The country’s biggest celebration of books returns this September with author meetups, major launches, live panels, and more than 165 exhibitors to explore.
You know that feeling when you pick up a book, read the first page, and suddenly need to take it home? Expect a lot of that at the Manila International Book Fair 2026.
MIBF returns to the SMX Convention Center Manila from September 9 to 13, bringing thousands of readers together for five days of books, stories, and happy discoveries.
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This year’s theme is “Get Lit: Reading in a New Light.” It is a fitting one for an event that reminds us why we fell in love with reading in the first place. Books can help us understand ourselves, visit places we have never seen, and feel a little less alone. Sometimes, they are also simply a great way to spend a quiet Sunday.
There is a book for almost everyone here
With 165 exhibitors spread across two floors, the fair has much more than the bestsellers you regularly see online.
Readers can browse books from National Book Store, Fully Booked, Anvil Publishing, Adarna House, Vibal Group, Summit Publishing, Precious Pages, and Penguin Random House Southeast Asia.
Those who love Philippine history, culture, and academic writing can stop by Ateneo de Manila University Press, University of the Philippines Press, and University of Santo Tomas Publishing House.
Make time for smaller publishers and local comics creators, too. The Indie Publishers Collab PH, Komiket Studios, 19th Avenida Publishing House, and 8Letters Bookstore & Publishing are among the exhibitors joining this year.
Their booths are worth visiting even if none of their titles appear on your shopping list. You might spot a beautiful komik, meet a new Filipino writer, or hear a publisher talk about a story that immediately sounds like your kind of read.
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These events deserve a place on your calendar
MIBF is not just one very large book-shopping trip. The official program has more than 49 special events, including launches, author signings, panels, workshops, performances, and storytelling sessions.
The Gintong Aklat Awards will help open the fair on September 9, celebrating outstanding books published in the Philippines.
On September 11, comics fans can attend Arts in Education: Comics and Creativity with Manix and Aria. Wattpad readers can join PH Wattpad Live: Stories Unfiltered, while journalist Howie Severino will appear for a meet-and-greet and book launch.
The day also includes Masaya Magbasa ng Komiks!, featuring Patti Ramos, Tristan Yuvienco, Vaughn Pinpin, Lucas Lacorte, and Carlorozy Clemente.
Saturday, September 12, is looking especially packed. Twin brothers Miguel Benjamin and Paolo Benjamin Guico of Filipino indie and folk-pop band Ben & Ben will launch The Traveller Across Dimensions, while Norwegian comics creator Malin Falch will lead a Manga from the North conversation and activity session.
Later that afternoon, author David Guerrero and moderator Lourd de Veyra will take the stage for The Beatles in Manila, a talk and book signing about the band’s unforgettable and chaotic 1966 visit to the Philippines.
Romance readers have something to look forward to on September 13. The Next Love Story will bring together Ines Bautista-Yao, Mica de Leon, Kyra Ysabel, and AK Tolentino for a panel about love stories.
The final day will also feature a discussion on adapting Filipino books into other forms of media, along with signings and meet-and-greets from PSICOM and Precious Pages.
Check the official MIBF events page before leaving home because schedules can still change.
Come for the books, stay for the book-loving crowd
Personally, MIBF gives me an excuse to meet friends and spend an entire day with people who love books as much as I do. We compare our finds, point each other toward interesting titles, and convince ourselves that one more purchase will not hurt.
I also love seeing readers of every age in the same place. Young kids hold picture books while older readers carefully scan shelves for their next read. In a world where almost everything lives on a screen, to me, it’s comforting to see people remain attached to the beauty of printed material.
Then there are the rows and rows of titles. Some covers immediately catch your eye, while others make you stop because you have never seen them in a bookstore before. With so many stories within reach, MIBF can feel like a dreamland for anyone who enjoys the simple pleasure of picking up a book and turning its pages.
Plan ahead so you can enjoy the day
MIBF can get crowded, and five hours can disappear surprisingly fast once you start browsing. A little preparation will make the day easier, especially if you want to catch an event, visit specific booths, and still have time to look around.
- The fair runs from 10 am to 8 pm on all five days. If you already have authors, events, or publishers in mind, check the official exhibitor directory and floor plans before you go.
- Wear comfortable shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring cash as well. Some exhibitors accept cards and e-wallets, but payment options vary, and most booths accept cash.
- Food and drinks cannot be brought into the exhibit halls and function rooms. Food concessionaires will be available inside the venue, so you can take a proper break before heading back to the booths.
- General admission costs P50. Students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities can get discounted P35 tickets with a valid ID. Tickets are available through SM Tickets.
- You can also find free passes from some exhibitors. National Book Store has downloadable passes on its website, while Fully Booked is giving away bookmark invites at participating Luzon branches while supplies last. Drop by a branch and ask the staff if passes are still available.
- Bring a sturdy tote because books get heavy faster than you think. I have been attending MIBF for years, and I always tell myself I will buy only one or two. Somehow, I end up going home with more.
- And lastly, setting a budget helps, although sticking to it is another story. And here is a nice bonus—if the author happens to be at the venue, you might even bring home a signed copy.
Make your list, bring your tote, and leave a little room for the books you did not plan to buy. See you at MIBF, and happy reading!
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