About this Event
GREATER CENTRAL VALLEY BOOK FEST
Where Stories Bring Our Communities Together
Join us for a day celebrating stories, community, and connection! The Greater Central Valley Book Fest - Sunday, November 1, 2026, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM at The Grand Theatre Center for the Arts in Tracy, CA.
This family-friendly festival features acclaimed authors, live readings, a Kids Zone, open mic sessions, and the Voices of the Valley Short Story Competition for students. Meet featured guests, shop local authors, and be part of a growing literary community in the Central Valley.
What Is a Book Festival?
Think of it as a one-day celebration of reading and storytelling — like a fair, but for books and the people who create them. Authors, illustrators, poets, filmmakers, and readers of all ages come together for a full day of talks, activities, and community.
General festival access is free and open to the public. The one exception is the keynote — more on that below.
What’s Happening All Day (Free!)
• 🎤 Main Stage — Featured author talks, panels, and conversations
• 🎙️ Minor Stage — Smaller, more intimate sessions with authors and speakers
• 🎨 Kids Zone (Upstairs Gallery) — Activities, readings, and books for younger festival-goers
• ✍️ Classroom Breakout Sessions — Workshops on writing, publishing, and craft
• 🔥 Poetry Slam — A live, judged spoken word showcase (not an open mic!)
• 📖 Voices of the Valley Short Story Competition — Celebrating young writers, grades 3–8
• 🏆 Literary Hero Award — Honoring someone who’s made a lasting impact through literacy or storytelling
• 📚 Author & Vendor Tables — Meet authors, browse books, support local shops
The Keynote: Kimberla Lawson Roby
The festival’s headline event is a keynote conversation with bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby. Because seating is limited, this is the one part of the day that requires a ticket.
Click link to purchase tickets for the Headline Event:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1999162486814?aff=oddtdtcreator
A production of Greater Central Valley Book Fest, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:KIMBERLA LAWSON ROBY
Event venue & nearby stays
Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 North Central Avenue, Tracy, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.