The Palm Springs Book Festival has announced its complete programming for its inaugural three‑day celebration of books, authors, and community, taking place March 27–29 at Festival Theaters. Produced by the nonprofit project OUTspoken, the festival brings together acclaimed writers, bestselling authors, Pulitzer Prize winners, and major cultural voices for a weekend of conversations, workshops, screenings, and interactive events designed for readers and non‑readers alike.
A major highlight of the weekend is the advance screening of Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles, fresh off its world premiere at SXSW. The adaptation of Rufi Thorpe’s acclaimed novel—starring Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman, and Nick Offerman—will screen its first episode on Sunday, March 29, ahead of its global premiere on April 15. The free screening will be followed by a Q&A with Thorpe, forming part of a full day of no‑cost community programming funded by ticket sales from Friday and Saturday’s exclusive author events.
Ticketed Programming: Friday, March 27 & Saturday, March 28
Friday and Saturday feature marquee author conversations, panels, and special events. Tickets are available now at psbookfest.org, and each purchase directly supports Sunday’s free Community Day. Saturday morning coffee is generously provided by The Social Cafe & Play Lounge.
Program highlights include:
- Pulitzer Prize winner and MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart (Yet Here I Am) in conversation with Emmy‑winning journalist Byron Lane
- Pre‑release events for two of the year’s most anticipated novels: Lily Brooks‑Dalton’s Ruins and Lisa Lee’s American Han, the latter joined by Barnes & Noble podcast host Miwa Messer
- A conversation with Chris Whitaker (All the Colors of the Dark) and Justinian Huang (Lucky Seed), moderated by bookstagram favorite Jordan Moblo (@jordysbookclub)
- Oprah’s Book Club author Lara Love (The Many Lives of Mama Love) with author and activist Kate Schatz (Where the Girls Were)
Free Community Day: Sunday, March 29
Sunday’s programming is free and open to all ages, made possible by the support of Friday and Saturday ticket buyers. In addition to the Apple TV screening, the day features:
- Author Feud, a Family Feud‑style game with bestselling writers
- Children’s storytime with Police Chief Andy Mills, City Council Member Grace Garner, and Palm Springs drag icon Bella da Ball
- A screening of The Librarians, winner of “Best of the Fest” at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
- A community storytelling event with Myriam Gurba, zine‑making with journalist Maggie Downs, and a writing workshop led by Corey Roskin
- Poetry and cultural presentations from Danza Azteca Citlaltonac Indigenous Culture Center
- Stories from the Archives: Queer History of the Desert, presented by the LGBTQ+ History and Archives of the Desert
- A conversation between New York Times writer Erik Piepenburg and chef Susan Feniger
- Pop‑up library card sign‑ups and a community art project inspired by The Hundred Dresses
- A grand finale performance from Strong Words Live!, the desert’s storytelling community
The full schedule is available at psbookfest.org.
Featured Authors and Booksellers
The festival welcomes a wide roster of authors, including Sara Amini, Amy Jo Burns, Jonathan Capehart, Myriam Gurba, Justinian Huang, Claire Lombardo, Lara Love, Shobha Rao, R.K. Russell, Emily St. James, Susan Straight, Rufi Thorpe, Thrity Umrigar, Chris Whitaker, and many more.
Books throughout the weekend will be sold by Hey Books!, a queer‑owned Southern California bookstore committed to accessibility and affordability. On Sunday, gently used books will also be available from the Friends of the Palm Springs Public Library.
Before the Festival
Festival Theaters will host a week of beloved 90s literary adaptation screenings leading up to the event:
- March 20–26: Clueless and Sense and Sensibility (with Jane Austen door prizes courtesy of Penguin Random House)
- March 27–April 2: The Talented Mr. Ripley
The festival officially opens Friday with a special lunch at Workshop Kitchen + Bar, inspired by chef Ari Kolender’s How to Cook the Finest Things in the Sea (ticketed separately).
Tickets & Info
VIP and general admission tickets for Friday and Saturday’s exclusive programming are available now at psbookfest.org.