What was the purpose of the New York Public Library's Winter Reading Festival?

The Winter Reading Festival aimed to celebrate diverse reading habits and reimagine how people engage with libraries, offering a special social experience for book lovers.

What activities were offered at the NYPL Winter Reading Festival?

The festival featured silent reading sessions, DJ music, bookish arts and crafts, and a 'Writing Room' with journals and prompts.

Why was the Winter Reading Festival significant given recent trends?

The event was significant as it aimed to encourage reading for pleasure, which has seen a notable decline, by providing a social and engaging environment.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Library Transforms into Reading Party Paradise

Library Transforms into Reading Party Paradise

2 Feb

•

Summary

NYPL hosted a Winter Reading Festival for over 1000 attendees.
The event featured silent reading rooms, DJ music, and writing workshops.
It celebrated diverse reading habits amidst declining pleasure reading.

Library Transforms into Reading Party Paradise

On January 31, 2026, the New York Public Library (NYPL) hosted its Winter Reading Festival, attracting over 1,000 New Yorkers. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in midtown Manhattan was reimagined as a reader's paradise for the special event, organized in collaboration with Reading Rhythms.

Reading Rhythms, a New York-based organization founded by Ben Bradbury, Charlotte Jackson, John Lifrieri, and Tom Worcester, is known for its literary social gatherings. This festival marked their 500th lifetime event and aimed to explore new ways of engaging with libraries.

The event offered diverse activities, including silent reading sprints, DJ sets by Adi Oasis, and bookish arts and crafts. A dedicated 'Writing Room' provided journals and prompts, encouraging creative expression and sharing among attendees.