Monroeville Literary Festival 2026

Join us February 26 through February 28, 2026 for Alabama’s most exciting weekend for people who love to read!

An event filled with book readings, author signings, and literary fun!

We bring readers and writers together in the Literary Capital of Alabama! Our courtroom is one of the South’s most celebrated literary destinations, and hearing authors read in this space is pure magic.

2026 Featured Authors:

Ace Atkins, Harper Lee Award • Patricia Foster, Alabama Capote Prize

John Archibald • Anne Byrn • Emily Carpenter • Carolyn Haines • Honorée Fanonne Jeffers • Jo Kittinger. •. Lesa Carnes Shaul • Tom Spencer • Eric Erdman, songwriter

Location: Old Courthouse Museum • Monroeville, Alabama

251-575-7433 • Find out more at MonroevilleLiteraryFestival.com

info@ MonroevilleLiteraryFestival.com

See full schedule: MonroevilleLiteraryFestival.com

Many events are free, but registration is required.

Thursday, February 26 - Guided Tours offered twice - 2 p.m and 3 p.m.

Courthouse Museum Tour

Led by master storyteller Rabun Williams, this special tour gives you the inside scoop on Harper Lee, Truman Capote and the courthouse that was once their hangout. Free, but registration is required. (Limited to 15 participants.)

The Literary Capital Sculpture Trail Tour

Fourteen bronze sculptures in Historic Downtown Monroeville honor the 10 writers credited with making Monroeville/ Monroe County the Literary Capital of Alabama. You'll learn new details on Harper Lee, Truman Capote, Mark Childress and others. Free, but registration is required. (Limited to 15 participants.)

Monroeville Walking Tour

Many of the buildings and landmarks that shaped the works of Harper Lee and Truman Capote have been lost, but this tour recreates that magical world. Iconic works like To Kill a Mockingbird and A Christmas Memory come to life as you stroll Monroeville streets. Free, but registration is required. (Limited to 15 participants.)

Thursday, February 26, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Meet the Artists/Festival Welcome Reception – The Shop at 66

Join us to kick off this year’s Festival and Monroeville Main Street’s Paint the Town event with a FREE Meet the Artists/Festival Welcome Reception on Thursday! Meet your fellow festivalgoers and the participating artists while enjoying free refreshments at The Shop at 66. The Shop will serve as a shared space for the Paint Out and the Monoreville Literary Festival. Artists participating in the 2026 Paint the Town event will bring samples of their work which will be on display throughout the weekend. Works created during the Paint Out will be on display as they are completed but will not be available for sale until the Wet Paint Sale on Saturday afternoon, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 26, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Songwriter Concert with Eric Erdman

We kick off the weekend with a performance by one of the Gulf Coast’s most popular singer-songwriters. Eric Erdman is a guitar slinging troubadour. His lyrics paint stories that are introspective and deep, quirky but palatable. His songs draw listeners in like old friends. Eric has penned the theme song for Drag Race High. His song “Stone’s Throw” is a hit for the Red Clay Strays and is featured on both the Strays’ “Moments to Remember” and “Live at The Ryman” albums. His song “Caddo County” (with Dave Cobb and The Red Clay Strays) is featured on the 2025 Grammy nominated Twisters soundtrack.

Performance is FREE, but seating is limited. Please register.

Comprehensive Ticket

Best Deal! Includes Friday evening Awards Reception & Dinner Buffet, Saturday Southern Luncheon, and a free heavy canvas book bag at a discounted price of $85.

Click get tickets on the top right side of this page or call the museum at 251-575-7433.

Friday, February 27, 2026 – 6:30 p.m.

An Awards Reception and Dinner Buffet at the Shop honoring Harper Lee Award recipient Ace Atkins and Capote Prize winner Patricia Foster.

($60, advance purchase required) Let’s celebrate and toast our award winners!

Enjoy a relaxed time with our visiting authors and other festivalgoers and sample an elegant spread of Southern foods, wine and music.

The Shop at 66 Event Center is located at 66 S. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Monroeville, AL 36460.

Click get tickets on the top right side of this page or call the museum at 251-575-7433.

Saturday, February 28, 2026, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m.

A Southern Lunch at The Shop at 66

($30, advance purchase required). Because we believe good food fuels Southern literature, we want you to enjoy an authentic Southern meal. From peas to cornbread and cakes to pies, it’s a meal to remember.

The Shop at 66 is located at 66 S. Mt. Pleasant Avenue Monroeville, AL 36460.

Click get tickets on the top right side of this page or call the museum at 251-575-7433.