the Twentynine palms book Festival

Returning October 23–25, 2026

The Twentynine Palms Book Festival returns next fall, marking a new chapter in its evolution as one of the Mojave Desert’s most promising cultural events. After three successful editions, the festival has reached a major milestone in its five-year plan: becoming a recognized regional destination for readers, authors, and a growing community of publishing and entertainment professionals.

The 2025 festival demonstrated that Twentynine Palms can confidently host a full three-day literary weekend—drawing strong attendance, deep community engagement, and an expanding out-of-town audience. Building on that momentum, the 2026 edition aims to broaden participation, strengthen industry ties, and further solidify the festival’s status as one of the city’s emerging Signature Events.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2026

Next year’s live program will explore four core themes inspired by the Mojave Desert and the festival’s expanding audience:

• Stargazing Literature — storytelling shaped by the region’s world-class night skies

• Native American Heritage Stories — featuring California Indigenous writers and cultural revival

• Memoirs & Personal Narratives — one of the festival’s most vibrant and popular genres

• Romance Fiction — a fast-growing category embracing diverse, modern voices

Crime fiction, nonfiction, children’s literature, and local authors will continue to anchor the festival’s identity.

Independent writers will find expanded professional workshops in self-publishing, editing, distribution, and adapting work for audio, film, and television. The book fair will welcome up to 50 exhibitors, including indie presses, authors, bookstores, and writers’ associations—supported by enhanced indoor branding at the Community Center.

A Festival Across Twentynine Palms

The 2026 festival will once again extend its footprint across Twentynine Palms and Wonder Valley, activating beloved venues such as The Palms, the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 29 Palms Inn, Sky’s The Limit Observatory, the Public Cemetery, Out There Bar, Kitchen in the Desert, Rocky’s New York Pizza, and 29 Market.

Introducing Desert Noir — October 22, 2026

Launched in partnership with the organizers of NoirCon (Philadelphia / Palm Springs), Desert Noir is a new industry-focused program debuting the day before the festival. This one-day mini-market highlights noir fiction suited for film adaptation in the Mojave Desert, connecting screenwriters, filmmakers, producers, and development executives with authors and stories ready for the screen.