Leimert Park Book Fair to Return March 13

The 20th anniversary festival will be held outdoors at Exposition Park in Los Angeles.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in African-American

Screen-print poster illustration of stacked hardbound books on a park table beneath a tree, evoking an outdoor literary festival.
The Leimert Park Village Book Fair returns to Exposition Park on March 13, 2027, to celebrate its 20th anniversary of literary community. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Leimert Park Village Book Fair returns to an outdoor setting at Exposition Park on March 13, 2027. This year marks the festival's 20th anniversary with a theme titled From Roots to Bloom: Celebrating 20 Years of Stories, Culture & Community.

Why it matters

The festival seeks to bridge the gap between literature and African American history through public artistic expression. The organizer developed this event as a direct response to national debates regarding the representation of Black history.

The festival will take place on the South Lawn East of Exposition Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It commemorates two decades of programming since its founding in 2007.

The players

Cynthia E. Exum

Cynthia E. Exum is the founder of the Leimert Park Village Book Fair.

California African American Museum

The California African American Museum is located near the festival venue in Exposition Park.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is situated in close proximity to the South Lawn East where the fair will be held.

The details

The event will feature author appearances, panel discussions, entertainment, an Artist Hub, and a commemorative quilt display. It will also host a special tribute dedicated to Black expatriate artists and writers.

Timeline

  1. The Leimert Park Village Book Fair was founded in 2007.

  2. The 20th anniversary festival takes place on March 13, 2027.

Culture Shift

The festival marks a return to an outdoor, in-person format following its previous transition to virtual programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. This evolution highlights a broader trend of community events reclaiming physical public spaces to foster direct engagement.

Attendees can plan their day around the festival's full-day schedule at Exposition Park, which is situated near major cultural landmarks like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Visitors should prepare for outdoor conditions on the South Lawn East during the event.

The takeaway

This event serves as a platform to honor two decades of Black literary and cultural contributions within Los Angeles. Interested participants are encouraged to watch for updates on the specific roster of authors and panelists participating in the tribute to expatriate writers.

What happens next

The 20th anniversary festival is scheduled to take place on March 13, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Exposition Park.

Further reading

Explore more local heritage programming on the African-American section page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Sentinel.

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