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SOUTHERN FESTIVAL
OF BOOKS

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A PROGRAM OF HUMANITIES TENNESSEE

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY PRESENTS

OCTOBER
18 & 19,
2025

ABOUT

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The Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word is among the oldest literary festivals in the country, annually welcoming hundreds of authors and thousands of visitors to downtown Nashville each October.

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The Festival is free, and includes performance stages, food trucks, and loads of publishers and booksellers. We look forward to seeing you downtown at the Bicentennial Mall, Tennessee State Museum, and Tennessee State Library.

Map 2025

GETTING TO THE FEST

 

We look forward to welcoming you to the the Festival located at the confluence of the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Tennessee State Museum, and the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

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Please note that a Half Marathon will be taking place early Saturday just East of the Festival site. For course info, please visit Run Nash.  

WALK OR BIKE

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The Festival is just off the Music City Bikeway.  


Looking to find a bike route from wherever you're coming from, check out The Groove.

Many public buses will be cruising by the Festival site throughout the weekend. 

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Check out WEGO

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Addresses to help plan your route: 
 

Museum side of the Festival
1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
 

Library side of the Festival
1001 Rep. John Lewis Way, Nashville, TN 37208

RIDESHARE
(DROP-OFF PICK-UP)

Kindly give this address to the driver and/or robot: 1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208 It's a horseshoe driveway in front of the Tennessee State Museum allowing for easy drop off and pick up.

BY PERSONAL VEHICLE
(WHERE TO PARK THE MACHINE)

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Free parking available in State of Tennessee lots.

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Please see map for locations. Note just south of the Tennessee State Library and Archives is a reserved lot for ADA accessible Festival parking. 

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Paid lot map is here.

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There are also numerous street parking spots and pay lots in surrounding neighborhoods.

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GENERAL ACCESSIBILITY

  • Is the site accessible for attendees with mobility needs?

    All areas of the Bicentennial Mall, Tennessee State Museum, and Tennessee State Library and Archives are fully accessible under ADA standards. For the outdoor portion of the Festival, we have placed vendors, music stage,  and food trucks on paved roads to facilitate participation by those with assistive devices. 
     

  • Where do I park?

    We have designated Lot 4 (just south of the TN State Library and Archives) for handicapped parking only. It is located at the corner of John Lewis Blvd. and Jr. Gilliam Way. The road will have a barricade, and a security officer will allow you through with your ADA tag to park in the lot. The map above notes its location.

     

  • How do I get around?

    For visitors with mobility issues, we offer golf cart shuttles that will travel between the Tennessee State Museum and Tennessee State Library. This passes by Festival HQ, merchandise sales, book sales and book signing, and you may request stops at these locations. The golf carts are stationed at the corner of 6th Ave and Jr. Gilliam Way, and at the corner of 7th Ave and Locklayer St. There will be signs at these locations. 

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  • Will I be able to access Book Sales?

    Yes. We have placed accessibility pathways in Parnassus Book Sales to assist those in wheelchairs, on scooters, or with walkers or other assistive devices. 

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  • How do  I get books signed?

    Please use the accessibility pathways placed on either side of the Author Signing Tent. A volunteer onsite will assist you in meeting the authors you request and having your books signed. 

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  • Do you offer ASL interpreters?

    If you have a specific session request for interpretation, please email: info@humtn.org, and we will do our best to make it available. 

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For questions or other needs in advance, please email info@humtn.org and we will follow up!

DOWNLOAD
THE FESTIVAL
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THANK YOU TO THE 2025 FESTIVAL'S SPONSORS!

 

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, THE FRIST FOUNDATION, SANDRA SCHATTEN FOUNDATION, TENNESSEE ARTS COMMISSION Cultivate. Create. Participate NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES DOLLAR GENERAL LITERACY FOUNDATION | GIVE. DREAM. HOPE. INGRAM (R) METRO ARTS NASHVILLE OFFICE OF ARTS + CULTURE NASHVILLE MUSIC CITY TENNESSEE STATE LIBRARY & ARCHIVES Tennessee Secretary of State NES PARNASSUS BOOKS NASHVILLE NASHVILLE SCENE TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE TENNESSEE

THE SOUTHERN FESTIVAL OF BOOKS is a program of

 

HUMANITIES TENNESSEE

615 Main St
Suite B19
Nashville, TN 37206
P: 615-770-0006 | F: 615-770-0007
sfb1@humtn.org

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