If you live in Amherst and haven’t heard about LitFest yet, here’s the thing: in four days, your town is hosting one of the most impressive literary gatherings in New England. And unlike a lot of cultural events that happen on college campuses, this one is genuinely open to everyone, not just students and faculty.
Amherst College’s 11th annual LitFest runs from Thursday, February 26, through Sunday, March 1, and it’s bringing some seriously big names to town. We’re talking about a former U.S. Transportation Secretary (whose event is already sold out), National Book Award-honored poets, and novelists whose work has shaped contemporary literature. The kind of writers that people in other towns have to travel hours to see.
Who’s Actually Coming
The headliners are worth paying attention to. Pete Buttigieg will be in conversation with Cullen Murphy ’74 (as indicated above, tickets for this one are already sold out, but it speaks to the draw). Jamaica Kincaid H’96, the acclaimed novelist, will be there. Poets Lena Khalaf Tuffaha and Evie Shockley are coming, along with National Book Foundation representatives. And there’s a full roster of other writers, including Amherst College alum Dan Chiasson ’93, whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The New York Times.
This isn’t a small-town book club vibe. This is the kind of literary firepower that usually requires a trip to Boston or New York.
The Schedule (And How to Actually Get In)
Events run across multiple locations on the Amherst College campus throughout the weekend. One of the standout sessions is Saturday, February 28, at 11 a.m. in Frost Library’s Friendly Reading Room, where Dan Chiasson will be on a panel called “The Self in the World: Forging a Politics of Belonging,” alongside Aatish Taseer ’03 and Helen Whybrow ’90.
The closing event is Sunday, March 1, at 12:00 p.m.: “LitFest and NBF Presents: Poetry Propels Us,” featuring Lena Khalaf Tuffaha. This one is being recorded, so if you can’t make it in person, you’ll have options.
For the full schedule and to register for specific events, head to amherst.edu/about/literary-amherst/litfest. Some events are free, some require registration, and yes, some are already sold out (looking at you, Buttigieg conversation). But there’s plenty to choose from.
Literary Culture
Here’s what people who’ve lived in Amherst for a while know: the town’s literary identity isn’t just historical. Emily Dickinson lived here, sure, and that’s part of the story. But LitFest is proof that Amherst is still a place where serious writers, serious readers, and serious conversations about literature happen. It’s a reminder that this town punches way above its weight culturally.
And if you’re new to Amherst, this is a perfect way to understand what makes the place tick. The literary culture here isn’t something that happened 150 years ago and got preserved in amber. It’s alive. It’s happening this weekend.
The Practical Stuff
Most events are on the Amherst College campus, which is right in the center of town. Parking can be tight during the festival, so plan accordingly or consider biking if the weather cooperates. The campus is walkable from downtown Amherst, and if you’re coming from surrounding towns, PVTA buses run regularly.
Dress warmly. It’s late February in Western Massachusetts, and even though we’re heading toward spring, it’s still cold. But that’s part of the Amherst experience, right?
The Bottom Line
If you’ve ever thought about going to a literary event but talked yourself out of it, this is the one. You don’t need to be an English major. You don’t need to have read every book by every author. You just need to be curious about ideas, stories, and the people who spend their lives thinking about language and meaning. And honestly, even if you’re just looking for something interesting to do this weekend, LitFest delivers.
Put it on your calendar. Register for the events that interest you. Show up. This is the kind of thing that makes living in Amherst genuinely special.
