Frequently asked questions

Weather

What if the weather is bad?

The NH Book Festival will go on, rain or shine. All author events are all under shelter: Authors for adults will speak inside the Capitol Center for the Arts, and children’s authors will speak in the Kidlit Stage tent, on Main Street outside the Capitol Center. (In the unlikely event of severe weather, we’ll post alternative locations for children’s events on the festival website and social media.)

Parking

Where should I park?

We recommend the three downtown garages, where all-day parking is free on weekends. These are the Capitol Commons Parking Garage, 75 Storrs Street (two blocks from the festival), School Street Public Parking Garage, 17 School Street (three blocks from the festival), and State Street Public Parking Garage, 19 North State Street (four blocks from the festival.)

On-street parking in downtown Concord is metered, and parking on Main Street is limited to three hours.

More parking info here.

Food

Will there be anything to eat?

Yes! The festival will host several food vendors in the festival village, so you can find a snack or a meal easily.  

Downtown Concord also offers some great lunch and dinner options. For a quick meal or snack, we recommend these nearby spots, all on Main Street:

·      Constantly Pizza (pizza, subs, sandwiches and salads)

·      Gibson’s Café (sandwiches, salads, breakfast burritos all day, soup)

·      The Works Bakery (bagels, sandwiches, quinoa bowls, baked goods)

·      Dos Amigos (tacos, burritos, chili, salads)

·      Live Juice (salads, smoothies, wraps, fresh juices)

Book-signing policies

Will authors sign books?

Yes! Immediately following each panel, Festival authors will sign books that have been purchased on site at the Gibson’s book-festival tent. Signings from CCA Author Stage and Poetry Salon authors are located at the south end of the book- festival tent, and signings from KidLit Stage authors will sign inside Gibson’s Bookstore.

Can I bring my own books for festival authors to sign?

The festival’s free programs are made possible in part by book sales at the event. Please do not bring books from your own collection for signing.

Restrooms

Where are they?

Porta-potties are located near the north entrance of the Festival Village. Restrooms are also located on the ground floor of Capitol Center for the Arts, and in Gibson’s Bookstore, both in adult and children’s sections.

During author panels

What about during the author panels and conversations—what else do I need to know?

  • Book-festival venues are fully accessible.

  • Author conversations and panels will last about 45 minutes, followed by audience Q and A.

  • Feel free to wander in and out of a panel, but please be quiet as you do.

  • Please turn off all phone ringers and alerts.

  • Yes! You can take photos, and please do share on social media. We’d love it if you’d tag @nhbookfestival. But please, NO flash photography—it’s distracting to all.

More information at the festival

At the festival, you can get answers to your questions at the information booth between Gibson’s Bookstore and Gibson’s book-festival tent, or ask festival volunteer (look for the t-shirts with NHBF logo on front and VOLUNTEER on the back).

Festival Map

Coming soon!