Bookfest: Readers, writers, publishers and media celebrate the start of the new book season together.

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Including. Aaf Brandt Corstius, Jan Siebelink, Karin Amatmoekrim, Arnon Grunberg, Simone van der Vlugt, Annet Schaap, Adriaan van Dis, Marjon Hoffman, Nancy Bosmans and Joost Oomen

The big new book festival for all readers of the Dutch-language book | Sunday 21 September 2025 | TivoliVredenburg Utrecht

On Sunday 21 September at TivoliVredenburg, ILFU is organising a major new festival: Boekfest. Readers, writers, publishers and media will come together on this Sunday to celebrate the start of the new book season. Today, we announce the first names and ticket sales start.

Which book should you really have read this autumn? Which debut authors are breaking through? What are the big themes in non-fiction? Five stages feature performances by writers, interviews, readings and panels. Readers will meet their favourite authors, discover new talents and be inspired by interactive readings, book signings and intimate interviews. Visitors can attend live recordings of popular book podcasts. And, of course, visitors can buy plenty of books and have them signed in the festival shop run by local bookshops.

"With Boekfest, we want to put Dutch writers, poets and children's book authors on a new platform of honour," said festival director Michaël Stoker. "More and more English-language books are being sold and read, while every year there is such a generous and brilliant selection of Dutch books. We will now celebrate this with a festival day in TivoliVredenburg, as the start of ILFU as well as the new book season."

First names

Aaf Brandt Corstius, Jan Siebelink, Karin Amatmoekrim, Arnon Grunberg, Simone van der Vlugt, Annet Schaap, Adriaan van Dis, Marjon Hoffman, Nancy Bosmans and Joost Oomen are on the programme. There are also live recordings of the TV programme VPRO Books and the podcast Van Dis Unfiltered.

Extensive children's programme

For children up to 12 and their parents, there is also plenty to do during Boekfest. In the lower area of the building - the 'circulation' and foyers around the Great Hall - there will be performances by children's book authors, reading sessions and all kinds of activities for children.

Boekfest + The Utrecht Book Market

Outside on the square next to TivoliVredenburg, the Utrecht Book Market takes place, focusing on antiquarian offerings. The book market, which has been taking place annually since 2018, is free to enter and attracts around 8,000 visitors every year. A visit to Boekfest can easily be combined with a visit to the Utrecht Book Market.

Ticket sales

Regular tickets cost €22.50, including a €10 Book voucher. Children's tickets are €5 and a family ticket €35, including one Book voucher.
Through partners, we offer discount tickets for €17.50, also including Book voucher. The voucher will be given to visitors upon entry and can be spent directly at Boekfest or later.

ILFU 2025: 20 September to 5 October

ILFU is an international festival for all disciplines of literary culture. The opening weekend with Boekfest, the NK Poetry Slam and the Utrecht Book Market will be followed by two more weeks including Book Talks with international writers, the festival weekend Exploring Stories on literature & society, the Young Adult Festival YALFU and the 42^ste Night of Poetry. Throughout the year, you can take writing and literature courses at the ILFU Academy and performances and get to know new writers on the online ILFU Daily.