Los Angeles Times Festival of Books: Crowd

USC has hosted the event — the nation’s largest literary festival — since 2011. (USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)

University

Literature lovers converge on campus for the L.A. Times Festival of Books

Tens of thousands turn out on the USC University Park Campus for the nation’s largest literary festival.

April 28, 2025 By USC staff

Despite a rainy start, the 30th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books drew thousands of book lovers to  USC’s University Park Campus on Saturday and Sunday. Attendees enjoyed exciting panels, informative conversations, musical performances (with an emphasis on talented Trojans) and booths stocked with literary merchandise.

USC experts were present across the festivities, The USC Trojan Marching Band kicked off the event on Saturday morning, professionals from Keck Medicine of USC provided health screenings at multiple booths and USC faculty members shared their expertise across panels on subjects ranging from the housing crisis to equity in climate change efforts. The event — the largest literary festival in the country — attracts more than 160,000 visitors each year.