The annual Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest) will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Eastern Market.
FREE ENTRY for attendees!
Detroit Bookfest is a glorious day of BOOKS, records, comics, creative arts, food, drinks, funk music and exploring Detroit’s incredible Eastern Market District.
The district is anchored by the actual Eastern Market itself, which is a series of large consumer sheds.
Be sure to check out our Official Detroit Bookfest Afterparty from 4pm-8pm at Detroit City Distillery, located 3 blocks SE of Shed 5.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1228599538980038
We encourage everyone to check out the Official Detroit Bookfest Festival Guide
https://dev.detroitbookfest.com/detroit-bookfest-festival-guide/
Top 10 Tips for Detroit Bookfest Attendees
1.) Every vendor is on their own in terms of cash flow and providing change. There is no centralized market bank. Please help the vendors out by bringing small bills, if you can. $1’s, $5’s, $10’s will be needed. Yes, there are two nearby ATM’s (ie: Shed 5 northern exterior wall and also the Chase Bank across the street). Several vendors should have the ability to accept credit card payments on their smartphones, however, we are not sure that all of them will have this ability.
2.) Detroit Bookfest is headquartered inside Shed 5, however, there will be vendors spread across the entire market, both indoors and outdoors. And there will be a Community Activities area outside Shed 5 along Russell Street with many fun activities for children. Please check out both! There will also be music, food trucks, ping-pong, and more!
3.) Wear a pair of good, comfortable walking shoes. We encourage you to make a day of it and check out the fabulous Eastern Market District, which is packed with a ton of great eateries, bars and stores of all sorts. If you haven’t already, please read our Official Detroit Bookfest Festival Guide.
https://dev.detroitbookfest.com/detroit-bookfest-festival-guide/
4.) This event is all-weather, so dress accordingly. Dress comfortably and casually. Watch the weather forecast and if you think you may need an umbrella, please bring one.
5.) Make sure you check out our food vendors on Alfred Street on the south side of Shed 5.
Bookfest Food Vendors
https://dev.detroitbookfest.com/bookfest-food-trucks/Â
6.) Parking is plentiful, however, it is scattered around the Eastern Market district. Make sure you plan accordingly. You can drop people off, park, then get the car and pick them up, if you need to. Eastern Market oftentimes handles even larger events which get 150,000+ people at them, so there are places to park, just be prepared to walk a little bit.
7.) Public restrooms are located inside Shed 5 and spread throughout Eastern Market. If there are long lines at one, walk over to another bathroom.
8.) This event is all-ages. The love of books can start at any age, so parents, bring your family and always remember to keep an eye on your children. There will be several children’s activities going on in the Community Activities area outside Shed 5, including a book donation drive. If you have any kids books to donate, please bring them!
9.) Warning: grooveilicious FUNK MUSIC might make you feel the unexpected urge to boogie. If you feel like dancing, then dance!
10.) We are tremendously excited about this event and feel it is an important and positive happening for Detroit and Michigan and the world of books and many other things. Please help us spread the word on your favorite social media websites by posting photos and telling people about your experience.
THANK YOU! We love you all and hope everyone has a great time!
And pull out your calendars…
Next year, the 9th Annual Detroit Festival of Books will be on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
