The 2025 Bay Area Book Festival kicked off its last day on Sunday in downtown Berkeley.
Here’s what to know
The festival begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Berkeley and will have several free events for people to attend until 5 p.m. The two big events of the day, which will each have several things for attendees to see and do throughout the day, are the Bookworm Block Party and Inside Ideas.
The Bookworm Block Party, formerly the outdoor fair, spreads across five areas, including three stages. There will be live presentations, local food trucks, and literary-themed exhibitors
- BART Plaza Stage, 2170 Shattuck Avenue
- Poetry Stage Kittredge, Street and Harold Way
- Family Stage Allston Way, and Milvia Street
- Health in Community Row, Allston Way
- Small Press Alley, Allston Way
Inside Ideas has six indoor stages where there will be a variety of panels with topics such as fiction, essay discussions, tech, and romantasy.
- Brown Center, 2150 Allston Way. Two stages: the Goldman Theater and Tamalpais Room
- Hotel Shattuck Ballroom, Crystal Ballroom and Courtyard, 2086 Allston Way
- The Marsh Berkeley 2120 Allston Way. Also has two stages
The headliners will speak at two ticketed events that take place at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Ticketed events
Who’s Afraid of Gender with Judith Butler, Micha Cardenas and MK Chavez takes place at 5:30 at Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison Street…