September 22, 2026
📚 Bookmarks Festival 101
More than 20,000 readers will descend on downtown Winston-Salem for the largest book festival in the Carolinas this weekend. Here's how to make the most of it!
Photos courtesy of Bookmarks
Friday & Sunday Keynotes: John Green kicks off the weekend on Friday (sold out), and Jodi Picoult closes it out on Sunday in a conversation with Virginia Evans.
Saturday's Free Festival: Downtown turns into one giant (free!) bookstore across the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, Calvary Moravian Church, and the blocks around Bookmarks.
Panels | Catch free panels on everything from paranormal romance to gripping thrillers. Pick 2 or 3 must-sees and leave 15–20 minutes between sessions to walk to the next venue.
Signings | Get books signed by 45+ authors, including Sarah Addison Allen and local writer Abrea Armstrong. Arrive early for popular authors, and note that some lines require buying the featured book from Bookmarks.
Kids Area | Storytime, trivia, book character visits, and a DJ. Grab a Kids' Passport early so little ones can complete activities and trade it in for a free book, then hop aboard the PBS North Carolina festival train!
Shopping & Food | Check out 100+ vendors, including local makers, and refuel at the food truck court.
🎄 Holiday party season is just 10 weeks away! If you’re planning this year’s celebration, Pilot View Center’s skyline views will WOW your guests while the convenient amenities make hosting easy:
Full catering kitchen + bar area
Holiday decor
Stunning floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows
Space for up to 226 standing or 100 seated
Free, convenient parking
Holiday dates are filling fast! Explore the space and start planning a celebration your guests won’t forget.*
🗓 Events
Thursday, September 24
String Performance - Who says classical has to be predictable? Listen to the Isidore String Quartet and cellist Sterling Elliott kick off Wake Forest's Secrest Artists Series! 7:30 PM*
Music at the Farm - Unwind with an evening of live music, local art, yard games, and food at Mossy Hill Farm. 5:30-8:30 PM
Collage Night - Create a collage alongside fellow crafters at Culture WS! Come early for their Fall Open Call Art Show opening reception. 6-9 PM
Friday, September 25
Book Sale - Speaking of books… Find your next favorite read at Lewisville Library! Runs through Saturday.
Park Hangs - Chuckle at Kit McKay’s hilarious lyrics and grab a bite from the food truck court at Bailey Park. 5-8 PM
Dolly Day - Enjoy Dolly-themed treats, drinks, and photo ops at Cupcake Cuties Cafe. A portion of proceeds benefit the Imagination Library. 9 AM - 9 PM
Comedy Festival - Get ready for a lineup of up-and-coming comedians at Marketplace Cinemas! 8 PM
Saturday, September 26
Apple Festival - Celebrate the start of fall with 18th-century craftsmen demos, games, arts & crafts, and plenty of apples at Historic Bethabara Park. 10 AM - 4 PM
Piedmont Pops - Tap your feet to ragtime and early Americana as the Piedmont Wind Symphony performs at Incendiary Brewing Lewisville. 2 PM
Speed Friending - Meet new people through quick, low-pressure conversations hosted by Mac & Cheese Productions. 6 PM
Temp Tattoo DIY - Create natural temporary tattoos in this hands-on workshop led by Buena Henna at The Open Studio. 4 PM
You choose where you shop, where your food comes from, and who you support with your dollars. Your bank deserves the same thought.
No shareholders to answer to — just the people who bank there
Money stays close to home, supporting local families and businesses
Their success is connected to yours
Bank local, without giving up everything a bank should do — checking, savings, lending, digital banking, and more. Make the switch!*
🗞 Other News
🥤 Opening: A new spot for Kernersville. Matcha Oasis Bar opens at 113 W. Mountain Street tomorrow, serving matcha, boba tea, and refreshers! Bonus: The interior features artwork by local muralist Christina Parrish.
👗 Fashion: Runway season is here! Catch the 12th annual Winston-Salem Fashion Week, with shows at MUSE WS on Friday and Union Station on Saturday.
💙 Support: Lace up for new parents. Walk, jog, or run the Miles for Maternal Mental Health 5K & Fun Run at Jamison Park this Saturday. Every mile supports the Postpartum Resource Center of the Triad's mental health resources for new and expecting parents.
🍻 Oktoberfest: The party's not over. Three local breweries are celebrating Oktoberfest this weekend — think limited-edition steins and stein-holding contests. Check out the full list of events!
🏙 Civic: Ask city staff questions, learn about services, and weigh in on priorities at Thursday's City Services Expo at Forsyth Tech!
🍂 Cozy Sips
The best thing about fall? The coffee menus. We rounded up some of our favorite seasonal drinks from around town!
Footnote’s 2024 fall coffee flight
Footnote Coffee | Our Pick: The Fall Latte Flight, featuring toasted mallow & coconut, caramel apple, and cinnamon vanilla.
Lot 63 | Our Pick: The Scarecrow, a candy corn-inspired latte with caramel and marshmallow notes, topped with cinnamon whipped cream.
ByGood | Our Pick: Autumn Leaves, a pumpkin spice latte with cayenne, caramel, and chocolate.
The Coffee Mill | Our Pick: Cinnamon French Toast, made with vanilla, brown sugar, and maple spice.
☀️ What's the first thing you do in the morning?
👀 Poll results: Does parking deter you from going downtown?
Yes - 73%
No - 27%
Megan F. answered ‘yes’ and shared, “The new way to pay for parking through your phone is ridiculous. People are tired of having to have a new app for everything. Bring back parking meters!”
🌀 The Wrap
📖 Team member Jacob is excited for Erin Ampersand and Isabel J. Kim’s panel about speculative fiction at the Bookmarks Festival!
🥞 Guide of the Week: Breakfast & Brunch Spots — this Saturday is National Pancake Day!
