The Lahore International Book Fair is a five-day annual book fair at the Expo Centre in Johar Town, run by the LIBF Trust. It is usually held in the cooler months, and the 39th edition ran from 4 to 8 February 2026, open roughly 10am to 10pm. If you are searching for the Lahore book fair dates, the pattern is the useful part: a Wednesday-to-Sunday run, most often around February, though it has moved (a spring edition in March 2023 and a May edition in 2022).
This guide covers when to go, what you will find, and how to spend a day there without a sore back or an empty wallet. Dates for the next edition were not announced at the time of writing, so check the organisers before you plan.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Venue | Expo Centre Lahore, 1-A Johar Town |
| Organiser | LIBF Trust (libftrust.com) |
| Length | Five days, Wednesday to Sunday |
| Latest edition | 39th, 4 to 8 February 2026 |
| Daily hours (2026) | About 10am to 10pm |
| Busiest days | Saturday and Sunday |
| Entry fee | Not confirmed; ask the organisers |
When is the Lahore International Book Fair held?
The fair is annual, and recent editions have mostly been in early February: the 2025 edition ran until 9 February and the 2026 one from 4 to 8 February. Earlier years shifted around, including a March 2023 fair, the first spring edition after a three-year gap caused by Covid, and a May 2022 one.
Because the date can move, treat any date you read here or elsewhere as provisional until the LIBF Trust confirms it. Their website and social media accounts are where the new dates appear first. Book travel to Lahore only after that if the fair is the reason for the trip.
Where is it and how do you get there?
The fair takes place at the Lahore International Expo Centre in Johar Town, in the south-west of the city, away from the Walled City and Mall Road. Allow time: from central Lahore the drive can be long in the evening rush.
Ride-hailing is the easiest option, and it is worth arranging your return in advance because demand spikes when the fair closes. If you are driving, expect crowded car parks at weekends and arrive early. Our guide to getting around Lahore covers the ride-hailing and rickshaw options.
What is inside the fair?
Wikipedia puts the number of participating publishers at around 165, both Pakistani and foreign, with visitors from the Middle East, the UK, the US and India represented among exhibitors. Lahore is the centre of Urdu publishing, and the stalls reflect it.
Expect halls of stalls covering:
- Urdu and English literature, poetry and fiction
- Islamic studies and history
- Children's books and school textbooks
- Medicine, engineering, computing, law and business titles
- Rare and out-of-print editions from specialist dealers
Dawn's coverage of the 2025 fair mentioned stalls from Readings, Oxford and Sang-e-Meel, as well as collectors offering vintage editions and records. Prices ran from cheap paperbacks to collector items costing hundreds of thousands of rupees, so you will find something at any budget.
What does it cost?
We could not confirm a 2026 entry price from the organisers or a reliable report, so we will not quote one. Some large events at Expo Centre charge a modest entry fee, but the book fair's policy can differ, so check the LIBF Trust's website or call the number listed there before you go.
Books are usually where the saving is. Publishers often offer discounts during the fair, but the size varies by stall, so compare a few before buying. Carry cash in smaller notes, and ask if a stall takes cards.
Tips for a good visit
- Go on a weekday if you can. Dawn reported Saturday and Sunday as the busiest days, and Friday gets crowded after prayers. Wednesday to Thursday is calmer.
- Start with a list. The halls are large, and it is easy to spend three hours at the first ten stalls.
- Go in the afternoon. The fair stays open until late, and the evening is livelier than the morning.
- Bring a bag. Books are heavy, and some stalls run out of carrier bags.
- Check condition. For rare or second-hand books, check the edition and binding before paying.
Who it suits, and what to do instead
The fair suits readers, students, parents buying children's books and anyone who wants to browse Urdu publishing in one place. It is a poor choice if you have only one day in Lahore and want the fort, the mosques and the food streets. It is a long ride from the Walled City for a visit that takes two to three hours.
If you want a year-round alternative, Urdu Bazaar near the old city sells books all year. For talks and authors rather than stalls, look at the Lahore Literary Festival and the Faiz Festival. For the Karachi equivalent, see our Karachi International Book Fair guide. More things worth planning around are in our Lahore experiences list.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Lahore International Book Fair?
The 39th edition ran from 4 to 8 February 2026. The fair is annual and usually lasts five days, but dates have shifted between years, so wait for the LIBF Trust to announce the next one.
Where is the Lahore book fair held?
At the Expo Centre in Johar Town, Lahore, address 1-A Johar Town.
What are the Lahore book fair timings?
In 2026, the fair was open from about 10am to 10pm. Check the timings for the current year, as they can change.
Is there an entry ticket for the Lahore book fair?
We could not verify the current entry fee. Contact the LIBF Trust or check libftrust.com before you go.
Which day is best to visit the book fair?
Weekdays are quieter. Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days, and Friday evening is busy after prayers.
