Every year, bookstores, libraries, universities, and organizations host engaging programs that spotlight censorship.

Are you hosting an event for Banned Books Week? Putting up a display? Click here to let us know about it, and we’ll share it here for the world to find! (Please note: Your event will not appear right away. A moderator will post as soon as possible.)

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The 2023 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

Chappaqua Train Station Allen Place, Chappaqua, NY, United States

The 10th Anniversary of The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival  The 10th Anniversary of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (CCBF) will take place on Saturday, September 30, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Chappaqua Train Station in Chappaqua, New York. This year’s Festival will be the largest one yet, with 180 authors in attendance ... Read More

Free

Read-Out in Corpus Christi, TX

Black Cat Books 1318 S Staples Street, Corpus Christi, TX, United States

League of Women Voters Corpus Christi Area and Black Cat Books are hosting a read-out to kick off Banned Books Week. You can defend democracy and participate in the read out by reading a passage from a banned book of your choice. We encourage you to also discuss your personal feelings about the book you ... Read More

Free

2nd Annual Banned Book Read-Out

South Main Book Company 110 S. Main St., Salisbury, NC, United States

Let's get a little louder this weekend! Books with diverse content (including, but not limited to, LGBTQIA, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities) are generally overrepresented among banned and challenged books; in 2015, 9 of the 10 most challenged books fell into this category. To bring awareness ... Read More

Free

Banned Books Bash

Hygge House Books 57 East Main St., Westborough, MA, United States

We're kicking off Banned Books Week with a bash for all ages from 12:00 -3:00 p.m. Drop in any time, or stay for the day. 12 PM -- Banned Book Tasting Browse our “buffet” of banned books. Take the time and care to evaluate them for yourself 1 PM -- Banned Book “READ OUT” Participate ... Read More

Free

Banned Books Readathon

Prince Memorial Library 266 Main Street, Cumberland, ME, United States

Commemorate Banned Books Week (October 1–7) with Prince Memorial Library's first Banned Books Readathon! Throughout the day, community members will be reading from a selection of banned or frequently challenged picture books and middle-grade books chosen by PML librarians. Drop in to listen. Leave when you need to. It's a casual, and, we hope, entertaining good ... Read More

Free

Caffè Lena Presents 60 Years of Banned Books

Saratoga Springs Public Library 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States +1 more

Caffè Lena and the Saratoga Springs Public Library join together to celebrate Banned Books Week. On October 5, enjoy music from Reese Fulmer and Dan Berggren, as well as local authors who will share readings from titles that have been banned or challenged in the past 60 years. This in-person event will be streamed via Zoom. ... Read More

Free

Let Freedom Read: A Celebration of Banned Books

Cherry Street Books 503 Broadway, Alexandria, MN, United States

For the the first time, Banned Books Week, a campaign launched in 1982 in response to increased numbers of challenges to books in schools, libraries and bookstores, will include Alexandria-area  writers and readers at a new local event titled “Let Freedom Read: A Celebration of Banned Books.”  The celebration will include short readings from books ... Read More

Free

Banned Books Week Celebration at Bookish Emporium

Bookish Emporium of Arkansas 513 W Main Street, Heber Springs, AR, United States

Come out and celebrate the Freedom to Read! All week long we will be promoting and celebrating books that others deem unworthy for all because they didn't like it. We will be hosting a Read Out from 12-2 pm. What is a banned read out? It's a gathering of people who stand with the banned ... Read More

Free

Free to Belong: An Author Afternoon

Dayton Metro Library: Main Library Forum 215 East Third Street, Dayton, OH, United States

Spend the afternoon with three different authors: Leah Johnson (1:00), K. Ancrum (2:00), and Julian Winters (3:00). Learn from the authors about their process, their books, and their thoughts on banning books. This program will kick off a series of programs centering around intellectual freedom, because Dayton Metro Library, now a Book Sanctuary, is proud ... Read More

Free

Banned Books Reading & Book Swap

Rose Wagner Theater SLC, UT 138 W Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Under the Umbrella Bookstore (UTU) is doing something about book bans. As a special event for Damn These Heels Film Fest, UTU is putting on a Banned Books Reading and Book Swap Oct. 14 to educate about the dangers of book bans and how to push back against them. Participants are encouraged to bring a ... Read More

Free