Lucknow’s book lovers have a reason to mark their calendars. The Gomti Book Festival 2026 is returning to the city from September 12 to 20, bringing nine days of books, literature, conversations and cultural programmes to Lucknow University.

Organised by the National Book Trust, India (NBT) in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government and Lucknow University, the fifth edition of the festival is expected to be a major stop for readers across Lucknow. NBT has confirmed that the festival will feature more than 120 publishers and over 200 book stalls, covering books and reading material for different age groups and interests.

This is not just a book-buying outing. Across the nine days, visitors can attend literary sessions, author conversations, panel discussions, book launches and cultural programmes, alongside activities planned especially for children.

For young readers and families, the festival will also feature Children’s Activities and an Authors’ Corner, making it an easy pick for a weekend outing in Lucknow. NBT has also announced a 10% discount on its books during the festival.

Another attraction will be the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, India’s national digital library, allowing visitors to explore digital reading resources and books in Indian languages.

The festival will be held at Lucknow University, a fitting setting for an event centred around books, learning and ideas. The university, which began teaching in 1921, has been an important part of Lucknow’s educational and intellectual landscape for more than a century.

Dates: September 12–20, 2026
Time: 11 AM–8 PM daily
Venue: Lucknow University
Entry: Free
Books: 10% discount on NBT books

With free entry and nine days of programming, the Gomti Book Festival 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more worthwhile literary events on Lucknow’s September calendar. Whether you are looking for your next novel, children's books, regional literature or simply an evening around books and ideas, this is one festival worth adding to your Lucknow plans.