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AN AFFILIATE OF THE INTERNATIONAL LITERACY ASSOCIATION (ILA)

Formerly, the Georgia Reading Association (GRA)

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Connect Across Georgia

26–27 Georgia Literacy Events

Festivals, conferences, and community literacy opportunities

Looking for opportunities to connect with readers, writers, educators, and literacy advocates across Georgia? Explore these upcoming literacy events around the state.

Upcoming 2026–27 Georgia literacy events, including dates, locations, and details
Date Event Location Details
Aug. 22, 2026 Writers in the Wild Literary Fest Dawsonville Book signings, readings, and a garden experience
Aug. 29, 2026 Northeast Georgia Author Festival UNG Gainesville Regional author festival
Sept. 12, 2026 Turner Center Literary Fair Valdosta Community literary fair and GALA outreach opportunity
Mid-Sept. 2026 One Book, One Read Atlanta Fulton County / Atlanta Featured author Jason Rekulak
Oct. 2–3, 2026 Decatur Book Festival Decatur Large regional book and ideas festival
Oct. 10, 2026 Acworth Book & Storytelling Festival Acworth Outdoor, family-friendly event
Oct. 17, 2026 Atlanta Book Festival Atlanta Book festival and community outreach opportunity
Nov. 14, 2026 Johns Creek Literary Fair Johns Creek Community literary fair
Feb. 4–7, 2027 Savannah Book Festival Savannah Major statewide literary event
Feb. 6, 2027 Middle Georgia Lit Fest North Houston Sports Complex
Warner Robins 		Middle Georgia literary festival and community outreach opportunity
Feb. 12–14, 2027 Journal of Language and Literacy Education (JoLLE) Conference Athens (UGA campus) Geared toward “literacy and language scholars to consider community as both a response to crisis and a generative force for transformation, hope, and love”
Mar. 19, 2027 Georgia Conference on Children’s Literature Athens (UGA campus) Georgia conference focused on children’s literature
Apr. 10–11, 2027 Conyers Book Festival Conyers Spring outreach opportunity
2027 date TBA Columbus Children’s Book Festival Columbus Watch for 2027 details; the 2026 festival was held May 9

Know of another literacy-related event in Georgia?

Help us keep this list growing! Email event information to membership@galiteracy.org to have an event considered for addition to this page.

School Year 2026

26–27 Literacy Calendar

September–December 2026 • Updated September 2026

Use this collection of literary holidays, national observances, and fun days to spark book displays, lessons, family events, read-ins, and other creative literacy experiences.

Plan a major book event: November 9–15

National Young Readers Week and Children’s Book Week overlap, making this an ideal time for a book fair, schoolwide read-in, author celebration, or family literacy event.

Send every child home with a book

Celebrate Jólabókaflóð, Iceland’s Yule Book Flood, on December 24 by giving students books to enjoy over the winter break.

September

Monthlong and extended observances
Deaf Awareness Month National Honey Month National Chicken Month Library Card Sign-Up Month National Literacy Month: Read a New Book Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15–Oct. 15
  • Sept. 1 World Letter Writing Day
  • Sept. 6 National Read a Book Day (Sunday)
  • Sept. 8 International Literacy Day; Star Trek Day
  • Sept. 9 Care Bears Share Your Care Day; Teddy Bear Day
  • Sept. 11 Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance; Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset
  • Sept. 12 Hug & High 5 Day; National Video Games Day
  • Sept. 13 Grandparents Day; Roald Dahl Story Day; Rosh Hashanah ends at nightfall
  • Sept. 13–19 Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
  • Sept. 15 International Dot Day (author Peter H. Reynolds); National Online Learning Day; Hispanic Heritage Month begins
  • Sept. 16 National Play-Doh Day; Mexican Independence Day
  • Sept. 17 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
  • Sept. 19 Talk Like a Pirate Day
  • Sept. 20–21 Yom Kippur — begins at sunset September 20 and ends at nightfall September 21
  • Sept. 22 Autumn Equinox (autumn begins in Georgia); Hobbit Day; Dear Diary Day; Elephant Appreciation Day; Ice Cream Cone Day; States and Capitals Day
  • Sept. 23 Checkers/Dogs in Politics Day; Education Technology Day
  • Sept. 24 National Punctuation Day
  • Sept. 25 Open the Magic Day — a great day for a family event; National Comic Book Day; Math Storytelling Day
  • Sept. 26 Johnny Appleseed Day — consider apple-themed books or the Lost Apple Project
  • Sept. 30 International Podcast Day

October

Monthlong and extended observances
TeenTober Dyslexia Awareness Month ADHD Awareness Month National Book Month National Reading Group Month National Cookbook Month National Medical Librarians Month Cybersecurity Awareness Month National Chili Month National Pizza Month National Dessert Month Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15
  • Oct. 2 Smarties Candy Day
  • Oct. 4–10 Banned Books Week
  • Oct. 6 Mad Hatter Day — the Hatter’s hat reads “10/6” in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; National Taco Day (pair with Dragons Love Tacos)
  • Oct. 6–12 Mystery Series Week
  • Oct. 7 Random Acts of Poetry Day
  • Oct. 8 World Dyslexia Awareness Day
  • Oct. 11 Myths and Legends Day
  • Oct. 11–20 Navratri — a Hindu festival that offers rich opportunities for family and community events
  • Oct. 12 Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Columbus Day; National Farmer’s Day
  • Oct. 13 Train Your Brain Day
  • Oct. 14 National Fossil Day (National Park Service)
  • Oct. 16 Dictionary Day (Noah Webster’s birthday); Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day
  • Oct. 17 Black Poetry Day
  • Oct. 18–24 National Friends of Libraries Week
  • Oct. 20 National Day on Writing
  • Oct. 21 Reptile Awareness Day
  • Oct. 29 National Internet Day
  • Oct. 30 Frankenstein Friday
  • Oct. 31 Books for Treats Day — consider giving books at Halloween or fall festivals

November

Monthlong and extended observances
National Family Literacy Month Picture Book Month National Novel Writing Month–style challenges Dinovember Gratitude Month Native American Heritage Month
  • Nov. 1 National Family Literacy Day; National Author’s Day
  • Nov. 1–2 Día de los Muertos
  • Nov. 3 Election Day
  • Nov. 6–10 Diwali festival period; the principal day of Diwali is November 8
  • Nov. 8 National STEM/STEAM Day
  • Nov. 9–13 National Young Readers Week — established in 1989 by the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program and the Library of Congress Center for the Book
  • Nov. 9–15 Children’s Book Week
  • Nov. 11 Veterans Day
  • Nov. 15 I Love to Write Day
  • Nov. 18 High-Five a Librarian Day; Mickey Mouse’s birthday; National Princess Day
  • Nov. 19 National Play Monopoly Day
  • Nov. 21 National Gingerbread Cookie Day — pair with the many versions of The Gingerbread Man
  • Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day

Planning idea: Dinovember can become a playful monthlong reading campaign with dinosaur book displays, “Feed the Dino” activities, and student recommendations.

December

Monthlong observances
Spiritual Literacy Month Read a New Book Month
  • Dec. 1 GivingTuesday
  • Dec. 4 Chanukah begins at sunset; National Dice Day; National Sock Day
  • Dec. 7 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
  • Dec. 8 Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
  • Dec. 9 Christmas Card Day
  • Dec. 10 Dewey Decimal System Day; Nobel Prize Day
  • Dec. 12 Chanukah ends at nightfall; National Gingerbread House Day — pair with the many versions of The Gingerbread Man
  • Dec. 15 Bill of Rights Day
  • Dec. 16 Jane Austen’s birthday
  • Dec. 17 Wright Brothers Day
  • Dec. 18 National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
  • Dec. 21 National Short Story Day; Winter Solstice
  • Dec. 24 Jólabókaflóð (Iceland’s Yule Book Flood) — give away books!
  • Dec. 25 Christmas Day

GALA • State Chapter of ILA

International Literacy Association Resources

Explore professional publications, research, podcasts, teaching resources, and other opportunities from the International Literacy Association.

The Georgia Association for Literacy Advancement (GALA) is a state chapter of the International Literacy Association (ILA). ILA resources connect literacy educators, researchers, librarians, leaders, and advocates with current research, professional learning, and practical ideas for advancing literacy.

ILA Podcast

Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy Podcast

Hear conversations about current theory, research, and practice supporting effective literacy instruction for adolescent and adult learners.

Episodes feature literacy professionals discussing practical concepts and ideas for enhancing literacy teaching. The podcast has also featured Matt Sroka, Clinical Assistant Professor of Literacy Education at Mercer University and a GALA member.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

ILA Professional Publications

Stay connected to literacy research, scholarship, classroom practice, and emerging ideas through ILA’s major publications.

ILA’s journals serve different audiences across the literacy field. Explore each publication to learn about its focus, research, articles, submission information, and access options.

Journal

Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy

A professional resource focused on literacy learning and instruction for adolescents and adults, with research and practical perspectives for educators and literacy professionals.

Explore JAAL
Journal

The Reading Teacher

A long-standing professional journal offering research-informed ideas, instructional practices, and resources for educators working with children and developing readers.

Explore The Reading Teacher
Journal

Reading Research Quarterly

ILA’s research-focused journal featuring scholarly work that advances understanding of reading, literacy, language, and related areas of inquiry.

Explore RRQ
Magazine

Literacy Today

ILA’s member magazine featuring timely literacy perspectives, professional news, ideas, interviews, and stories from the field.

Explore Literacy Today

ILA Online Resources

Visit ILA online for professional learning, literacy resources, research, news, advocacy information, and opportunities to connect with the broader literacy community.

Website

International Literacy Association

The central online home for ILA, including information about membership, professional learning, publications, literacy initiatives, events, and resources.

Visit ILA
Teaching & Learning

ILA Resources

Find literacy resources, teaching ideas, professional materials, research, and other tools designed to support literacy educators and advocates.

Browse Resources
Professional Learning

ILA Events & Conferences

Discover ILA conferences, webinars, professional learning opportunities, and other events connecting literacy professionals from around the world.

Explore Events
Advocacy

Children’s Rights to Read

Explore ILA’s advocacy initiative built on 10 fundamental rights every child deserves, including access to books and the freedom to choose what to read.

Explore Advocacy

Connect Through ILA

GALA members can explore ILA membership and the larger professional literacy community through ILA’s international network.

Membership

Join ILA

Learn about ILA membership benefits, professional resources, publications, networking opportunities, and ways to participate in the international literacy community.

Learn About Membership
GALA Connection

Georgia Literacy Community

GALA provides a Georgia-based connection to literacy professionals, educators, researchers, librarians, and advocates while serving as an ILA state chapter.

Explore GALA

Explore ILA

For the most current information about ILA publications, membership, professional learning, events, and literacy initiatives, visit literacyworldwide.org .

GALA is proud to connect Georgia’s literacy community with the resources and professional network of the International Literacy Association.

Check out the newly released LITERACY INSIGHTS! 

Literacy Insights are free, one-page printables organized by topic. Each includes articles (from Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy), resources, as well as discussion questions around relevant literacy topics. Included articles are free to read for a limited time, but Literacy Insights will always be available to all—no subscription required! Take a look at the first three Literacy Insights below: 

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