Posted by Maleeha Mir on 16 September 2026, in News, Recommendations
Frankfurter Buchmesse is the place to be in October. It is the most important trading hub for printed and digital content and a key event in the cultural and social calendar. This year the fair takes place between 7-11 October and will welcome publishing experts, creative industry professionals, authors, VIPs, journalists and culture lovers from around the globe where they will connect, discuss, negotiate, be inspired and celebrate books and stories.
Find Your Way around Frankfurt: The Hall Plan
The 2026 book fair’s renewed hall layout is designed to enhance the experience of trade exhibitors and visitors in Frankfurt. All exhibitors with an international B2B focus will be located on the upper hall levels, while those focusing on attracting the fair’s public visitors will be based on the halls’ ground levels. There will be more stages than ever before – one in each hall – and the Frankfurter Buchmesse app and the hall plan (below) will help visitors to navigate their way around: www.buchmesse.de/en/hall-plan.
To help with planning the book fair team has put together a list of 6 unmissable events at this year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse.
40 Years Frankfurt Rights Meeting – Anniversary Edition
Online in September and on the fairgrounds on Tuesday, 6 Oct., 5 pm, Dialogue Stage
In its 40th year, the Frankfurt Rights Meeting continues to be the conference for rights and licensing professionals from all over the world. To mark its anniversary, tickets for the online sessions and the networking event are available at a special price, starting at 24 euros.
Programme and more information: www.buchmesse.de/frm
In Conversation with Pulitzer Prize Winner Jill Lepore
Wednesday, 7 Oct., 11 am, Dialogue Stage
America’s foremost historian, Jill Lepore, and Christina Morina, a leading German historians, discuss the risks and perils facing democracy in the United States and in Germany today.
https://event.buchmesse.de/sessions/61735
Global 50 CEO Talk with Tobias Wann, CEO of tonies
Wednesday, 7 Oct., 12 pm, Dialogue Stage
This year’s guest will be Tobias Wann, CEO of tonies, whose interactive audio system combines an intuitive player with collectible figurines carrying stories, music and educational content.
https://event.buchmesse.de/sessions/65122
Frankfurt Kids Conference: Rewriting the Future
Wednesday, 7 Oct., 3.30 pm, Imagination Stage
This year's Frankfurt Kids Conference brings together the international children's publishing industry under the theme "Rewriting the Future". Two panels will address the most pressing questions in the business: how to produce high-quality books under financial pressure and what drives optimism in publishing today. Speakers include Perminder Mann, CEO of Simon & Schuster UK, and Karine Leclerc, Co-Founder of Éditions La Doux. Free admission with a valid exhibitor or trade visitor ticket.
https://event.buchmesse.de/sessions/49633
Publishing Perspectives Forum
Developing, Supporting or Directing: The Role of Global Audio Platforms in Emerging Markets
Thursday, 8 Oct., 1.30 pm, Dialogue Stage
Over the last several years, large audiobook platforms have expanded into less well-developed markets around the world with the desire to build new audiences of listeners. This growth can bring enormous opportunity, but also raises important questions about local ecosystems, local-language content, and what it means for smaller domestic players. The panellists will look closely at both sides of this discussion. Speakers include Ali Abd El-Moneim Ahmed, CEO & Co-founder, Arabookverse International and Ama Dadson, Founder & CEO, AkooBooks Audio Ltd.
https://event.buchmesse.de/sessions/60054
The PublisHer Panels – Don’t Be The Last Woman In The Room
Thursday, 8 Oct., 4 pm, Global Stage
For decades, many women fought to earn a seat at the table. Today, the challenge is different: ensuring they are not the last. Industry leaders discuss sponsorship, succession and building leadership pipelines that create lasting change rather than isolated success.
https://event.buchmesse.de/sessions/61545
What‘s Their Take? Young Voices from Around the World
Thursday 8 Oct., 5 pm, Global Stage
Young writers, activists, and thinkers from across the globe on what it means to be young, engaged, and unsilenced in 2026. From literature to activism, from digital spaces to the streets — each voice brings a distinct perspective on the world as they find it, and the world as they want it to be.
https://event.buchmesse.de/sessions/55804
Beyond the Headlines: Authors from Countries in Crisis Read and Reflect on Their Work and Human Rights (organised by United Nations Publications)
Friday 9 Oct., 3 pm, Global Stage
This event brings together authors from countries affected by geopolitical conflict, some still in the global spotlight, while others have faded from daily headlines and are now simply labelled as “protracted” crises. Moving beyond the news cycle, the authors will read from their work and share personal reflections on storytelling in times of crisis.
https://event.buchmesse.de/sessions/51516
