FAQ

A New Year, back at USC!

The nation’s largest literary event is back with an in-person event scheduled for this spring, April 20 and 21, on the lovely campus of the University of Southern California. Join us for one-on-one conversations, exciting panels, readings by your favorite authors, musical performances, TV and moving screenings, and so much more!

How to attend

 

Festival information

Who attends the festival?

The festival attracts approximately 155,000 people each year of all ages from Southern California and other parts of the country.

How much is admission?

General admission to the festival grounds at USC is free. Indoor panel tickets are free, but a reservation fee will be charged. Certain additional events during the festival weekend may require a paid ticket.

Download our free app!

On Google Play and in the Apple App Store to maximize your Festival of Books experience.

Tickets

Friend of The Festival Packages

On sale now here!

Indoor & outdoor events information

All outdoor events are free to attend. Indoor panels require a small fee for advance reservations. You must have a ticket to attend an indoor event.

Guests with panel tickets

Must arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled panel start time to ensure seating. Tickets are non-refundable.

Festival information

Who attends the festival?

The festival attracts approximately 155,000 people each year of all ages from Southern California and other parts of the country.

How much is admission?

General admission to the festival grounds at USC is free. Indoor panel tickets are free, but a reservation fee will be charged. Certain additional events during the festival weekend may require a paid ticket.

Download our free app!

On Google Play and in the Apple App Store to maximize your Festival of Books experience.

Tickets

Single panel tickets are on sale now here!

You can still grab a Friend of the Festival package for added perks here.

Indoor & outdoor events information

All outdoor events are free to attend. Indoor panels require a small fee for advance reservations. You must have a ticket to attend an indoor event.

Guests with panel tickets

Must arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled panel start time to ensure seating. Tickets are non-refundable.

Location, directions, parking

 

Where is the Festival?

The Festival of Books takes place on the University of Southern California campus. USC is located in the University Park neighborhood of downtown L.A. near such attractions as the California Science Center, the Natural History Museum, the Exposition Rose Garden, and the California African American Museum.

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books spans nearly the entire 229 Acre USC Campus. The event does not provide wheelchairs rentals or motorized transportation.

Driving directions to USC

The USC campus is located about 2 miles southwest from Downtown and 1 mile from the intersection of the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) and the Harbor Freeway (I-110). The most convenient freeway exit is from I-110 onto Exposition Boulevard. At the end of the exit you will see the campus on the right-hand side one block down the street. Another convenient access is to exit from Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) on Vermont south to Jefferson Boulevard.

Where do I park?

Public parking will be available for $20 in the following USC Parking Structures:

Jefferson Blvd.
Downey Way
USC Shrine
Figueroa St.
Grand Ave.

Download the 2024 Parking map. Prepaid event parking is available in select lots. Book your parking in advance here.

Public transportation

Metro

Go Metro: Take the E Line (Expo) to Expo Park/USC Station or take the J Line (Silver) to 37th St/USC. Plan your trip on the Transit app or call 323.GO.METRO.

For exact routing, fare information, bike lockers/racks throughout the system and tips on purchasing your TAP fare card in advance, check metro.net or call 323-GO METRO (323-466-3876).

Public transportation

Metro

Pay before you board

Go Metro: Take the E Line (Gold) to Expo Park/USC Station or take the J Line (Silver) to 37th St/USC. Plan your trip at metro.net/tripplanner or call 323.GO.METRO.

Fares

For exact routing, fare information, bike lockers/racks throughout the system and tips on purchasing your TAP fare card in advance, check metro.net or call 323-GO METRO (323-466-3876).

How can I get a Festival map?

You can download a copy of the festival map here. and a copy with food trucks and restrooms here.

Festival of Books FAQ

 

Q : What is the Festival of Books?

A : The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: to bring together the people who create books with the people who love to read them. The festival was an immediate success and has evolved to include live bands, poetry readings, film screenings and artists creating their work on-site

Q : How can I attend a festival event?

A : All outdoor events are free to attend. Indoor panels require a small fee for advance reservations. You must have a ticket to attend an indoor event.

Guests with panel tickets must arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled panel start time to ensure seating. Tickets are non-refundable.

Q: Is there a waitlist or standby line for indoor events?

A: Standby lines are formed at each festival indoor venue and if seats are still available at the start of an indoor program, people from the standby line will be allowed in without a ticket.

Q: Do I need a ticket to attend an outdoor stage event?

A: No. Outdoor programming on stages does not require a ticket.

Q: When can I reserve tickets for the 2024 event at USC?

A: Single panel tickets are on sale now here! Ticket bundles with other benefits are still available here, with the purchase of one of our Friend of the Festival packages.

Q: Can I ask authors questions during the events?

A: Traditionally, microphones are set up in the venue aisles so that attendees may line up and ask participants questions.

Q: How do I buy the authors’ books?

A: You can purchase copies of the authors’ books from booksellers set up near each signing area.

Q: Can I bring my own books?

A: Yes, you can bring books from home. However, we strongly encourage you to purchase at least one book from the festival booksellers at the signing areas before getting in the signing lines. Purchasing books at the festival is a way you can directly support the independent booksellers that make up such a large and important part of the festival and our communities.

Q: Will authors sign their books?

A: Most authors will sign their books after the panel/presentation. However, we cannot guarantee that every author will sign. Each guest may have no more than three books to be signed by each author at a time before having to go back and rejoin the line for additional signed book requests.

Tip: While you are waiting, write the name of the person you’d like the book inscribed to on a piece of paper for correct spelling

Q: How can authors participate in a panel or other program this year?

A: Writers who wish to be considered for the Festival of Books can apply here. Please note that due to the volume of submissions received, we are not able to respond to each one.

Q: I was contacted about participating by a company outside of the L.A. Times. Are they legitimate?

A: We have a variety of exhibitors who work with independent authors. Please refer to our exhibitor page for full information regarding confirmed exhibitors. Here is more information about vanity presses/author services and how to avoid scams.  

Q: Does USC have a sustainability plan?

A: USC's sustainability commitments include eliminating single-use plastic beverage bottles from campus. Since July 2022, USC has prevented over 1.5M plastic beverage bottles from entering the waste stream. The University has installed numerous hydration stations to help reduce the use of plastic water bottles. So, please consider bringing your own reusable container for water. To learn more about USC’s efforts visit their website.

Q: Do you have a lost and found service?

A: All items found during and after the festival are turned in to USC’s Department of Public Safety. Items are kept for a total of 90 days. If you have lost an item, call DPS at (213)740-9759.

Q: Who should I contact for special accommodations at the event?

A: If you need special accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please contact eventinfo@latimes.com. The festival spans the 226-acre USC Campus with multiple points of entry. If fatigue is a concern, please consider panning your schedule and bringing a wheelchair or other aids.

Q: Does the Festival of Books have lactation spaces for pumping or nursing?

A: Yes, the Festival of Books will offer two private and secure Mamava lactation pods on campus for breastfeeding parents. See festival map for locations.

Breast Feeding Symbol

Q : How do I contact you?

A : For general information please contact eventinfo@latimes.com

For media inquires, please contact fob@js2pr.com or fill out this form.

Event code of conduct

 

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is committed to providing a welcoming, harassment-free event experience for everyone. Since 1996, the Los Angeles Times has proudly hosted the Festival of Books, one of the city’s largest and most inclusive events. Originally inspired by the idea of bringing the people who write books together with those who love to read them, the festival quickly became a venue for an open exchange of ideas. That often means taking on difficult topics and providing a space for civil discourse. We’re proud to continue that tradition, especially as there are movements to ban books and stifle free speech throughout the country. We look forward to bringing authors, artists, storytellers and experts together with the community in an inclusive and respectful environment.

Event code of conduct

We expect all participants, including speakers, performers, exhibitors, staff, volunteers and attendees, to maintain an atmosphere of respect and fairness throughout the festival venue. 


We endeavor to create an environment that fosters an open exchange of ideas. We welcome conversation that includes debate and disagreement. However, we cannot allow the loudest voices in the room to silence others or discussion to devolve into personal insults or abuse. 

Harassment will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates this standard of behavior may, at the discretion of the organizers, be expelled from the festival.

The festival's anti-harassment policy and ways to report harassment are detailed below.

Anti-harassment policy

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is committed to providing a welcoming, harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of identity or circumstance, and inclusive of all ages, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, political and religious beliefs, physical and mental abilities, and more. We do not tolerate harassment of festival participants including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, performers, exhibitors, volunteers and staff.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

Comments or images that demean an individual or group and reinforce oppression or discrimination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, geographic origin or economic class.

  • Inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact.
  • Unwelcome sexual attention, contact or content, including the display of images in public spaces.
  • Intimidation, stalking or deliberate following.
  • Unwelcome or intimidating photography or recording of any kind.
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events.
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

Reporting

The Festival will provide a hotline number in advance of the event that attendees can use to report harassing, hostile or disruptive behavior that they may be experiencing while at the event. Those immediately in danger or that have been a victim of an actual crime during the event should instead call the USC Department of Public Safety at (213)740-4321 . Those wishing to report an incident post event may do so at eventinfo@latimes.com

A note about sensitive topics

Some event conversations will include discussion related to sex, discriminatory language, violence or other triggering topics or language, due to the topics of the participants' books or topic of the conversation as a whole. These program elements are not considered harassment and festival organizers, moderators and interviewers will do due diligence to make sure these topics are addressed in a respectful manner.

Enforcement

Anyone asked to stop any harassing behavior by festival organizers or security personnel is expected to comply immediately. If someone engages in harassing or disruptive behavior, festival organizers retain the right to take actions to restore a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes issuing a warning, expelling the offending party [with no refund] and, if warranted, pursuing legal action.

Health & safety

 

COVID safety for attending in-person

If you or anyone within your group has or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, we ask you to please stay home to ensure the health and safety of our audience and staff. By voluntarily attending this event, you acknowledge the following:

1. Attending the event includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases including but not limited to COVID-19. While particular rules and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of illness does exist;

2. You knowingly and freely assume all such risks related to illness and infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, and release Los Angeles Times and its affiliate partners of liability; and

3. You hereby knowingly assume the risk of injury, harm and loss associated with the Activity, including any injury, harm and loss caused by the negligence, fault or conduct of any kind on the part of the Released Parties.

Follow Us

Instagram Facebook-f

Contact Us

eventinfo@latimes.com
SUBSCRIBE TO L.A. TIMES
Instagram Facebook-f