The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is back for its 30th anniversary and will be taking place on April 26-27 here at USC. The ‘country’s largest literary festival’ will be filled with activities and outdoor events, with more than 200 authors and celebrity panels.
General admission is free, but certain events are ticketed and must be purchased beforehand to reserve your spot. For more information, pricing and details, including packages, are available on the Festival of Books website here. You can also find a map for the event here.
The festival offers a variety of stages located throughout campus with unique panels, exhibitor booths and book signings.
Last year was the first time there was a Latine stage at the festival with the Latinidad Stage, which is now known as the De los Stage in Association with L.A. Times en Español. The stage, located on South Trousdale in the Cardinal Zone, will feature panels emphasizing the Latino vote and the cultural significance of food. There will also be a panel on the legend Fernando Valenzuela, who pitched for the Dodgers, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The stage will also feature Julio Vaquerio, Telemundo’s national evening anchor and a frequent visitor to USC Annenberg. He’s set to take the stage Sunday at 3:45 p.m. Vaqueiro will talk about his book, Rio Bravo, which explores Trump’s presidency and the administration’s goals as well as Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidential victory in Mexico. These topics are explored through the lens of immigration in the United States.
“We really tried to consider so many facets, one of the goals of the stage is to really amplify the nuanced stories that exist within our community,” said Norma Fabian Newton, a contributor and emcee for the L.A. Times Festival of Books working closely with the De Los Stage and L.A. Times en Español team.
Newton is excited to play a part and work with these two teams for the Festival of Books this weekend. Newton is a self-proclaimed ‘Latina book advocate.’ Her personal work reflects what the De Los Stage will present; to amplify Latine stories and shift the way these stories are perceived, all while creating an appreciation behind each one.
“We really tried to bring together a group of very diverse authors from across the country, we considered genres, we considered, you know, are they mid-career, are they you know, debut authors,” said Newton. “I don’t think I can select one panel because I think they’re all going to be amazing.”
Here are a few events the Dímelo team recommends checking out at the De Los Stage.
This panel explores how the power of food can create a community by bringing people together. It’s hosted by Alba Vasquez, food equity advocate, chef Wes Avila, and Karla Tatyana Vasquez, a cookbook author. This panel takes place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m.
Borders and Beyond: An Exploration of Migration and its Realities
Later in the day on Saturday, April 26, at 2:45 p.m., panelists will come together to discuss migration, border crossings and the realities that come with movements across borders. Among them are Jason De León, winner of the 2024 National Book Award for Nonfiction and a UCLA professor, Paola Mendoza, author of the book SOLIS, and Stephanie L. Canizales, a researcher and author of Sin Padres, Ni Papeles. Fidel Martinez, the editorial director of De Los, will be moderating the panel.
Voto Latino: Post-Election Reflections
This panel will reflect on the influence and importance of the Latino vote and the impact this past election has had. This critical discussion is meant to offer new perspectives and be a discussion taking place on Sunday, April 27 at 11:45 a.m.
The stage will also be hosting events for children, such as Hora de cuentos con la Biblioteca Pública de Los Ángeles. A time for bilingual storytime with the Los Angeles Public Library Children’s Librarians will be available on both Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. For the full lineup, click ‘De Los Stage in Association with L.A. Times en Español’ in the locations section of the festival’s schedule or check out the Instagram post below.
You can visit the De Los Stage in Association with L.A. Times en Español on April 26-27, along with other stages featured! Special ticketed events can be purchased online.