Bologna Children's Book Fair 2025
The next Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) will take place between the 31st of March and the 3rd of April 2025. The most important event in the calendar of the children’s book publishing world will return to Bologna Fiera, together with BolognaBookPlus (BBPlus) for general trade publishing and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/K), dedicated to content for children and young adults. Over 1,500 companies and more than 31,000 professional visitors will attend BCBF 2025, after a successful previous edition that once again confirmed the pivotal role of the trade fair within the global publishing industry.
Focused on networking and support for publishers, literary agents, authors, illustrators, and translators, Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2025 will encompass a wide variety of initiatives, activities and exhibitions. The Rights Centre will connect publishers and agents, while the recently launched TV/Film Rights Centre will foster book-to-screen project collaborations. The Illustrators Exhibition will highlight emerging trends in the field and will provide the shortlisted artists with unmatched visibility. The Translators Café @BCBF2025 will feature workshops and panel discussions exploring best practices and challenges such as AI and the related ethical issues. The Guest of Honour Country in 2025 will be Estonia.
Given the popularity of the event in both Italy and abroad, attendees are advised to arrange their stay in Bologna for the BCBF 2025 dates early on. We at ExpoBeds provide accommodation options in top locations - the city centre, the Bologna Fiera area and quiet districts with good transport links to the venue. Select a hotel for Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2025 via our online booking tool or request a personalised BCBF 2025 hotel offer to benefit from special room rates and efficient service.
Information
The children’s publishing industry is in bloom. As the largest exhibition of its kind, the globally renowned BCBF in Italy reflects the progress made so far, as well as the challenges and possibilities of tomorrow. Bologna Children’s Book Fair recently celebrated 61 years of international success.
The 61st edition of BCBF brought 1,523 exhibitors and 31,735 trade visitors to Bologna Fiera. With 380+ events at BCBF and 220+ related events in Bologna, participants had a variety of options to connect and exchange ideas. Products and services from approximately 100 countries were presented during the prestigious book fair, including more than 1000 original illustrations.
Who can you meet there
Bologna Children’s Book Fair encourages international dialogue and collaboration, and provides an excellent atmosphere for meetings. Publishers and illustrators from around the world put the fair on their agenda every year and attend, among other events, BCBF’s Illustrators’ Exhibition, the popularIllustration for Children. The Best of Italy and most recently, The Children-Spectators competition.
The book fair attracts authors and literary agents, critics, editorial directors and consultants, licensors, distributors, app developers and audiobook professionals. Independent booksellers, packagers, printers, teachers and librarians also find networking opportunities at Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Past editions
| Total | Domestic | Foreign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibitors | 1,523 | ||
| Visitors | 31,735 |
| Total | Domestic | Foreign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibitors | 1,456 | ||
| Visitors | 28,894 |
| Total | Domestic | Foreign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibitors | |||
| Visitors |
| Total | Domestic | Foreign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibitors | 1,070 | ||
| Visitors | 21,432 |
| Total | Domestic | Foreign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibitors | |||
| Visitors |
| Total | Domestic | Foreign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibitors | 1,442 | ||
| Visitors | 28,946 |
Quick info
| Organiser: | BolognaFiere S.p.a |
| Also called: | BCBF 2025 |
| Founded: | 1964 |
| Frequency: | every year |
| Next Edition: | Bologna Children's Book Fair 2026 |
| Sectors: | Books | Prints | Libraries |
| Website: | Bologna Children's Book Fair official website |
| Visitors: | Tickets for Bologna Children's Book Fair |
| Exhibitors: | Exhibitor registration |
Important facts
- 1,523 BCBF exhibitors in 2024
- close to 100 represented countries
- 31,735 visitors
- 385 live events
- close to 40% international visitors
- media coverage in over 40 countries
- collaboration between Bologna Children’s Book Fair and events in New York and Shanghai
Next editions
Bologna Children's Book Fair 2026
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