Chicago’s Printers Row Lit Fest manages to retain its community-oriented identity while simultaneously taking the No. 1 spot among Midwestern literary festivals. Hosting nearly 100 events that feature authors both well-known and new on the scene—and welcoming diverse booksellers from across the country—the festival celebrates its 36th year with headliner Colson Whitehead, author of The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, and a winner of two Pulitzer Prizes. Colson will appear on September 12 to discuss his new book Harlem Shuffle. On September 11, Dawn Turner opens the festival with a conversation about her new book Three Girls From Bronzeville: A Uniquely American Memoir of Race, Fate, and Sisterhood. Printers Row expects to draw 100,000 people to its bookstands, spoken-word performances, writing workshops, and its programming is 100% free. —J.V.

The fair is on from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. daily.