LéaLA returns to Los Angeles with the gift of knowledge. The city’s literary and cultural heartbeat is alive this weekend as the LéaLA Spanish-Language Book Fair and Literary Festival opens its tenth edition at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in the heart of Olvera Street. Running September 25–28, the festival brings together authors, educators, artists, filmmakers, and families to celebrate the power of books, ideas, and storytelling during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Organized by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, LéaLA has become the most ambitious platform in the U.S. dedicated to Spanish-language books and thought. This year’s theme, “Let’s Build Peace Together,” underscores the festival’s commitment to promoting dialogue, cultural pride, and community connection through literature and the arts.
Created for all ages
Over four days, visitors can enjoy a completely free program featuring:
- Author readings and conversations with acclaimed writers from Mexico, the U.S., and across Ibero-America, including José Ignacio Valenzuela (“El Chascas”), Xavier Velasco, María Baranda, Toño Malpica, Benito Taibo, and Jorge F. Hernández.
- Film screenings, such as La Falla by filmmaker Alana Simões, exploring the emotional lives of children in rural Jalisco.
- The beloved Poetry Hub, where voices from both sides of the border share their work in an interactive setting led by Gaspar Orozco and Ilana Luna.
- Children’s workshops, expanded this year to ten sessions in partnership with the University of Guadalajara’s Letras para Volar initiative, offering storytelling, music, and creative activities to inspire a love of reading among young audiences.
- Educational panels within the Forum of Ideas, focused on the transformative power of education and bilingual learning, with leaders from LAUSD and academic institutions in Mexico and California.
“Our 2025 theme, ‘Let’s Build Peace Together,’ reflects our mission to create spaces for thinking, reflecting, and growing in harmony,” said Marisol Schulz Manaut, LéaLA’s general director.
Gustavo Padilla, president of the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, emphasized the festival’s role in education: “The Forum of Ideas is designed to promote equity, inclusion, and international academic collaboration. It’s about building bridges through language and learning.”
With more than 40 publishers and the University of Guadalajara’s Carlos Fuentes Bookstore on-site, attendees can browse and purchase a wide variety of Spanish-language titles.
Since its first edition in 2011, LéaLA has drawn tens of thousands of readers, students, and families, building a loyal following in Los Angeles. With support from community institutions, educational partners, and sponsors like DirecTV, the 2025 festival marks a milestone tenth edition.
Festival Details
? LéaLA – Spanish-Language Book Fair and Literary Festival
? September 25–28, 2025 | 9 AM – 7 PM daily
? LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
? www.lea-la.com
? All activities are free and open to the public
From thought-provoking discussions to hands-on workshops and live performances, LéaLA offers something for everyone—whether you’re a lifelong reader, an educator, or a family looking for enriching cultural activities.
Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making books, stories, and creativity part of your weekend in the heart of Los Angeles.