The Gaithersburg Book Festival is a free, single-day literary festival held on the third Saturday each May in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Launched in 2010, it brings together dozens of authors, publishers, and independent presses for panels, signings, and readings, drawing thousands of readers to a city-sponsored celebration of books.
The Gaithersburg Book Festival began as a civic experiment.
The festival was conceived by then-City Council member Jud Ashman, now Gaithersburg's mayor, with backing from then-Mayor Sidney Katz, the City Council, and the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee
It ran on the grounds of Gaithersburg City Hall from 2010 through 2019, went virtual in 2020 during the pandemic, and has been held at the city's Bohrer Park since 2021
Over the years it has hosted a striking range of literary names, including Alice McDermott, Dave Barry, Laura Lippman, and Madeline Miller, while remaining completely free to attend, which is unusual among festivals of its scale
The festival's defining ritual is the author signing line at the sales tent: attendees buy a book
then queue to have it personalized by the author immediately after their panel
The Children's Village has featured recurring costumed-character meet-and-greets as a standing feature for younger attendees
Dates TBA · Usually May
Gaithersburg Book Festival is easier when the venue, route and way back from Gaithersburg are chosen before the day starts.
Casual outdoor daytime attire is appropriate, since this is a May event on open park grounds with no formal dress expectations. Comfortable walking shoes matter since the festival spans...
At Gaithersburg Book Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.
For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Gaithersburg.
Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.
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Gaithersburg Book Festival is listed for Past edition: 16 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.
The festival is listed in Gaithersburg, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.
One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.
Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.
Gaithersburg, MD
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