Probably not a stadium, not the kind where sweaty jerseys, screeching trainers and national anthems usually fill the air. But that’s exactly where Read Fest lands this year – from July 3-7, 10am-8pm at Nimibutr Stadium, National Stadium right next to the National Stadium BTS. It’s a book fair, yes, but not as you’ve known it. No hushed halls or fluorescent strip lights. Instead: bleachers, wide open floors and the sound of live music bouncing off rafters once reserved for volleyballs and victory chants. Entry is free, but it’s your brain that’s really getting a ticket to run wild.
It’s hosted by TK Park with the Department of Physical Education – a pairing that, on paper, reads more like an administrative accident than a collaboration, but it works. Here, minds are stretched as much as muscles. No stiff rows of long tables or hushed aisles. Instead, an open, welcoming sprawl that swaps silence for sound, and stillness for movement.
Forget the air-conditioned monotony of a typical convention centre. This is bookishness with a pulse. Under the theme ‘exercise ideas’ (or ‘brain workout,’ depending who you ask), Read Fest suggests that intellectual curiosity might, in fact, be a full-body sport. And like any workout, there are stations: some gentle, some chaotic, all surprisingly fun. Now, let’s see what to expect at the festival.
- Book market – curated books from leading publishers
The usual suspects are here, but they’re laid out with enough breathing space to actually browse without elbowing someone. From tiny press poetry to glossy hardbacks, there’s plenty to pick through – whether you’re on the hunt for a weekend thriller or a birthday gift with moral weight. - Art and craft – hands-on creative workshops
Less ‘children’s corner’, more adult daydream. Expect tables covered in fabric scraps, collage bits and pots of something sticky. No one’s judging your scissor skills. - Booktalk and workshop – meet-the-author sessions and fun activities
Authors take to the mic in the kind of setting that makes readings feel less academic and more like a catch-up with a friend who just happens to write novels. No panel pomp, just people who love language sharing it aloud. - Kid zone – a playground full of imagination
A mini wonderland for the small and the restless. Think story times, bright props, and a sense that anything might start talking – whether it’s a puppet or a pencil case. - Music and exhibition – art showcases and live music
Books don’t get all the attention. Artists and musicians are scattered throughout the space, turning the stadium into something that hums gently while you read or rest. - Book club – a space to connect and exchange inspiration with fellow readers
It’s not a formal circle. It’s a soft, seated invitation to talk about the thing you just read with someone who nods back like they ‘get it.’ Maybe they do.
And then, there’s the book swap. That quiet, wholesome corner where readers are invited to bring a beloved (or abandoned) title and exchange it for something new. The only condition? Leave behind a note – something small and honest. A reason, a feeling, a warning. It’s less like trading books, more like handing someone a memory.
Just be careful not to accidentally part with the one you promised yourself you’d finally read this summer, we've all done it.