Attending Info

Events Calendar

2025 Mesa Book Festival

Saturday 06 December 2025, 10:00am - 08:00pm

Welcome to the Home page for the 2025 Mesa Book Festival!

Let this page be your guide for a fun day of book based fun!

Quick Navigation Guide

If you are looking to attend and see what happening, You are here! Just scroll down and start salivating at all the stuff.

Looking to see who the Vendors are? We are keeping a dynamic list here updated regularly.

Special Opening Event- Breakfast with Krampus presented by the East Valley Children's Theater

***THIS IS A PAID REGISTRATION EVENT***

The magical creatures of the dark forest are fed up with the bratty children in the village. Morrigan, queen of the fairies, sends her son Krampus to sort them out.

Anthology, Inc. in association with the East Valley Children's Theatre announce Breakfast with Krampus, a special ticketed pre-event for the Mesa Book Festival. Breakfast will be a continental breakfast.

9am-10am, Limited Seating
Inside The Post, 26 N Macdonald, Mesa, AZ

2025 Book Festival Header

Open air FREE event for readers of all ages in Downtown Mesa at Mesa's Christmas tree during Merry Main Street.

Early Bird Discounts

OK, so the FIRST 100 attendees that find us at the Information Booth will get a $3 Golden Ticket to use at a participating vendor. Those Vendors are:

Bledsoe, K.A.
Brick Cave Media
Eaton, Pam

Reader Quests!

Go around the festival site, and find the quest givers- you'll find them, trust us. Get a quest and find the answer. The answer is with one of the vendors. But which one? That's what you have to find out. Prizes await!

Free Face Painting for the Kids

Ellie Creates will be set up by the stage offering complimentary Face Painting for the kids from 10a-6pm.

Visits with Santa at The Post (Merry Main Street Event)

Santa will be available from 4pm-8pm at The Post as a part of Merry Main Street

Holiday Tree Readings

Coordinated by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, join one of our special guest children's book readers at the Holiday Tree.

Main Stage Entertainment

Entertainment

9:00am- Mark Greenawalk- Live Music
10:00am- Opening Ceremonies
10:00am- East Valley Children's Theater- Performance
11:00am- East Valley Children's Theater- Performance
12:00pm- Westwood High School Orchestra
1:00pm- Roger Wiedabach Musician
2:00pm- Character Costume Contest
4:00pm- Arizona Rennaisance Festival
5:00pm- Ed Unplugged
6:00pm- Places! Productions

Literary Costume Contests

Come dressed as your favorite book character for the Chance to win prizes. Sponsored by the Mesa Tribune and Kids Need to Read, there are three divisions:

Kids, Age 0-12
Teens, Age 13-17
Adults, Age 18+

Winners are audience decided, so be sure to bring plenty of friends! You character can be any character that has appeared in print, here are some tips:

If planning to compete, be sure to sign in to the Mesa Tribune booth BEFORE 12:30pm, so we know you are coming. We'll ask for your name, and the name of the character you are dressing as and the book they are from.
Be sure to check in at the MAIN stage by 12:45pm, so we know you are there.

Fiber First Signing Tent

Festival Sponsor Fiber First is hosting a special series of signings from their tent right at the Holiday Tree, including:

10am-2pm
Violet Duncan, Author of Buffalo Dreamer

12pm-4pm
DaVaun Sanders, Author of Minecraft The Tournament and Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew

2pm-6pm
Karen Chow, Author of Miracle

Kids Need to Read Signing Tent

10am-12pm
Ryan Dalton, Author of This Last Adventure
Teresa Krager

12pm-2pm
Judy Laufer, Author of Gigglyville Series
Katie Vernon, Author of We're Having a Party

2pm-4pm
G.F. Miller, Author of What if You Fall for Me First
Tiffany Ellington

4pm-6pm
Darren Farrell, Author of Lion In Bed

6pm-8pm
Russ Kazmierczak, Author/Illustrator of Amazing Arizona Comics

Food Availability

Enjoying the Mesa Book Festival?
While you get lost in stories and pages, don’t forget to explore the flavors of downtown Mesa! From cozy cafés perfect for a chapter break to hearty meals that fuel your festival adventures—and sweet treats to satisfy your “just one more” craving—these local spots are the perfect companion to your literary journey.