The readers' fair: four days in which not only the exhibition grounds are reading, but the whole city — in cafés, churches, trams and living rooms.
Source: leipziger-buchmesse.de, checked on 11 September 2026.
Updated: September 2026
Leipzig is Frankfurt's counterpart. Where the other negotiates licences, this one puts readers at the centre: the fair is open to everyone from the first day, and publishers present their spring lists directly to readers rather than to buyers.
"Leipzig liest" is the real reason to come. The reading festival runs alongside the fair in hundreds of venues across the city and is considered the largest reading festival in Europe — much of it in the evening, much of it free, and almost all of it away from the exhibition halls.
The Manga-Comic-Con is part of the fair and shapes its character strongly: a substantial share of visitors arrives in costume. It surprises anyone who has not been told.
Log what you buy, your progress and the quotes you underline. Free, no account needed to start.
Start for freeThe halls close and "Leipzig liest" begins. The readings around the city are often the best part of the week — pick them in advance, they overlap.
A large part of the programme happens in the city centre. The S-Bahn to the exhibition grounds runs frequently and the journeys are short.
Saturday is the busiest day, partly because of the Manga-Comic-Con. For a calmer visit, come Thursday or Friday.
Leipzig Book Fair 2027 runs 18–21 Mar 2027 at Leipziger Messe, Leipzig.
At Leipziger Messe, Leipzig.
No, it is ticketed: check prices and sales on the official website.
Frankfurt is the international trade fair for rights and licences, with public days at the weekend. Leipzig is a public fair from the start, presenting the spring list directly to readers.
The reading festival that runs across the city alongside the fair: readings in cafés, churches, trams and living rooms. It is considered the largest reading festival in Europe.