Leipzig Book Fair

Four Days of Literature, Comics, and Reading Festival

From March 19 to 22, 2026, the Leipzig Trade Fair opens its doors for what is arguably Germany's biggest book party. Already at the opening, the Leipzig Book Fair Prize will be awarded in the categories of Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Translation. Focus Region 2026: the Danube — authors from Austria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, and Bulgaria.

Running parallel to the Book Fair is the Manga-Comic-Con with thousands of cosplayers, plus the city-wide reading festival 'Leipzig liest' with more than 3,000 program items at over 300 locations — in bookstores, libraries, cafés, the Gewandhaus, and churches. Over 3,500 participants will read, discuss, and sign autographs. Around 280,000 visitors are expected.

Program Highlights 2026

• Focus Region Danube — Guiding theme 'Undercurrent and Between Worlds,' authors from 6 countries
• Leipzig Book Fair Prize — Award ceremony at the opening; 2026 laureates: Katerina Poladjan (Fiction, 'Goldstrand'), Marie-Janine Calic (Non-Fiction, 'Balkan-Odyssee'), Manfred Gmeiner (Translation)
• Manga-Comic-Con — Japanese and Western comics, cosplay competitions, Artist Alley, publisher panels
• Leipzig liest — Over 3,000 readings throughout the city, over 300 reading locations, over 3,500 participants
• Thematic Worlds — Fiction & Non-Fiction, Children & Youth & Education, Book Art & Graphics, Audio/Film/Media, Music, Open Society, Human & AI
• #buchbar — Forum for debuts and literary newcomers
• Professional Program — Translations, international showcases, forum for self-publishers

Daily program overviews and stage schedules will be published on the festival website starting February 2026.

• Leipzig Book Fair Prize (Fiction, Non-Fiction, Translation)
• Focus Region Danube with authors from 6 countries
• Manga-Comic-Con with thousands of cosplayers
• Leipzig liest — over 3,000 readings at over 300 locations
• Over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 50 countries
• Expected 280,000 visitors

Date

Thursday, March 19, to Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Location

Leipziger Messe, Messe-Allee 1, 04356 Leipzig. Readings for 'Leipzig liest' are distributed throughout the entire city area.

Getting There

By train (ICE/IC) to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, then S-Bahn S2/S6 to Leipzig Messe station (approx. 12 min). By car via A 14 / A 9, exit Leipzig-Mitte or Leipzig-Messegelände, signposted parking directly at the trade fair grounds. By plane to Leipzig/Halle Airport, then S-Bahn S5 to the city center.

Tickets

Day ticket from approx. €23, reduced approx. €14. Advance purchase online on the official website is cheaper than at the box office. Family and school group tickets available.

Organizer

Leipziger Messe GmbH, Messe-Allee 1, 04356 Leipzig.