Kochi International Book Festival

About this event

The Kochi International Book Festival (KIBF) is an established annual literary and publishing event organised by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithy, Kochi, a non-profit organisation founded in 1997 to promote reading and writing. The festival has grown into one of Kerala’s major book festivals, bringing together readers, publishers, booksellers, writers and cultural organisations. Its programme centres on a large book exhibition featuring publications in Malayalam, English and other Indian languages, with titles spanning fiction, non-fiction, academic works, children’s literature, poetry, translations and other subjects. The festival is not limited to book sales: its programme also incorporates literary discussions, seminars, author interactions, book launches, cultural performances, competitions and activities for children and young readers. The organisers launched the Kochi Literature Festival in 2016 as a parallel literary platform, allowing the wider festival to host writers and speakers from different linguistic and professional backgrounds. The 28th Kochi International Book Festival, held from 1 to 10 November 2025, took place at the Ernakulathappan Grounds in central Kochi, with the exhibition open from 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM. The 2025 edition included nearly 200 bookstalls, alongside literary and cultural programmes, while the National Book Trust, India organised a Children’s Corner featuring storytelling, educational activities and digital-library orientation. The festival has consequently developed into a meeting point for readers of different ages and interests, combining the traditional experience of browsing physical books with opportunities to engage directly with authors and literary communities. Its location at Ernakulathappan Grounds also places the event within central Ernakulam’s historic and cultural landscape, close to the Ernakulathappan Shiva Temple and major city attractions. For visitors interested in Kerala’s reading culture, publishing industry and contemporary literary life, the Kochi International Book Festival provides an opportunity to explore a broad selection of books while attending discussions and cultural programmes. The event is organised annually, but the dates, programme and participating publishers vary by edition; the organiser’s official website should be checked for the latest schedule before planning a visit.

🚆 Railway: Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station – approximately 1 km from the Ernakulathappan Grounds area; Ernakulam Town (North) is another major railway station serving central Kochi.

✈️ Airport: Cochin International Airport – approximately 30 km from central Ernakulam by road.

🚌 Bus: Ernakulam KSRTC Bus Station and Vyttila Mobility Hub provide bus connections to Kochi and other parts of Kerala. Local buses and city transport serve the Ernakulam city area.

🏨 Stay: Hotels, guesthouses and serviced accommodation are widely available in central Ernakulam, MG Road, Kaloor and surrounding Kochi areas.

✅ Notes: The festival is normally held over several days, with book exhibitions, literary programmes and cultural activities. The 28th edition ran from 1–10 November 2025 at Ernakulathappan Grounds. Check the organiser’s latest programme for the next edition’s dates, timings, author sessions and special events.