Houston Text Fest 2026

Houston Text Fest makes its debut on Saturday, October 17, at the Harris County Department of Education Building, 6300 Irvington Blvd. It's the first edition of a new literary festival, and the day is built around panels and exhibitions focused on the Latino voice. The whole thing runs from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, so you can drop in for a single session or hang out for the full stretch.

Author Tony Diaz founded Nuestra Palabra, the organization behind the festival, and he describes Houston Text Fest as a contemporary take on the traditional book festival. Rather than just a collection of readings, the programming looks at the city's writing scene from a few different angles: sessions on Houston's current literary landscape, creative careers for writers, and the specific initiatives Nuestra Palabra has been working on. The goal is to amplify Latino voices while building connections across Houston's many communities through literature and storytelling.

This inaugural edition is presented in partnership with Rice University's Department of English, which adds another layer to the mix of voices in the room. Between the panels and the exhibitions, there's plenty to move through over the course of the day, whether you're a writer yourself or just interested in the city's literary life. It's free to attend, and it runs from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Harris County Department of Education Building, 6300 Irvington Blvd.