ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A free book festival aimed at young readers and their families comes to South St. Petersburg on Saturday, Nov. 7, when the St. Pete Reads Lit Fest sets up at the Woodson museum. Doors are open from 11 in the morning until 4 that afternoon.
The full name of the host site is the Woodson African-American Museum, and it sits at 2240 9th Ave. S. The event is open to all ages, though organizers built the day around getting kids excited about picking up a book and sticking with it.
This is the fifth year for the festival, which is presented by the Cultured Books Literacy Foundation. Top billing goes to author Carole Boston Weatherford, a Newbery Honor recipient, and illustrator R. Gregory Christie, whose work has drawn a Caldecott Honor.
Visitors can expect author appearances, giveaways, book swaps, live music and a row of vendor booths. One booth will let kids build their own decorated bookmarks, and a mobile bookstore will sell new titles while running a bring-one-get-one swap.
Music is part of the program too. The Florida Orchestra’s Mary Corbett will lead storytimes set to music, and members of the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association are also on the bill. Writing workshops, hands-on art, local authors and community resource tables round out the day.
Admission costs nothing. Advance registration is encouraged, and families who decide that morning can still register at the door.
Funding for the 2026 edition comes in part from Creative Pinellas, through a grant tied to Pinellas County arts tourism money.
For parents looking for a weekend outing that does not involve a screen, the five-hour window leaves room to drop in for a reading, swap a stack of finished books and catch a set of music before heading home.
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