Edinburgh Book Fair 2025

The Edinburgh Book Fair is set to return this March, offering a unique opportunity for book lovers, collectors, and enthusiasts to explore selections from over 40 dealers. From beloved childhood classics and firsts editions to a treasure trove of pamphlets, prints, and postcards, the items on sale cater to a range of interests and budgets, whether you’re a seasoned bibliophile or a curious browser. Material relating to Edinburgh and Scotland will be well represented, alongside an impressive array of other unexpected items waiting to be found.

The Edinburgh Book Fair will be opened this year by renowned Scottish crime writer Sir Ian Rankin.

The fair is the centrepiece of Rare Books Edinburgh, a festival celebrating rare and collectable books and book history, which includes a program of talks and exhibitions around the city running from 20th to 29th March.

Relocated this year to the sumptuous setting of the the King's Hall at the historic InterContinental Edinburgh the George hotel, the fair is convenient for train, tram, bus, and car, and is in an area of the city known for its luxury shopping, as well as for bookselling.

Co-organised by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) and the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA), the Edinburgh Book Fair represents a broad sweep of book dealers from the UK and beyond. Founded in 1906, the ABA is the trade body for book dealers in the UK, and has been putting on book fairs since the early twentieth century. The PBFA facilitates over 60 annual rare and secondhand book fairs in the UK, its first fair taking place in York in 1972. Thriving on communication and conviviality, fairs are a wonderful social opportunity, enjoyed by customers and dealers alike.

The book trade is seeing an unprecedented interest from new and younger collectors currently. For aspiring collectors, the Edinburgh Book Fair is the perfect place to meet members of the trade, take advantage of dealers’ expertise, and browse dozens of bookshops under one roof. Both new and established bibliophiles are encouraged to meet and chat with dealers at the fair.

Fair organiser Derek Walker says:

“The Edinburgh Book Fair is the oldest running collaborative event between the UK’s rare and collectable book associations, befitting its setting in the first UNESCO City of Literature. The move to a stunning new location in Edinburgh’s historic New Town will gather all the exhibitors in one ground-floor room for the first time, making browsing easier in addition to improving accessibility. The space will accommodate new exhibitors as well as stalwarts of the previous fairs and we look forward to welcoming regular visitors and those discovering the book fair for the first time.”

PBFA Chairman John Morten says;

“There is nothing like actually handling this array of wonderful items on show and being able to chat with knowledgeable dealers who share a passion for books, and the full range of subjects they cover. Walking into a book fair is the start of a wonderful journey into the unknown.”

Event Details
Friday 28th March, 12pm to 7pm
Saturday 29th March, 10am - 4pm
Intercontinental The George Hotel, George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PB