The Karachi International Book Fair is held every December at the Karachi Expo Centre, and it is the largest book fair in Pakistan. The 21st edition is listed for 17 to 21 December 2026 in Halls 1, 2 and 3, with a five-day run and daily hours that have been 10 am to 9 pm in recent years.
If you are visiting Karachi from another city, the fair is worth building a weekend around. This guide covers the dates, the venue, what the halls are like, and how to fit it into a short stay.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Venue | Karachi Expo Centre, Halls 1, 2 and 3 |
| Usual month | December (five days) |
| 2026 edition | 17 to 21 December (21st fair, as listed in the Expo Centre schedule) |
| Recent daily hours | 10 am to 9 pm |
| Organiser | Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association |
| First held | 2005 |
When is the Karachi International Book Fair?
The fair is usually held in December, and the 2015 edition was the one exception. It was not held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 lockdown, and it resumed afterwards. The 19th fair ran from 12 to 16 December 2024 and the 20th from 18 to 22 December 2025, both from 10 am to 9 pm.
For 2026 the Expo Centre's booking schedule lists the 21st fair for 17 to 21 December, with the inauguration on the first day. Dates can shift, so confirm with the organisers or in the Karachi papers a few weeks ahead before you book travel.
Don't confuse it with other book events at the same venue. A separate Karachi International Books & EdTech Fair, run by different organisers, was held there on 2 to 4 May 2026, and the Karachi Literature Festival is a different event with a different format.
What is at the fair?
The Expo Centre halls fill with stalls from Pakistani publishers and booksellers and with international exhibitors. Reports on the 2024 and 2025 fairs gave figures of more than 320 stalls, about 140 Pakistani publishers and booksellers, and around 40 exhibitors from 17 countries. Treat these as the organisers' numbers, and they change a little each year.
What visitors mostly come for:
- Discounted books. Press coverage of recent editions mentions discounts of up to 50 per cent, though how much you get depends on the stall.
- Urdu, English and Sindhi titles side by side, from school textbooks and Islamic literature to children's books and fiction.
- Stationery and school supplies, which take up a good share of the floor.
- Side programmes such as author sessions and children's activities, which vary from year to year.
The fair draws very large crowds. The organisers said around 500,000 people attended the 2023 fair, so expect packed aisles in the evenings and on the weekend.
Where is the Karachi Expo Centre?
The Expo Centre is on University Road in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, in the east of the city. It has parking listed at about 2,400 cars, and the site is served by University Road and Stadium Road.
From central Karachi, allow anywhere from 30 minutes to well over an hour depending on traffic, and more on the weekend evenings when the fair is busiest. Our guide to getting around Karachi without a car explains the bus, ride-hailing and rickshaw options, and ride-hailing apps are the simplest way to avoid the parking crush.
Entry and tickets
We could not find a published ticket price for the fair in recent press coverage, so we don't give one. Entry arrangements have varied between editions, so check the organisers' announcements close to the date and carry some cash in case of a gate charge. Books are paid for at each stall, so keep cash on you in case a stall can't take cards.
How to plan your visit
- Go on a weekday afternoon if you can. The first day is usually the inauguration, and the middle weekend is the busiest.
- Arrive early in the day for the best choice on popular titles and easier movement between halls.
- Bring a bag with handles or a small trolley bag. Books are heavy, and stalls do not always have strong bags.
- Set a budget and a list. Everything looks like a bargain in the second hour.
- Allow three to four hours. Three halls take longer to cover than they look on paper.
- Bring water and eat before you go, so you are not stuck in a queue for food at peak hours.
Is the fair worth a trip from another city?
If you like books and have any reason to be in Karachi in mid-December, yes. The range under one roof, and the prices on many titles, are hard to match in an ordinary shop. Families with school-age children get the most out of it.
It is less useful as the only reason for a long journey. A day at the fair pairs well with a heritage walk or the sights in our places to visit in Karachi guide, and our two-day Karachi itinerary shows how to fit it in. If you are new to the city, read is Karachi safe for tourists before you plan late evenings. See our experiences page for other things to do on a trip.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Karachi International Book Fair in 2026?
The 21st fair is listed for 17 to 21 December 2026 at the Karachi Expo Centre. Check the organisers a few weeks before, as dates can move.
What time does the Karachi book fair open?
Recent editions ran from 10 am to 9 pm each day. Hours have been the same in 2024 and 2025 but are not guaranteed for 2026.
Where is the Karachi International Book Fair held?
In Halls 1, 2 and 3 of the Karachi Expo Centre on University Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
Is there an entry fee for the Karachi book fair?
We could not confirm a ticket price from recent reports. Ask the organisers or check announcements shortly before the fair.
Who organises the Karachi International Book Fair?
The Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association, which has run it since it began in 2005.
Can I buy books at a discount there?
Many stalls offer discounts, and recent coverage mentions up to 50 per cent. The amount varies by stall and title.
