2026 Attendee Dashboard

Scroll down for Festival News & Updates

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Scroll down for Festival News & Updates 〰️

Welcome to Harbor Springs!

We’re so happy to have you here for our 2026 Festival! Scroll down to see the following:

  • Any last minute changes or important updates will be posted next.

  • Important links like session evaluations are next.

  • Answers to other common questions can be found below the Quick Links.

  • All general information is also in your printed Festival Program.

  • Use the Search Bar below to find the information you are looking for from the website.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

  1. Parking is going to be a challenge all weekend because of the Melges Sailboat races. On Saturday, we highly recommend parking at the High School and using the shuttle or the Boardwalk.

  2. If you have PRE-ORDERED merchandise, your order is at the Merch table at Irish Boat Shop. Don’t forget to pick it up.

  3. Remember, seating is all on a first come, first served basis. If a venue is full, there are always other excellent options in other venues.

SCHEDULE UPDATES:

  • As of September 26th, all is as written.

  • We are pleased to confirm that Ham El-Waylly will be able to attend the Saturday 2 pm session Memories of What & How We Eat at the Lyric Theatre.

  • The sold out dinner tonight with Scott Simon at The Highlands is in the Blue Green Room of the Main Lodge. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Quick Links

Session Evaluations
Mobile-Friendly Schedule-At-A-Glance
2026 Festival Program
Donate

  • Each session has a brief online evaluation for you to complete. You can access the evaluation here. If you prefer to fill out a paper evaluation, they are available at the Festival Merchandise Table at Irish Boat Shop.

    Watch your inbox for our more in-depth Festival evaluation the week of September 28th.

  • Name badges are required for admittance to General Sessions and can be picked up at Irish Boat Shop during the Festival Weekend:

    • Thursday 1 - 5 pm

    • Friday 9 am - 5 pm

    • Saturday 8 am - 3:30 pm

    • Sunday 9:30 - 10:30 am

    The Festival printed program is available at Registration.

    Registration is SOLD OUT and all online ticket sales have ended. Happy Hour Drink tickets will be sold at the door.

  • Pre-ordered Bag Lunches are available for pick up at Irish Boat Shop beginning at 11:15 AM on Friday and Saturday.

    Beverages are NOT included. Please bring your own water bottle.

    You are permitted to bring a lunch to all venues hosting sessions from 11:45 am - 1:15 pm.

  • A full map is located on page 3 of the Festival Program. You can also view a digital version here.

    Venues (click address to see on Google Maps):

  • Parking is available throughout downtown Harbor Springs. Because of the Melges Sailboat races, parking will be challenging. On Saturday we highly recommend you park at the Harbor Springs High School and use the shuttle.

    Saturday Shuttle | 8:30 - 10 am , 12 - 1:30 pm. 3:30 - 6:00 pm

    The PARKING SHUTTLE route is a continuous loop with stops at:

    • Harbor Springs High School front entrance

    • Shay Park Tent

    • Irish Boat Shop

    • Harbormaster Building near the Marina Park Tent

    • Corner of Bay & State Streets

    The route is less than 3⁄4 of a mile round trip, so you will never have a long wait.

    Look for the shuttle (Nub’s Nob bus) and the sandwich board signage at each stop.

  • On Friday & Saturday, Golf Carts are available along Bay Street only 30 minutes BEFORE & AFTER each scheduled session. Pick-up & Drop-off locations:

    • Shay Park Tent

    • Irish Boat Shop

    • Harbormaster Building near the Marina Park Tent

    • Corner of Bay & State Streets

    Look for the sandwich board signage at each stop.

  • Between the Covers is the official bookstore vendor of the Festival and sponsors the Pop-Up Bookstore at Irish Boat Shop and the book sales after each session.

    Hours:

    • Thursday 1 - 5 pm

    • Friday 9 am - 5 pm

    • Saturday 8:30 am - 6:30 pm

    • Sunday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

    All featured books will be sold, and presenters will be available to sign books at their venues immediately following their session.

    Cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay, and Tap to Pay at all locations.

    Roz Chast and Scott Simon will not be available to attend the
    All-Presenter Signing sessions on Saturday.

    No signed books will be available to purchase after Festival weekend.

    Festival merchandise and pop-up bookstore sales must be separate transactions.

    Between the Covers donates 20% of their weekend Festival book sales to the Harbor Springs Festival of the Book.

  • Out of respect for our presenters and fellow attendees, please limit both the quantity of books to be signed and your time spent in conversation with presenters. Signing is also reserved for books only.

  • Located at the Festival Merchandise Table at Irish Boat Shop.

Harbor Springs Weather

Our current weather forecast - keep this in mind and prepare accordingly for the three outdoor tent venues.

Other questions or concerns? Find a volunteer with a “VOLUNTEER” button at any venue or reach out to us by email or phone.

Support Us!

Having a great time? Want to be a part of the Festival family? The majority of our funding comes from individual donors. To say we can’t do it without you is no exaggeration. You have the option to make a one-time donation or become a sustaining “Bookend” donor with a monthly gift of $10. We hope you’ll consider making a contribution today.

Donate
Learn more

Follow us on social media! And post your own updates of the festival with #hsbookfest2026