Clone of 2025 Printers Row Lit Fest Exhibitor Application
  • 2026 Printers Row Lit Fest

    2026 Printers Row Lit Fest

    EXHIBITOR APPLICATION

  • Festival Dates: Saturday & Sunday, September 12 & 13, 2026 10:00AM-6:00PM DAILY 

  • ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

    Near South Planning Board's annual Printers Row Lit Fest is a free, two-day literature festival held annually on Printers Row in downtown Chicago. Celebrating over 40 years, the festival welcomes tens of thousands of attendees and features nationally recognized authors, Pulitzer Prize winners, independent presses, literary organizations, and community partners as part of exhibitor booths and program sessions.

  • ELIGIBILITY & OPPORTUNITIES

    EXHIBITOR SPACES ARE SOLD OUT AS OF MAY 15th - YOU ARE WELCOME TO APPLY FOR A SPOT TO BE ADDED TO THE WAIT LIST SHOULD AN EXHIBITOR CANCEL. 

    EXHIBITOR ELIGIBILITY

    You may apply if you are one of the following ONLY:

    • Author (with books available for sale)
    • Bookseller or bookstore
    • Literacy or educational organization
    • Literary podcaster
    • Publisher (independent or traditional)
    • Seller of book related products (i.e. bookmarks, book totes)

    Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. Priority will be given to bona fide booksellers and applicants who clearly meet all eligibility criteria. Sponsors and some long-time exhibitors may be exempt from specific eligibility requirements. Near South Planning Board reserves the right to limit categories to avoid over-saturation and refuse participation by any company or organization at its sole discretion. 

     

    EXHIBITOR APPLICATION DEADLINE
    FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026 at 11:59pm CST
    Applications received after this date will be added to the wait list.

     

    NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE

    • Acceptance emails will be sent by June 1, 2026. 
    • Bona fide booksellers who apply on time will typically be notified within two weeks of submission. 
    • Non-book sellers (i.e. informational literacy organizations) may be placed on a standby list and notified of acceptance by May 15th.
    • Exhibitor manuals and space assignments will be sent by August 31, 2026. 

     

    EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES
    All exhibitor spaces include standard placement within the festival footprint.

    **all tables, chairs, tents and signage as listed below are provided by Printers Row Lit Fest - exhibitors are NOT allowed to bring their own tents**

     

    Exhibitor fees directly support the operational costs of producing this public-facing, free event organized by Near South Planning Board.

    • WAIT LIST (1) Sidewalk Table ($475 April 1-May 15): 4’ x 8’ space on the sidewalk with (1) 8’ x 30” table, (2) chairs and (1) exhibitor table sign provided. This is NOT a tented space.  SOLD OUT: You are welcome to apply to be on the wait list and you will notified if a space becomes available. 

     

    • WAIT LIST(2) Sidewalk Tables ($800): 4’ x 16’ space on the sidewalk with (2) 8’ x 30” tables, (4) chairs and (1) exhibitor table sign provided. This is NOT a tented space. SOLD OUT: You are welcome to apply to be on the wait list and you will notified if a space becomes available. 

     

    • WAIT LIST 1⁄4 Tent ($1,550): One side of a 20’ x 20’ tent (20’ x 4’ space). The remaining 3⁄4 of the tent will be occupied by other exhibitors. (2) 8’ x 30” tables, (4) chairs (unless otherwise noted) and (1) exhibitor banner provided. 

     

    • WAIT LIST 1⁄2 Tent ($2,350): Two sides of a 20’ x 20’ tent (2 - 20’ x 4’ spaces). The remaining 1/2 of the tent will be occupied by other exhibitors. (4) 8’ x 30” tables, (8) chairs (unless otherwise noted) and (2) exhibitor banners provided.

     

    • WAIT LIST 10’ x 20’ Tent ($2,775): 10’ x 20’ space (entire tent). (4) 8’ x 30” tables, (8) chairs (unless otherwise noted) and (4) exhibitor banners provided. The back side of the tent will NOT be accessible to attendees. 

     

    • WAIT LIST 20’ x 20’ Tent ($3,775): 20’ x 20’ space (entire tent). (2) 8’ tables on each side (total of 8), (16) chairs (unless otherwise noted) and (4) exhibitor banners (1 on each side of tent) provided. 

  • POLICIES

     

    CANCELATION POLICY

    As an applicant to exhibit at Printers Row Lit Fest, please note that the following cancellation policies apply. All applications are due by Friday, May 15, 2026.

    • If your application is not accepted, you will receive a full refund of fees. 
    • Cancellation within 7 days of applying: Refund minus $25 administrative fee. 
    • Cancellation by June 1, 2026: 90% refund of fees. 
    • Cancellation between June 2 - July 1: 50% refund of fees. 
    • Cancellation between July 2 - September 11: No refund will be issued.

    All deposits and payments made are non transferable to future years or events, and no exceptions will be made. Agreement to these terms is required to proceed with your submisison per "Terms & Conditions" below.

  • TERMS & CONDITIONS 

    Please review the 2026 Printers Row Lit Fest Terms & Conditions here. By signing that you agree to the terms and conditions as part of the exhibitor application process, you are agreeing with the cancellation policies noted within. 

     

    PLEASE NOTE, ONCE YOU TYPE YOUR NAME BELOW, THE BALANCE OF THE APPLICATION DETAILS WILL EXPAND AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION SUBMISSION.

  • EXHIBITOR CONTACT INFORMATION

    • OPEN ALL QUESTIONS 
    • TYPE OF BUSINESS:*
    • Format: (000) 000-0000.
    • New to Printers Row Lit Fest?*
    • Has your company used a different name in previous years at the fest?

    • LOAD-IN DETAILS

      Friday, September 11th: After *5:30 pm (limited availability).

      Saturday, September 12th: 6:00-9:30 am (estimated; final times confirmed week of event).

       

      *This time is approximate; we will solidify the time the week of the event (likely no earlier than 5 pm). Exhibitor access is subject to change based on overall festival setup progress; your final load-in window will be confirmed the week of the event. 

       

      While we will try and accommodate everyone’s request, our main goal is to make sure the process runs as smoothly and safely as possible. Please mark your top choice below and our team will be in touch in August to confirm your assigned time (returning exhibitors will be given priority for time slots).

    • Format: (000) 000-0000.

    • *All exhibitors are allowed to share their space with other exhibitors and split the participation fees. This can be split up amongst yourselves however you see fit. Please only submit ONE APPLICATION for everyone participating in your space.

      Please note, if your business/organization is hosting multiple exhibitors who will be selling product using their own Point of Sale Systems, they are required to have an IBT number, and pay a $25 City of Chicago Fee. If all exhibitors are selling under a single Point of Sale system, only one fee and IBT number is required for the application.

    • SPACE & LOGISTICS 

       

      SPACE ASSIGNMENTS

      Although Lit Fest management cannot guarantee your placement within the festival, the Lit Fest will make every effort to honor ehibitors' requests for specific assignments. 

      ***Please note that the map shown is from 2025. The exact placement of tables and tents is subject to change based on the qty and type of exhibitors that participate in 2026. We will try our best to accommodate your requested location as closely as possible. 

    • PREFERRED LOAD-IN DATE & TIME: Select your first preference.*

    • PAYMENT DETAILS

    • PAYMENT OPTION:*

    • Credit card payments are processed through PayPal. You may pay using an existing PayPal account, or any major credit card / debit card.

      PLEASE NOTE, if paying by credit card, the charge description on your credit card will appear as NEAR SOUTH or NEAR SOUTH PLANNING BOARD. 

      If paying by check, please mail your payment once you are approved to participate. 

       
    • CLOSE ALL QUESTIONS 
    • OPEN EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES 

    • EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES

      There are various opportunities for an exhibitor to participate at Printers Row Lit Fest (tables vs tents). Please see a list of options below and select what is most suitable. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NOW A WAIT LIST FOR EXHIBITOR TABLE OPPORTUNITIES - IF INTERESTED IN BEING ADDED To THE WAIT LIST, PLEASE make a selection below.
    • OPEN CHECK PAYMENT PACKAGE (This section is to be completed if you are paying by check) 
    • TABLE AND TENT PACKAGE: (CHECK PAYMENT)*

    • Make check payable to: Near South Planning Board, Mail to: 2600 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite LL-C, Chicago, IL 60616

    • CLOSED CHECK PAYMENT PACKAGE 
    • OPEN PAYPAL PRODUCTS (This section to be completed if paying by credit card) 

    • TABLE AND TENT PACKAGE:

      prevnext( X )
                      1⁄4 Tent ($1,550.00): One side of a 20’ x 20’ tent (20’ x 4’ space). The remaining 3⁄4 of the tent will be occupied by other exhibitors. (2) 8’ x 30” tables, (4) chairs (unless otherwise noted) and (1) exhibitor banner provided.
                      $1,550.00$1,550.00
                        
                      1⁄2 Tent ($2,350.00): Two sides of a 20’ x 20’ tent (2 - 20’ x 4’ spaces). The remaining 1/2 of the tent will be occupied by other exhibitors. (4) 8’ x 30” tables, (8) chairs (unless otherwise noted) and (2) exhibitor banners provided.
                      $2,350.00$2,350.00
                        
                      10’ x 20’ Tent ($2,775.00): 10’ x 20’ space (entire tent). (4) 8’ x 30” tables, (8) chairs (unless otherwise noted) and (4) exhibitor banners provided. The back side of the tent will NOT be accessible to attendees.
                      $2,775.00$2,775.00
                        
                      20’ x 20’ Tent ($3,775.00): 20’ x 20’ space (entire tent). (2) 8’ tables on each side (total of 8), (16) chairs (unless otherwise noted) and (4) exhibitor banners (1 on each side of tent) provided.
                      $3,775.00$3,775.00
                        
                      City of Chicago Merchant Fee

                      Every exhibitor is required to pay a $25 "City of Chicago Merchant fee". If your booth will host multiple sellers using separate point-of-sale systems, each person must pay the $25 City of Chicago Merchant Fee. 

                      $25.00$25.00
                        
                      (1) Linen Rental (8'x30" Black Table Linen)
                      $50.00$50.00
                        
                      110 V Electrical Outlet

                      Power is only available in certain areas throughout the PRLF footprint. If you require power, your Exhibitor space will be assigned accordingly. NOT available for sidewalk tables.  (Optional Equipment Rental)

                      $275.00$275.00
                        
                      Chairs

                      (1) Extra Chair (this fee is required for chairs you need above and beyond what's already allocated in your space)

                      $5.00$5.00
                        
                      Subtotal
                      $0.00$0.00
                      Tax
                      $0.00$0.00
                      Total
                      $0.00$0.00
                    • CLOSED PAYPAL PRODUCTS 

                    • Payment Methods

                      Choose from one of the PayPal options to make your payment.

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