Lewes History Book Festival Celebrates 10th Year This September

The History Book Festival returns to Lewes Sept. 25-27, 2026, celebrating its 10th anniversary with author presentations, book signings and discussions highlighting history through storytelling. (Photo courtesy of History Book Festival)

The History Book Festival will return to Lewes Sept. 25-27, 2026, marking the event’s 10th anniversary with a weekend of author presentations, book signings and discussions focused on history through storytelling.

The festival, held in historic Lewes, is the only book festival dedicated to history through story, featuring new historical fiction and narrative nonfiction covering a range of subjects, time periods and perspectives.

More than 94% of History Book Festival author presentations are free and open to the public. The event attracts readers from across the country and abroad for presentations and conversations with authors at venues throughout Lewes.

The weekend will begin Friday, Sept. 25, with a ticketed keynote event featuring authors Scott Anderson and Ben Macintyre, who will discuss their books King of Kings and Redwood.

Saturday, Sept. 26, will feature free author presentations, book sales, author signings, food trucks and a Spirited Discussion afterparty.

The festival will conclude Sunday, Sept. 27, with a ticketed closing event featuring Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict, authors of A Pair of Aces.

Browseabout Books will serve as the official bookseller for the 2026 festival.

In addition to public programming, the History Book Festival works with Delaware schools, libraries and community organizations by providing books and bringing authors into classrooms from preschool through college.

The 2025 History Book Festival featured authors who presented to more than 7,000 attendees from 25 states during the three-day event. With 22 featured books, organizers said authors drew audiences for presentations and signings throughout the weekend.