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 Ta-Nehisi Coates, whose 2015 book Between the World and Me won the National Book Award. 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.