The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is back at the University of Southern California this weekend, turning the University Park campus into a two-day maze of author panels, signings, food demos and live performances. Organizers are expecting more than 550 authors and storytellers, general admission is free, and weekend crowds could hit roughly 160,000 people. Translation: this is not the weekend to break in new shoes. Pack comfortable kicks, a sturdy tote and at least a loose plan for which stages you want to stake out.
Festival basics
According to Los Angeles Times coverage, the festival is all-ages and sprawls across campus with dozens of booths, author interviews, panel conversations and in-person signings. Outdoor programming is free, while some indoor sessions require reservations or tickets. Organizers are bracing for big crowds, so the most buzzed-about talks are expected to fill up early.
Where and when
The festival runs Saturday and Sunday, April 18–19, across USC’s University Park campus, with a mix of outdoor stages and indoor rooms, per USC. The university’s schedule highlights performances on the USC Stage and panels in venues such as Wallis Annenberg Hall, along with curated author signings at the USC Arts Now tent. Skim the program before you go so you can map out your must-see panels and preferred signing spots.
Getting there and parking
Transit is the low-stress move. The festival guide points visitors to the Metro E Line (Gold) to Expo Park/USC or the J Line (Silver) to the 37th St/USC stop. Event parking is cashless and runs about $25 in several campus garages, and many nearby lots either require prepayment or operate on a first-come, first-served basis. For the fine print on logistics, including ticket rules for indoor events and how seat reservations work, check the Los Angeles Times festival guide.
Who’s on the bill and what’s new
This year’s lineup blends literary heavyweights with pop-culture celebrities. Local and national coverage notes scheduled appearances by Lionel Richie, Sarah Jessica Parker and Larry David among hundreds of participants. News reports also point to a new Audiobook and Podcast Stage presented by Spotify, which will spotlight narrators, podcast hosts and audiobook talent alongside traditional author conversations. On top of that, expect cookbook demos, children’s programming, page-to-screen discussions and genre-focused stages scattered across the grounds.
Tips for attendees
For any ticketed indoor events, reserve ahead or plan to line up early. Seats are often released to standby lines close to start time, and the most in-demand rooms fill quickly. Bring water, dress in layers and build in time to hike between stages, since the festival covers much of the campus. For exhibitor lists, pocket-sized schedules and last-minute updates, keep an eye on listings from Time Out Los Angeles and the USC program pages.
