FILBo 2026: When Bogotá Becomes the World Capital of Books
The Bogotá International Book Fair is not just an event; it's a ritual that each year transforms the city into a territory where words reign. Between April and May 2026, the Corferias exhibition center will be filled with that particular silence that only exists between bookshelves, interrupted by murmurs of readers discovering new worlds and the crackle of pages being opened for the first time.
FILBo has that magic of turning passersby into literary explorers. It doesn't matter if you arrive looking for a specific bestseller or simply to wander the aisles; you always end up finding something you didn't know you needed to read. It's the place where books find their readers, and where readers discover versions of themselves they never knew existed.
Dates, Schedules and Location: Your Map to Not Miss Anything
Official dates: April 22 to May 4, 2026
Schedules: Monday to Friday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm | Saturdays and Sundays: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Location: Corferias, Carrera 40 #22-67, Bogotá, Colombia
Admission cost: General: $15,000 COP | Students and seniors: $10,000 COP | Children under 12: free admission
Corferias transforms during these days. What is normally a space for trade fairs becomes a city within the city, with its own streets (thematic aisles), plazas (rest areas), and temporary inhabitants (books and their authors).
Authors Who Will Bring Pages to Life
FILBo 2026 brings a constellation of writers who will make words leap from the pages. Among those confirmed:
- Isabel Allende (Chile) - The magician of magical realism returns with her new historical novel
- Fernando Vallejo (Colombia) - The literary controversialist will present his latest essay
- Megan Maxwell (Spain) - The queen of contemporary romance in Spanish
- Juan Gabriel Vásquez (Colombia) - The storyteller who explores Colombian collective memory
- Mariana Enríquez (Argentina) - Master of literary horror and the supernatural
- Paul Auster (United States) - The New York writer who plays with identity and chance
Each author brings not only their books but their particular worldview. Listening to them speak is like having access to the drafts of their minds, to the doubts that preceded the certainties that ended up printed.
Activities That Go Beyond Book Signings
FILBo is much more than buying books. It is:
- Meetings with editors: Intimate talks about the creative process behind books
- Creative writing workshops: For those who want to go from readers to writers
- Live illustration: Artists creating while the public watches images being born
- Dramatized readings: Actors giving voice to literary characters
- Children's zone: A space where children discover that reading can be an adventure
- Academic forums: Discussions about the future of books in the digital age
Tips from an Experienced Visitor
After attending ten editions of FILBo, I've learned that:
- Arrive early on weekends - Lines form quickly and parking fills up
- Use public transportation - The TransMilenio "Av. Américas" station is a 5-minute walk away. Avoid traffic and parking stress
- Bring a comfortable backpack - You'll end up carrying more books than you planned to buy
- Stay hydrated and eat light - There are food options inside Corferias, but prices are typical fair prices
- Plan but leave room for surprise - Check the official schedule, but allow some unknown stand to capture you
- Accessibility is good - Corferias has ramps, adapted restrooms, and wheelchairs available
Stands You Can't Miss
Each publisher has its personality at FILBo:
- Penguin Random House - The giant with the most anticipated international releases
- Planeta - Where you'll find Spanish-language bestselling authors
- Editorial Universidad Nacional - For critical thinking and Colombian academia
- Laguna Libros - The independent publisher rescuing new and daring voices
- Fondo de Cultura Económica - The classic that never disappoints
- France Stand (guest of honor 2026) - Contemporary French literature and classics in new translations
Each stand has its particular energy. Some are bustling and full of new releases, others are quiet and specialized. The beautiful thing is that you can go from Japanese literature to Colombian poetry in just a few steps.
The Silent Miracle of FILBo
The most extraordinary thing about FILBo isn't visible at first glance. It's that moment when someone flips through a book and their expression changes. It's the child who discovers that words can create worlds. It's the senior citizen who finds an author who speaks directly to their experience. It's the student who understands that literature isn't a subject, but a conversation that has been happening for centuries.
FILBo 2026 will once again be the place where Bogotá demonstrates that it still believes in the transformative power of reading. Where for a few days, the most valuable thing isn't what you can buy, but what you can discover.
Share this guide with other book lovers and plan your visit to FILBo 2026. Because some events change your schedule, but FILBo has the power to change how you see the world.
