Free entry, mini buses to Chennai Book Fair 2026

Bookworms will now be able to visit the 49th edition of the Chennai Book Fair 2026 for free, whereas previously a fee of ₹10 was collected. The book fair will be held from January 8, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Addressing media persons on Tuesday, Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI) president R.S Shanmugam said, “The Chennai Book Fair will feature over 1,000 stalls. These include 428 Tamil stalls, 256 English stalls, and 24 general stalls, with around 400 participants. Among them, 240 participants represent Tamil publications and 130 represent English publications.”

Further, mini buses will run between Saidapet and the book fair venue to transport visitors to and from the grounds. Among other facilities includes, ATM machines, which will be installed within the book fair premises, and at around 15 locations, facilities will be available for debit and credit card swiping. The entire venue will be under CCTV cameras and with security personnel posted.

“Free Wi-Fi facilities, mobile phone charging points, purified drinking water, and sufficient toilet facilities have been arranged. Special arrangements including breastfeeding rooms for mothers, resting spaces for senior citizens, and wheelchair facilities for the elderly and persons with disabilities have also been made,” he said. Additionally, a blood donation camp will be conducted everyday.

On January 12, a ‘Chennai Reads’ event will be held at the book fair where 3,000 school children will participate in reading activities. Among the other highlights of the book fair include two special pavilions by the Postal Department to provide information on postal services, while the other will offer complete services related to Aadhaar cards and parcel services.

Further stalls by several Central and State government institutions will be set up such as the Sahitya Akademi, National Book Trust (NBT) Publication Division, Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation, and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department among others.

The book fair will be held until January 21 from 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m at the YMCA grounds in Nandanam.