Join book lovers from around the globe
March 7 - 8, 2026
SPONSORED BY
Book Lovers' Paradise Magazine
ABOUT
The
FLORIDA ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR
will be presented March 7-8, 2026
in St. Petersburg's Historic Coliseum
535 4th Avenue North St. Petersburg FL 33701
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Around 75 independent bookstores from all over the country open pop-up shops for the weekend, providing a book lover's paradise, full of rare and unusual finds:
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​SATURDAY
10 AM - 5 PM
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SUNDAY
10 AM - 4 PM
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TICKETS
Box Office (cash only):
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DAILY PASS (SAT or SUN) $10
COLLEGE STUDENT $5
CHILDREN (under 18) $1
WEEKEND PASS $15
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Eventbrite:
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DAILY PASS (SAT or SUN) $15
WEEKEND PASS $20
UNIVERSITY STUDENT $7
CHILDREN $1
Ticket proceeds benefit the St. Petersburg Public Library
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The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair is presented by the
Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association.
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Free parking
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SOCIAL MEDIA
Yes, we're using 21st century media to help spread the word about the delights of 16th century media. The irony is delicious.
This is the largest and longest running antiquarian book fair in the Southeastern United States, and one of the largest in the nation.
Bookstores.
Booksellers from all over the country will open independent, pop-up bookshops for the weekend, providing a booklover's paradise in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Visitors will find books of every description, from rare fine bindings to reading copies, on a stunning variety of topics, at The Coliseum, a beautiful, historic venue.
Paradise.
St. Petersburg is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, numerous museums, rich art & cultural experiences, and outstanding dining.
BOOKS • MAPS • PRINTS • EPHEMERA • PHOTOGRAPHS • MORE
Follow us.
We have the news about old stuff.
Old books, old maps, old prints, old ephemera, old autographs, and more.
We are proud to sponsor Rare Book Cafe, the world's first internet TV talk show devoted entirely to antiquarian books and related subjects. Now featuring, Coffee Break – short segments you can enjoy with your coffee. Rare Book Cafe headliners are Lee Linn of The Ridge Books in Calhoun, Georgia, and Richard Mori of Mori Books in Franklin, New Hampshire as cohosts.
Cafe regulars include David Hess, of The Book Man, in Orange, California, (Things Found in Old Books), Gigi Best, of the Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature and Cultural Museum in St. Augustine, Florida, Ed Markiewicz of Montgomery Rare Books in New Haven, Connecticut, MKay BB Watson of Tangled Shakespeare in Morgantown, West Virginia, and, Barbara Loe of Cardtique, in Osprey, Florida.
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Other contributors include Larry Rakow, of Wonderland Books in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Sophia Bogle of Save Your Books in Ashland, Oregon, and Michael Slicker of Lighthouse Books, ABAA, in Dade City, Florida.
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T. Allan Smith is creator and executive producer of Rare Book Cafe.
Watch Rare Book Cafe on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. Subscribe to get alerts about new shows.
#floridabookfair #rarebookcafe
LIKE us on Facebook. Search for Florida Antiquarian Book Fair.
You can watch the Rare Book Cafe and more on our YouTube Channel.
We've had a blog for years. Subscribe and keep up with all the book fair activities.
We'll be posting before, during, and after the book fair. We hope you will, too. #floridabookfair
The book fair isn’t just an event for collectors — it’s an experience that blends history, discovery, and the thrill of the unexpected.
Whether someone loves books, art, culture, or simply meaningful stories, there are many reasons to feel excited about attending!
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What makes it special:
• A chance to handle history
Visitors can hold books, manuscripts, maps, and ephemera that have survived centuries. These aren’t just objects; they’re physical links to people, ideas, and moments from the past.
• Unexpected discoveries
You never know what you’ll find! Rare editions, unusual bindings, out-of-print treasures, forgotten stories — every shop within the building has the possibility of a small (or big) revelation.
• Direct access to experts
Booksellers at the fair aren’t just vendors. They’re passionate specialists who love talking about the origins, context, and significance of the items they bring. Visitors get insights they can’t find online.
• Beauty you can’t experience on a screen
Antiquarian books often feature hand-pressed paper, engraved illustrations, marbled endpapers, and unique craftsmanship. Seeing these up close is part of the magic!
• A welcoming atmosphere
The fair is full of people eager to share their enthusiasm. You don’t need to be a collector to have a great time — just someone who enjoys stories.
• A living celebration of culture
The fair bring together centuries of human thought, creativity, and expression. It’s like walking into a museum where you can touch the exhibits, ask questions, and purchase a piece of history to bring home.
• Inspiration for everyone
Writers, artists, students, historians, and casual visitors often leave with new ideas, new interests, and a deeper appreciation for how books shape the world.
Use this map to locate The Coliseum (star), location of the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair and nearby points of interest. Use the tab in the upper left corner of the map to display the information you'd like to see.
