The 2026 edition of the Porto Book Fair recorded 231,000 visitors, a number that constitutes the second highest attendance of the literary festival. It took place between August 21 and September 6 in the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, featuring 144 exhibitors of booksellers, publishers and antiquarian booksellers, 13 more than the previous year, and more than 400 hours of programming spread across more than 200 activities. In the first two days, the fair received around 41,000 visitors, an increase of about 20% compared to the same period in 2025, although two days of heavy rain forced the temporary closure of the outdoor areas.
The program paying tribute to Inês Lourenço, the Porto-born poet who was awarded the Tília de Homenagem (Linden Tree of Homage), provided some of the highlights of the edition, where poetry and the feminine were the order of the day. For the first time, the fair featured renowned international authors, including Palestinian Mohammed El-Kurd, Spanish Angelica Liddell, Franco-Moroccan Rim Battal and French Marie Darrieussecq, who brought debates about memory, resistance and identity.
Among the novelties, the cycle dedicated to dramaturgy, a craft with strong tradition in the city, and the children's and youth programming with 80 hours of activities and a personalized interactive notebook stood out. The After-Hours event also allowed the festivities to extend until early morning at Pinguim Café.
Pedro Duarte, president of the Porto City Council, emphasized that the 13th edition was a milestone in quality, internationalization and celebration of the life and work of Inês Lourenço. The fair will return in 2027 with new programming proposals and a new honored author.
