BookFest @ Malaysia is back in 2026, marking a milestone as it celebrates its 20th Anniversary of championing books, knowledge and a thriving reading culture. Taking place from 18 to 26 March at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), this year’s edition promises a meaningful celebration that reflects BookFest @ Malaysia’s enduring impact on generations of readers.
Anchored by the theme “Read 20, Rise Beyond”, BookFest @ Malaysia 2026 celebrates the transformative power of reading and the remarkable journey the festival has taken over the past 20 years. Since its inception, BookFest @ Malaysia has grown into one of Malaysia’s most anticipated literary events, bringing together readers, authors, publishers and communities through a shared passion for books and storytelling. As the festival celebrates this milestone, visitors are invited to reflect on how reading shapes perspectives, inspires growth and connects people across generations—while looking forward to greater stories and possibilities beyond the ordinary.
Spanning an impressive 100,000 sq ft, BookFest @ Malaysia 2026 invites visitors to explore Halls 1–5 of KLCC, where every corner brims with exciting discovery and boundless inspiration. Distinguished by its recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records in 2016 as the nation’s largest trilingual book exposition, the event continues to stand as a prestigious hallmark for readers and knowledge seekers alike. This year’s event promises an immersive and thoughtfully curated experience. Halls 1 and 2 will feature a diverse range of Chinese books, assessments, and CDs, DVDs, IP products and collectibles, while Halls 4 and 5 will showcase an extensive collection of English and Malay books, complemented by an exciting array of stationery, and gadgets & IT products, along with a variety of titbits for visitors to enjoy.
BookFest @ Malaysia is more than just a book fair. It’s an experience! Visitors can expect a range of entertaining and engaging activities throughout the 9-day period, including Local and Overseas Author-Sharing Sessions, Live Orchestra, Children’s Choir Competition, Chinese Storytelling Competition, Children’s Colouring Competition, Anime & Comic Cosplay Competition, Cooking Demos by well-known chefs, Art & Crafts workshops, and more!
BookFest 20th Anniversary – Live Orchestra: A Symphony of Eras
To mark its milestone, BookFest @ Malaysia 2026 presents a special Live Orchestra Concert on 23 March at 3.00pm at the KLCC Convention Centre, Conference Halls 1–3 (Level 3). The orchestra will feature 26 musical instruments played under the direction of a conductor, and performed by members of the Persatuan Bunyi-Bunyian Shin Yun, a distinguished ensemble celebrated for their seamless fusion of traditional Chinese music with contemporary orchestral arrangements. Audiences will enjoy a curated selection of iconic songs from the 1980s to 2000s, complemented by special guest appearances by Priscilla Abby and Fuying & Sam, promising an immersive musical experience for all generations. Tickets are priced at RM60 nett and available at selected POPULAR/HARRIS bookstores and POPULAR Online.
Amazing deals you can’t miss!
Experience feel-good deals throughout BookFest @ Malaysia 2026 as we deliver you special offers that are “beyond imagination”!
- Early Bird Craze
Kick off BookFest @ Malaysia with a FREE* ENTRY on 18 March and start your shopping spree with unbeatable savings! Enjoy 30%* off the original price when you buy two or more books in a single receipt, featuring a wide selection of English, Malay and Chinese titles. Be among the first 100 customers daily to grab selected stationery, gadgets and IT products at just RM1nett each, with a minimum spend of RM30nett in a single receipt. This special deal is valid on 18 and 19 March at 10.00am and 2.00pm, limited to the first 50 customers per session and strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. POPULAR Card members can enjoy even more perks with the first 100 members who spend RM250nett and above in a single receipt will get* an exclusive Foldable Trolley Cart worth RM109.90. - 20 Years of Celebration WOW! MUST-Grab items
Check out their list of specially selected MUST-Grab items in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary celebration! From books to snacks, and everything in between, can get them all at attractive prices as low as RM8.90! - Daily Specials
Come in for unbeatable daily deals with limited-time offers available only on selected dates, featuring over 400 specially selected items ranging from books, stationery, Gadgets & IT, IP products, fancy collectibles, CDs/DVDs and tidbits. With exciting bargains every day, it’s the perfect time to discover something new and enjoy great value throughout BookFest @ Malaysia 2026. - Selected books 20%* off
Enjoy 20%* off on your favourite books from a wide selection of English, Malay, and Chinese books across various genres! This is your chance to grab the titles you’ve been eyeing at special prices, so don’t miss out!
BookFest rewards YOU!
Get ready to make your shopping even more rewarding:
- Spend RM100nett and above: Saving voucher(s) worth over RM50.*
- Spend RM150nett and above: Vouchers worth over RM80, including an RM10 POPULAR Promotion Voucher.*
- Spend RM300nett and above: Vouchers worth over RM150, including a RM20 POPULAR Promotion Voucher.*
- PWP Deals
Get more for less! Spend RM60nett and above at BookFest @ Malaysia 2026 and buy* one of the selected stationery or GIT items at a special price:- SANDISK Ultra Dual Drive GO USB Type-C: RM6X.XXnett (UP: RM89.00)
- JISULIFE Life 7 Handheld Fan: RM55.00nett (UP: RM79.00)
- UZSPACE Double Wall Insulated Mug with Straw: RM39.90nett (UP: RM79.90)
- POP Bazic Double Wall Insulated Tumbler with Straw – With Handle/Carry Strap: RM39.90nett (UP: RM79.90).
- DIY Button Badge
10 local comic artists created exclusive artwork featuring their main characters, just for this milestone event. Participating artists include Keith, Kaoru, Eddie See, Black Jellyfish, Ernest Ng, Bichi Mao, and more. With a minimum spend of RM40nett on English or Malay comic books, you can pick your favourite design, and the staff will assist in customising a personalised button badge. This special offer is limited to the first 3,000 customers only, available while stocks last, so be sure to grab yours before they’re gone! - Public Bank Card Members
The first 1,000 Public Bank Visa Cardholders who present their PBB, SMS, or EDM at the Redemption Counter will get* an entry ticket plus a RM10 Book Voucher, valid on English, Malay, or Chinese books with a minimum spend of RM160nett. Plus, the first 1,700 cardholders who spend RM200nett or more (up to 2 combined receipts) can get* RM20 POPULAR Gift Vouchers, redeemable at the Public Bank Booth in Hall 2 — making it the perfect opportunity to shop, swipe, and enjoy extra savings. - POPULAR – BookFest 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Card
Celebrate in style with the BookFest 20 th Anniversary Limited Edition POPULAR Privilege Card 3-year, available exclusively at BookFest @ Malaysia! Sign up or renew your POPULAR Privilege Card 3-year to receive FREE* RM20 worth of promotion vouchers, plus additional privilege vouchers. Members can get the rewards according to their respective membership period:- POPULAR Card 1-year: FREE* ZEBRA SARASA Clip Gel Retractable Pen 0.7mm with privilege vouchers.
- POPULAR Card 2-years: FREE* privilege vouchers
As an added bonus, members who present the “Exclusive for POPULAR Members” leaflet together with their membership card at the Ticket Counter will receive two complimentary entry tickets and a RM10 Instant Rebate Voucher, redeemable at BookFest @ Malaysia with a minimum spend of RM199nett.
“Read 20, Rise Beyond” Event & Activities
Immerse yourself in a world of fun and excitement with specially curated events at BookFest @ Malaysia this year!
- Celebrating Literary Excellence
The 16th POPULAR–The Star Readers’ Choice Awards (RCA) for English reads and POPULAR BH Anugerah Pilihan Pembaca (APP) for Malay reads continue to celebrate the finest in local literature. Following an enthusiastic voting period, the results are now in. Readers are invited to join the Awards Ceremony on 18 March at 12.00 pm, at the Main Stage, Hall 1, KLCC, to witness the announcement of the winners. The top three authors in each category will be recognised with certificates of achievement, trophies, and cash prizes. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Malaysia’s talented authors and see which books have captured the hearts of fellow readers. - Meet and greet local and overseas authors
Experience the unique perspectives and compelling stories of acclaimed writers at BookFest @ Malaysia 2026! Meet prominent local authors such as:- Toh Han Niann
- Dr. Tan Ran Zhi
- Charles Kuay
- Feng Yi Liang
- Chef Ivan
- Loong Neck
- Black Jellyfish
Alongside them are renowned authors from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, including:
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- Liu Zhenyun
- Blue GodZi
- Peter Su
- Huang Shan Liao
Additionally, don’t miss our thematic talks by renowned Malaysian Chinese writers, offering unique perspectives on literature, culture, and storytelling. Join them at the Main Stage @ Hall 1 or the Hospitality Lounge 1 for engaging meet-and-greet sessions conducted in Chinese, celebrating the creativity and voices of Malaysia’s Chinese literary community.
- Children’s Choir Competition
The exciting choir competition is back this 19 March from 10.00am to 11.45am! This spectacular event showcases the incredible talent of young performers as they compete for prizes worth over RM6,500*! Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of music and talent! - 2nd Selangor SJK(C) Chinese Storytelling Competition
Attention all Primary 4–5 pupils from Selangor! After excelling in the preliminary round, you are now one step closer to victory in the Chinese Storytelling Competition! Supported by the Selangor State SJK (C) Principals Association and our media partner, Sin Chew Daily, this competition offers an exciting platform for pupils to showcase their storytelling talents. So, get ready to showcase your storytelling skills in the Semi-Final and Final on 20 March for a chance to win prizes worth a total of RM32,400*! The Semi-Final will take place from 10.00am to 4.00pm at the Hospitality Lounge 1, 4 and 5, followed by the Final from 6.00pm to 8.30pm at the Main Stage @ Hall 1. Get ready to captivate the audience with your storytelling skills on the big stage! - Anime & Comic Cosplay Competition
Cosplayers can join the Anime & Comic Cosplay Competition on 24 March from 2.00pm to 3.45pm at Main Stage @ Hall 1. Winners will take home exciting prizes worth over RM4,000*, and every participant will receive a FREE exclusive gift*! The event will also welcome cosplayer influencers like Weon Haur and Fujiwara Kazuko as the guest judges for this competition. - “Read 20, Rise Beyond” Children’s Colouring Competition
Get ready for the Children’s Colouring Competition happening on 26 March at Main Stage @ Hall 1! Category A for ages 5 – 8 will be held from 10.00am to 11.00am, while Category B for ages 9 – 12 will take place from 11.30am to 12.30pm. Winners will be taking home amazing prizes worth over RM10,400* sponsored by Faber-Castell. Plus, the first 100 participants from each category will receive an exclusive FREE gift*! - Bon Appétit Day @ Cook–Out Day
Beyond a celebration of books, BookFest @ Malaysia also celebrates food. On 25 March, food enthusiasts can look forward to a delightful series of live cooking demonstrations at the Main Stage, Hall 1, from 12.00pm to 3.00pm. Hourly sessions will feature an engaging and flavourful experience for visitors with these renowned chefs:- Chef Ivan
- Chef TK Dong
- Chef Amy Wong
- Chef Andrew Kow
- Chef Mischelle Teoh,
- Chef Squall Chin
- Art & Craft Workshop
Kids can join interactive workshops by JoyCat and Loka Made at Hospitality Lounge 1. These engaging sessions include the DIY Fridge Magnet Workshop at 3.00pm and Foil Sticker Workshop at 4.00pm on 22 March, as well as #StampWithLoka: The 100-Stamp Challenge at 12.00pm on 23 March. To participate, simply purchase selected products and register online to secure your seats. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is encouraged. - Hope for Reading Charity Campaign
To ensure that quality reading materials are accessible to everyone, POPULAR has partnered with Sin Chew Daily to organise the “Hope for Reading” Charity Campaign since 2012. The campaign aims to improveeducational opportunities for underprivileged individuals by providing them with access to essential tools and resources. Hence, visitors are encouraged to purchase the BookFest @ Malaysia 20th Anniversary limited edition bookmarks and BookFest Tote Bag. The bookmarks are available in a set of five at RM10nett, while the tote bag is priced at RM16nett. All proceeds from these purchases will be channelled towards providing quality reading materials to those in need.
- “Bring Your Own Bag”
Go green and embrace sustainability by using your own reusable bag for your purchases at BookFest @ Malaysia 2026! Customers can also purchase the “Read in Style” small non-woven bag at RM2.50nett or “Read More Books” large non-woven bag at RM4.50nett — a practical and eco-conscious choice.
BookFest @ Malaysia Guidebook
Discover your passion and indulge in it! Don’t miss the opportunity to visit POPULAR bookstores in Klang Valley and purchase the BookFest @ Malaysia guidebook. It will assist you in planning your ultimate shopping adventure! Available at a price of RM2.50, the guidebook also serves as an entry ticket. Alternatively, you can opt for the RM10 season pass for unlimited access throughout the entire 9-day duration. BookFest @ Malaysia 2026 will be open daily from 10.00am to 10.00pm, so brace yourself for a spectacular experience at KLCC with a wide array of offerings tailored to suit everyone’s interests.
As BookFest @ Malaysia turns the page toward its 20 remarkable years, readers are invited to rise beyond the ordinary and rediscover the joy and power of reading, happening at KLCC from 18 – 26 March. For more information, visit their website.
Also read: Study: More Than One in Four of Malaysian Students Do Not Read for Leisure
