The Beacon LitFest is back, ready to turn the charming riverside city into a literary haven from June 12-15, 2025. A four-day celebration of the written word taking place at venues throughout Beacon, the festival will once again bring together an eclectic mix of poets, novelists, playwrights, and nonfiction powerhouses for a lively program of readings, performances, and conversations that promise to be as thought-provoking as they are entertaining. The festivities kick off on Thursday, June 12, with the ever-popular opening party at Denning’s Point Distillery. Friday night, June 13, takes a darker turn with Women In Noir at the Howland Cultural Center. Crime fiction devotees will be treated to readings and discussion with bestselling authors Margot Douaihy, Jode Millman, and Julia Dahl. Saturday, June 14, is the festival’s main event, stretching across multiple venues on Beacon’s historic Main Street. The morning kicks off with poetry at Beahive, where acclaimed poets Ruth Danon, John Yau, and Gregory Pardlo will share their work in conversation with Andrea Talarico of Stanza Books. The evening’s grand finale unfolds at the VFW Memorial Hall with a star-studded lineup of fiction and nonfiction luminaries. Literary heavyweights Francine Prose, Kris Jansma, Matt Schultz, Stacey D'Erasmo, and Dinaw Mengestu will take the stage for an insightful discussion moderated by Caroline Eisner and none other than Chronogram’s own editor, Brian K. Mahoney. A book-signing reception and cocktail party will follow.
