The Greater Central Valley Book Fest Experience
Festival Experience
A Full Day Built for Every Kind of Story
One day. One venue. Every form of storytelling — from picture books to documentary film.
The Grand Theatre · Tracy, California · November 1, 2026
The Day at a Glance
A day where every reader belongs.
A book festival is where stories step off the page and into the room. Come ready to meet inspiring authors and illustrators, discover new books, enjoy lively conversations and readings, explore creative activities, and celebrate the joy of reading with neighbors of every age. Our day-of-festival schedule is being refreshed now, so check back soon for the latest program details.
From a child finding a new favorite character to a lifelong reader meeting a beloved author, the festival is designed for discovery, conversation, creativity, and connection. Come curious, bring your reading list, and make room for a few unexpected stories.
Stories. Ideas. Community.
One welcoming place to celebrate the power of books together.
Venue & Site Plan
Five Spaces. One Day. Every Kind of Story.
The Grand Theatre's multi-space layout makes it uniquely suited for a full-day literary festival. Each zone runs its own programming track — select a space below to explore what happens there.
Select a Space
Eleni Kounalakis Theatre
Capacity
~500 seats
The Grand Theatre's primary performance hall — the largest and most formal space. This is where the festival opens and closes, where keynote authors speak, and where the biggest panel conversations happen.
Programming in This Space
- Opening ceremony
- Keynote author talks
- Featured panel discussions
- Spoken word & poetry showcase
- Closing ceremony & awards
Atmosphere — Formal, high-energy, the marquee experience
Who You'll Meet
Every Storyteller Has a Place Here
The Greater Central Valley Book Fest brings together storytellers from every discipline — because stories take more forms than any single shelf can hold.
Authors & Writers
Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children's literature
Illustrators
Picture books, graphic novels, and editorial art
Playwrights & Theater
Stage storytelling and dramatic writing
Filmmakers
Documentary, short film, and visual narrative
Spoken Word Artists
Poetry, performance, and the spoken page
Songwriters & Musicians
Songs as stories, lyrics as literature
Photographers
Visual storytelling and documentary photography
Journalists & Podcasters
Reporting, narrative nonfiction, and audio storytelling
Educators & Librarians
The people who put stories in young hands
Want to Be Part of It?
Whether you're a venue partner, sponsor, author, or community organization — there's a role for you in building this festival.