Erbil International Book Fair 2026 visitor guide

The 18th Erbil International Book Fair runs from 21 to 31 October 2026 in Hall 1 at Erbil International Fairground, organized by Almada. Those details come from the venue's exhibition calendar. If you plan to visit during the final days, confirm the daily opening hours before you head over.

This guide was verified on 26 October 2026. Official pages confirm the dates and hall, but omit exhibition hours, ticket prices, and entry rules. The sections below outline verified information alongside practical steps for settling unanswered questions.

What is confirmed for the final week

The official calendar lists the event as the 18th Erbil International Book Fair, running through 31 October in Hall 1. The fairground's website places the venue within Sami Abdul-Rahman Park on Mosul Road in Erbil.

The fair is open to the public rather than restricted to trade professionals. Almada's current homepage coverage shows visitors browsing stands across the third, fourth, and fifth days, with photo reports through 25 October. However, official announcements do not state whether visitors need advance registration or an admission ticket.

The current schedule ends on 31 October. Do not expect stalls to remain open into November unless Almada issues an official extension.

Opening hours and entry rules

The fairground lists telephone office hours of Sunday through Thursday, 09:00 to 17:00 on its homepage. These are administrative contact hours, not public exhibition hours. Do not rely on them as your visiting schedule.

The venue lists two phone numbers:

• +964 787 1000 100
• +964 751 1000 100

Call the venue to confirm these details before your visit:

1. What time the doors open for visitors, and when last entry is permitted
2. Whether Friday or the closing day follows a different timetable
3. Whether admission is free, paid at the door, or requires prior registration
4. Any restrictions on photo identification, bags, or children
5. Whether your ticket or stamp allows same-day re-entry

Neither Almada nor the venue publishes an entry price online, and neither explicitly confirms free admission. Do not assume entry is free simply because the public is welcome.

Languages, publishers, and the daily programme

Almada organizes the fair, but the online listing does not include a 2026 publisher directory, language breakdown, or daily schedule. Stalls change each year, so do not rely on past rosters for English selections, specific publishing houses, or author signings.

If you are looking for specific books, bring a list of titles and authors with their original spellings and ISBNs. Ask stall staff or organizers which stands stock the languages you want. For Kurdish publications, specify whether you need Sorani, Kurmanji, Arabic script, or Latin script, rather than asking broadly for Kurdish books.

If you plan to attend author talks or panels, check the room, start time, and language on site. Posters on the fairgrounds do not always clarify whether a discussion includes live translation.

Getting to the fairground

The venue address is Sami Abdul-Rahman Park, Mosul Road, Erbil 44001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, as listed on the official venue website. The calendar specifies Hall 1, but does not indicate which park gate serves as the public entrance.

Sami Abdul-Rahman Park covers a large area. If you use a taxi or ride-hailing app, give your driver the fairground entrance rather than just the park name. Agree on a specific pick-up point for your return, especially if you plan to carry heavy purchases.

The venue has not published information on event shuttles, local bus connections, parking fees, or designated taxi ranks. Allow extra time in your plans to find the right gate and clear security checks at the door.

Accessibility and visiting with children

The fairground has two indoor exhibition halls and outdoor areas, but the website provides no accessibility guide. A listing in Hall 1 does not guarantee step-free movement from the curb to the hall interior.

If accessibility determines whether you can attend, call the venue before you travel. Ask about drop-off points near Hall 1, curb cuts, ramps, step-free doorways, accessible restrooms, and seating areas. Wheelchair users should also verify whether staff assistance requires advance notice.

Families visiting with young children should verify stroller access and check whether child-entry policies apply. The venue has not announced a supervised children's area or dedicated youth activities for this edition.

Practical tips for your visit

Pick one main goal for your trip, such as tracking down specific titles or attending a scheduled talk. Keep your book list on your phone and complete a quick walking circuit of Hall 1 before buying heavy volumes. Most vendors operate in cash, so carry smaller denominations of Iraqi dinars, ask about payment methods before buying, and collect paper receipts.

During the closing week of a fair, calling ahead to confirm the active gate, today's opening hours, and scheduled talks is far more dependable than relying on past itineraries.

FAQs

Sources

• Erbil International Fair, "Exhibitions." Official calendar confirming the edition, dates, Hall 1 and organiser. https://erbilfair.com/exhibitions. Accessed 26 October 2026.
• Erbil International Fair, "Erbil International Fair (EIF)." Venue address, grounds description, telephone numbers and contact hours. https://erbilfair.com/. Accessed 26 October 2026.
• Almada, "الرئيسة - جريدة المدى" [Homepage]. Current headlines include public-attendance photo coverage of the fair's third, fourth and fifth days, including "أجواء ثقافية وحضور جماهيري في اليوم الخامس من معرض أربيل للكتاب (صور)", dated 25 October 2026. https://almadapaper.net/. Accessed 26 October 2026.