The Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's largest book show, expects over 200,000 visitors and more than 1,000 authors. It opens to the public on Friday with earlier access and book sales from day one. Highlights include author meet-and-greets, a children's space program, and the guest of honor, the Philippines.
The Frankfurt Book Fair begins for the reading public on Friday and runs through Sunday. Over 200,000 visitors and more than 1,000 authors are expected. Tickets should be purchased online early as spots are limited; no on-site sales on weekends. The fair opens daily from 9 to 18:30, Fridays from 10 a.m. Day tickets cost 30 euros on Friday and Sunday, 35 euros on Saturday; a three-day ticket is 59 euros. Family tickets for up to two adults and three children are 60 or 70 euros.
New this year: The entire Friday is open to the public, and books may be sold from day one. The Festhalle becomes a «Meet the Author» area on 5,600 square meters, where 84 authors sign books and take selfies with fans for 91 hours—including SenLinYu, Caroline Wahl, Ayla Dade, Otto Waalkes, and Steffen Henssler.
For children: At the «Kids Festival» in the inner courtyard, the «Spacebuzz One» enables virtual flights into space, guided by astronaut Matthias Maurer. The Philippines are the guest of honor with the motto «Fantasie beseelt die Luft» (Imagination Animates the Air). In a pavilion made of bamboo, shells, and pineapple fiber, six «islands» invite visitors to literary programs, book discoveries, and a video installation.
Comics and mangas have their own hall, with genres like New Adult and Romantasy in dedicated areas. TikTok awards the Book Award, and Langenscheidt announces the Youth Word of the Year.
Outside the fair, the «Open Books» reading festival from October 14 to 18 features 175 authors like Dorothee Elmiger and Elke Heidenreich for free readings in the city center. Exhibitions on the Philippines are at the Architecture Museum and the Schirn.