When and where will the 2026 Santa Fe International Literary Festival take place?

The Santa Fe International Literary Festival will take place May 15-17, 2026, at the Community Convention Center, at 201 West Marcy Street in downtown Santa Fe.

Which authors will be there?

Please see the 2026 lineup of authors here.

What is the Festival format?

There will be a total of 19 author events throughout the weekend, held in multiple rooms of the Convention Center. Some events happen concurrently. Most sessions consist of a conversation between the author and a moderator and conclude with an audience Q&A. Following each session, authors will sign books at the on-site Festival Bookstore in the Convention Center lobby.

In addition to author events, the Festival offers Walk & Talks, Literary Tours, and Spirits Tastings in downtown Santa Fe, as well as Morning Meditations, which give attendees the opportunity to start the day with some quiet mindfulness. There will also be free Poetry Readings, which are listed on the schedule. Before and after the Festival weekend, there will be several Literary Day Trips for more immersive experiences throughout the local area.

How do I purchase tickets?

Tickets start at $25 for each author session. Day and weekend passes are also available. Children twelve and older may attend when accompanied by an adult. Tickets go on sale at the end of January 2026.

Am I eligible for free admission?

We offer a limited number of complimentary tickets to Santa Fe–area students, teachers, and librarians, and New Mexico residents in need of financial assistance. Click here for details.

Where can I park?

The Convention Center’s underground parking garage is located at 119 South Federal Place, Santa Fe. Rates are $1.00 for the first hour and $2.00 for each additional hour, with a maximum daily fee of $12.00. The garage is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Additional nearby parking facilities include the Sandoval Parking Garage at 217 W. Water St., the Public Parking Garage at Galisteo St. and Paseo de Peralta, and the municipal lot at 100 E. Water St.

Street parking is available at metered spaces in the area.

There is an ADA accessible loading zone for the Convention Center at the intersection of Marcy and Grant Streets with ramps for attendees with disabilities.

Can I take public transportation to the Festival?

Yes. Santa Fe offers transportation services throughout the city. There is also a free shuttle that makes stops in the downtown area. Click here for schedules.

May I reserve seats for my author events?

No. Individual seats cannot be reserved, but tickets can be purchased for different prices within the Premium, Choice, or General Admission sections. Seating is first come, first served, within those sections. Doors open 10-35 minutes before each author session is scheduled to begin and ushers will direct you to your ticketed section, which is open seating. For detailed ticketing instructions, click here.

What accommodations will be made for people with disabilities?

Wheelchair seating areas will be provided for anyone with a wheelchair or needing extra assistance. Assisted listening will be provided via Wi-Fi, using your cell phone, or via body pack with an induction loop worn around the neck to receive the signal directly to your hearing aids, particularly in the case of older-model hearing aids. There will not be any closed captions on the screens. For detailed ticketing instructions, click here.

Will authors sign only books purchased at the pop-up store, or may I bring my own copies?

Each author’s books will be for sale at the Festival Bookstore, which appreciates your support. We ask that you limit the number of previously purchased copies that you bring so that the authors will have the opportunity to engage with as many attendees as possible in the limited time provided.

Will food and drinks be available for purchase?

Wolf and Mermaid will have a booth at the Convention Center entrance serving coffee, tea, water, and pastries throughout the day. Two food trucks will also be on-site on Saturday and Sunday between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for lunch and other snacks. Complimentary cocktail receptions are held each evening in the Convention Center Courtyard from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for all ticket holders. There are water refilling stations in the Convention Center, and we encourage festivalgoers to bring their own water bottles.

The following food trucks will be present:

Fusion Tacos - Authentic, healthy Mexican cuisine.
Jambo Hapa - African and Caribbean cuisine

I’m from out of town. What’s the best way to get to Santa Fe?

By air, you have two options: Albuquerque International Sunport, one hour by car from Santa Fe, and Santa Fe Regional Airport, just outside of town. For a slow and scenic route, you can take Amtrak. Click here for travel information.

Where should I stay?

We recommend our partner hotels, most of which are within walking distance of the Convention Center and the famed Santa Fe Plaza. You can find our list of hotel partners here.

What should I do when I’m not at the Festival?

Please use some of your literary downtime to support our community partners. The Festival wouldn’t be possible without their support! Click here for businesses and restaurants that help make the Festival a memorable Santa Fe event.

I have a question not answered here. Help!

Please write us at info@sfinternationallitfest.org and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We also encourage you to explore our website, which has lots of information about the Festival and Santa Fe.