2026
Schedule at-a-glance
PRODUCED BY
What does the weekend look like?
Check it out below! And register here:
Friday, September 25
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Opening Panel — FREE
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 10 a.m.
Book signing to follow.
11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Lunch at the Headquarters Tent on the lawn of the Red Brick Center for the Arts — Food vouchers for sale
Food trucks to be announced
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Panel — FREE
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 12 p.m.
Book signing to follow.
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Panel — FREE
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 1:30 p.m.
Book signing to follow.
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Panel — FREE
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 3:00 p.m.
Book signing to follow.
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Robert Kolker & Nelson Dellis
REMEMBERING AND FORGETTING— TICKETED ($45)
Moderated by Miwa Messer
The Wheeler Opera House (320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen)
*Doors at 4:30 p.m.
Book signing to follow.
6:30 - close p.m.
AFL After Dark Block Party — FREE (with wristband)
Details to be announced
Saturday, September 26
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Writing Workshop led by Christina Baker Kline
THE STORIES WE INHERIT: TURNING MEMORY AND LIVED EXPERIENCE INTO FICTION — TICKETED ($150)
Explore Books (221 E Main St, Aspen)
Every writer carries a private archive: family stories, charged memories, recurring images, rumors, secrets, and places we cannot quite leave behind. In this generative workshop, participants will identify the material with the greatest imaginative heat and begin shaping it into fiction, memoir, or hybrid prose. The workshop will explore choosing the right moment, building vivid scenes, compressing time, sharpening stakes, and transforming lived experience into writing that feels crafted, surprising, and alive.
All levels; open to writers of fiction, memoir, and creative nonfiction.
Maximum 18 participants
Registration may be purchased through the General Admission registration pathway.
Next Gen Panel — FREE (ideal for kids)
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 9:00 a.m.
Book signing to follow.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Panel — FREE
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 10:30 a.m.
Book signing to follow.
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Lunch at the Headquarters Tent on the lawn of the Red Brick Center for the Arts — Food vouchers for sale
Food trucks to be announced
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Kate Bowler & Peter Reynolds
MAKE YOUR MARK — TICKETED ($45)
Moderated by Tim Ehrenberg
The Wheeler Opera House (320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen)
*Doors at 1:00 p.m.
Book signing to follow.
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Panel — FREE
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 2:00 p.m.
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Veronica Roth & Fonda Lee
BEYOND THE KNOWN WORLD — TICKETED ($45)
Moderated by Kate Tuttle
The Wheeler Opera House (320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen)
*Doors at 4:00 p.m.
Book signing to follow.
6:30-8:00 p.m.
After Words: The Party — TICKETED ($300)
Paul JAS Center (422 E Cooper Ave, Aspen)
Celebrate the Aspen Literary Festival with an unforgettable evening of delicious food, cocktails, music, fine wine, and a variety show featuring Festival authors. Your ticket also helps keep the Aspen Literary Festival accessible and open to all!
Party access is included with the Friends of the Festival pass.
Individual party tickets are $300 and may be purchased through the General Admission registration pathway.
Sunday, September 27
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Ariel Lawhon, Shannon Sanders & Lisa See
AGAINST THE TIDE — TICKETED ($45)
Moderated by Kate Tuttle
The Wheeler Opera House (320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen)
*Doors at 10:30 a.m.
Book signing to follow.
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Next Gen Panel — FREE (ideal for kids)
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 9:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Lunch at the Headquarters Tent on the lawn of the Red Brick Center for the Arts — Food vouchers for sale
Food trucks to be announced
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Panel — FREE
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 12:00 p.m.
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Panel — FREE
Speakers to be announced
*Doors at 1:30 p.m.
Book signing to follow.
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Jennette McCurdy & Maria Semple
BAD DECISIONS, GREAT STORIES — TICKETED ($45)
Moderated by Tim Ehrenberg
The Wheeler Opera House (320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen)
*Doors at 3:30 p.m.
Book signing to follow.