Exhibit at the BBF

BBF 2025 Exhibitor Application Portal is now open.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

The Boston Book Festival is the largest literary festival in New England, attracting upwards of 25,000 attendees. Widely advertised and promoted throughout New England as well as the Albany capital region, Washington DC and New York City, BBF successfully pulls in large representation in all age groups (18-24, 25-40, 41-55 and 55 plus and children and teens). In addition, the lively and popular festival, located in Copley Square, is ideally situated within a terrific transportation system, with subway lines and parking garages only steps away and Amtrak and Greyhound terminals nearby.

Please note that as of February 10, 2025, the Copley Green is STILL closed for renovation.  We expect that our outdoor footprint will occupy the Green but if not, we will return to Dartmouth Street and the Plaza in front of the Boston Public Library again.  We are committed to including the music stage, food trucks, street performers, and kids activities but due to possible size constraints, we may have to limit the number of Exhibitor Booths available, just as we have done in 2023 and 2024.

We also have Sponsorship opportunities available which can include an Exhibitor Booth as a part of the entitlements package. For more information please email leandra@bostonbookfest.org.

Click here to apply for an Exhibitor Booth.

Standard Exhibitor Package

  • 100 square foot site (10’ x 10’)
  • One covered canvas tent with sidewalls for site (exhibitors may not bring your own tent/canopy)
  • One 8-foot table with 2 folding chairs per site (additional available to rent)
  • One canvas booth-identification sign created by BBF
  • One exhibitor listing in BBF program (8,000 distributed on Festival day) and on BBF website (500K visits in October)
  • Access to more than 25,000 potential customers

Eligible Exhibitors

  • Booksellers
  • Publishers
  • Author consortiums (we regret that we cannot accept applications from single authors)
  • Literary/book-themed product vendors (e.g., journals, pens/writing implements, magazines, stationery)
  • Artisans, crafters
  • Literary-oriented programs or resources
  • Nonprofit/cultural organizations
  • Food vendors (limited spaces available, additional fees may apply)

Please note Non–book related commercial space is reserved for Sponsors. Through their generosity, we are able to keep the Boston Book Festival free and open to the public.

Standard Exhibitor Booth Fees

  • Non literary-themed booth (e.g., food vendor, film promotion, home improvement – $1,980
  • Retail, merchandise, major publishers, chain bookstores, etc – $1,450
  • Independent presses, independent booksellers, author groups – $985
  • Nonprofit/cultural organizations, BBF Partners, and literary journals/magazines – $780
  • Shared booth (two exhibitors may share a booth or table. The Festival will only accept one application per booth or table. That application must designate the company with whom they are sharing the booth or table, and assume full payment for the booth or table. No more than two exhibitors may share a booth) – $ varies
  • Food sampling privileges if non–food booth (e.g., free popcorn) – $100
  • Electrical hookups for your booth may be requested – $25
  • Extra table(s) for your booth may be rented – $15 each
  • Extra chair(s) for your booth may be rented – $3 each

Please note we are not able to provide onsite WiFi or technical support for wireless connections.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted in writing. A 50% refund will be issued through September 1, 2025. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after that date.

Notes

  • Space is limited. Once all booth spaces have been filled, applicants who still wish to participate may choose to join the exhibitor waiting list. Those on the waiting list will be notified as to whether or not they can be accommodated by Friday, September 19, 2025. Please note: due to our printing schedule, exhibitors accepted off the waiting list after September 1st may not be listed in the program guide.
  • While BBF heavily promotes the Festival in advance, we strongly encourage all Exhibitors to have interactive activities at their booths to draw in foot traffic. Examples include guessing games, crafts, raffles and costume characters.
  • Exhibitors must keep their booth open and staffed from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, rain or shine. Exhibitors who do not show up, who are not set up by 10:00 a.m., or who vacate their booth early will be prohibited from exhibiting at future Boston Book Festivals.
  • Booth assignments are made at the sole discretion of the Boston Book Festival. We will do our best to accommodate special requests, although it is logistically impossible to honor all requests. Please note any special needs or requests on your exhibitor application.
  • Exhibitors may not re-sell, share with an unaccepted exhibitor, or sub-let any portion of their space. Any violation of these stipulations by exhibitors will result in expulsion from the festival, and a fee refund will not be given.
  • The Boston Book Festival will take place rain or shine. Refunds will not be issued due to inclement weather. Exhibitors will not be moved inside in the event of rain. In the case of lightning, the Boston Public Police may require the outdoor festival to be shut down and no refunds will be issued.