Mayor Mª José García-Pelayo presented the attendance figures after the fair ended. The 2026 edition drew 18,154 visitors, compared with 17,300 at the previous event, an increase of about 5%, or 854 people.
García-Pelayo credited Jerez's cultural strategy and the work of Culture delegate Paco Zurita and his team, who spent months preparing the event. The administration wants more than an annual book market: it wants a fair that attracts people and brings residents into direct contact with books and authors, while connecting them with culture.
The fair took place over five days, from 30 September to 4 October 2026, at the Claustros de Santo Domingo in Jerez.
Attendance is only part of the story. The programme reached beyond regular book-fair visitors, pairing several literary genres with activities for children and young people. Treasure hunts and heritage routes offered new ways to take part; concerts also moved the event beyond author talks and book sales.
Europa Press and other Spanish outlets reported 81 sessions and 19 presentations. They also counted 26 activities aimed at families, including children and young people. The fair had 25 publisher and bookseller stalls.
The event drew on Jerez's status as Spanish Capital of Gastronomy, adding tastings and food-related activities to the programme. Books remained at the centre, with local heritage and creativity also in the mix. Leisure and gastronomy rounded out the programme.
The 2026 edition was dedicated to the centenary of José Manuel Caballero Bonald’s birth. The city has also announced a separate commemorative programme on the Jerez-born writer, due to begin on 11 November and continue into 2027.
José Manuel Caballero Bonald gave the edition its basic literary focus. The fair marked the centenary of the Jerez-born writer's birth and introduced his work and career to visitors who may not have known them well. The city government placed particular emphasis on reaching younger generations.
The mayor described the fair as a shared project. Booksellers and publishers, along with cultural organisations and collaborating companies, helped shape the programme and visitor experience. Their work connects with reading promotion in Jerez throughout the year.
That cooperation will now come under review. The Culture Delegation plans to meet soon with participating booksellers and publishers. Organisations from the social and cultural sectors will also be invited, along with creative groups involved in the fair. The meetings will assess the 2026 edition and collect ideas for the next event.
Attendance rose by 854 visitors, and the programme moved beyond the traditional book-fair format. Family activities and cultural heritage helped give the event a distinct identity. Gastronomy and the Caballero Bonald commemoration added further distinction.
The next test is to maintain that breadth without pushing reading into the background. Jerez now has a credible cultural meeting point, but the city still needs to sustain its audience and shared working model.
