborg Book Fair is listed for 24–27 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Goteborg Book Fair take place?

The festival is listed in Gothenburg, Sweden. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Gothenburg, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden

How big is it?

Small: 5000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLgoteborg-bookfair.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates24–27 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Buenos Aires International Book Fair

Past edition: 23 April–11 May 2026

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo pending

Cairo International Book Fair

Past edition: 21 January–3 February 2026

Cairo, Egypt
Photo pending

Pageant of the Masters

Not represented as one continuous festival occurrence

Laguna Beach, United States
Photo pending

Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Past edition: 8–14 June 2025

Annecy, France

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →