Waverly is getting its book-filled block party back next fall, with the Baltimore Book Festival returning to the neighborhood the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13. The two-day literary fair is set to bring author talks, book signings, workshops, and family programming to blocks around Waverly Main Street. Organizers say admission will be free, with vendors and local bookstores participating across multiple neighborhood venues.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott included the festival dates in the city's 2026 events announcement and named the Mayor's Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment (MOACE) as the lead organizer, according to the City of Baltimore. The city said it will release more details next year and is rolling out an updated public special-events calendar to help community organizers plan around major festivals.
The city's Board of Estimates signed off on an April 1 request to allocate $450,000 to help pay for the book festival, SAIL250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore, and other cultural programming for the July 31 through June 30, 2028, funding period, according to Baltimore Fishbowl. Briefing materials identified the Baltimore Civic Fund as the fiscal administrator for those funds.
Councilmember Odette Ramos' office confirmed by email that the 2026 festival "will be held on the second weekend of the month, Sept. 12 and 13, in the same location as last year," and Ramos wrote, "Yes we are hosting the Book Festival in Waverly, and my office and the Mayor's Office along with book stores in the area are organizing," per Baltimore Fishbowl. Last year's festival footprint ran along 30th through 32nd Streets between Greenmount Avenue and Barclay Street and included events at area bookstores, Peabody Heights Brewery, and the Waverly branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
What to Expect
Recent editions and the festival website point to a mix of author panels, workshops, youth programming, and vendors, with reading tents and stages spread through Waverly. According to the Baltimore Book Festival, previous lineups have included dozens of authors and multi-stage programming, and organizers say they will announce the 2026 lineup closer to the fall.
City Takes Over Production
The move to MOACE follows a wider reshuffling of city arts programming after the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) went through contract changes and leadership turmoil in 2024, according to The Baltimore Banner. City officials say the shift is meant to centralize planning and provide more consistent public safety and operations support for major events.
How to Attend and Stay Updated
Organizers expect to publish a full schedule, vendor list, and volunteer sign-ups in the months ahead on the festival website and through city channels. For updates and details on volunteering or exhibiting, check the Baltimore Book Festival and the City of Baltimore news page.
