Six Bridges Book Festival

Book lovers, this is your moment. The Six Bridges Book Festival is back this fall as the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) brings Little Rock to life with authors, conversations, and a citywide celebration of reading.

event details

September 27 - October 4, 2026

Named for the six bridges that connect Little Rock and North Little Rock, the Six Bridges Book Festival reflects its namesake by building connections of its own, uniting authors, readers, and communities through the power of story.

The festival celebrates words in all their forms, from reading and literacy to storytelling and craft. Each year, highly recognized authors bring their voices to Little Rock, leading panels on everything from cooking demonstrations to award-winning comedy. The event also reaches into the community through Writers in the Schools (WITS), a program that introduces hundreds of Central Arkansas students to the joy of writing.

Since its inception, the Six Bridges Book Festival has served as an important showcase for both nationally and internationally acclaimed authors, as well as talented writers from right here in The Natural State.

A person speaking on CALS Ron Robinson Theater stage with a crowd listening below them at the Six Bridges Book Festival.

Presenters from past festivals include Ann Patchett, John Waters, Sebastian Junger, Jacqueline Woodson, David Sedaris, Kiese Laymon, Tim O’Brien, Congressman John Lewis, Issa Rae, Mary Roach, Charles Yu, Jericho Brown, Vashti Harrison, TJ Klune, Sandra Cisneros, James Beard Award winners Dorie Greenspan and Vishwesh Bhatt, and critically acclaimed Arkansas authors such as Kevin Brockmeier and Trenton Lee Stewart.

What to expect:

As always, nearly all of the festival remains free to the public. This year, the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) is thrilled to welcome Ariel Lawhon, author of The Pirate Queen, on Sunday, October 4.

The Pirate Queen is a sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people.

Whether you’re a devoted reader of historical fiction or simply curious about the stories hidden in history, this special event promises insight, inspiration, and a memorable literary experience.

This ticketed event will also raise funds so the Six Bridges Book Festival can continue providing free public programs in Central Arkansas.

A crowd listening in awe to a book author speak at the Six Bridges Book Festival inside Ron Robinson Theater.

LEARN MORE

For more information and the latest festival details, visit cals.org. To volunteer at the Festival, contact Polly Deems at pdeems@cals.org.

2025 FESTIVAL RECAP

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