Thursday, January 22, 2026
7:00 p.m. Flick Fest for LitFest at Angelika Theater featuring literary agent, David Hale Smith, who will show short clips of TV shows and movies on which he has been involved, including the Apple TV+ adaptation of our Keynote Author’s work Dark Matter.
Monday, January 26, 2026
Elementary Poetry Contest opens to all HPISD 3rd and 4th Graders. This year’s theme is “What if?”
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (*New Date*)
7:00 p.m. HPHS Parent Book Club will discuss Dark Matter. Please RSVP to info@hplitfest.com and consider Bird’s Bookstore when purchasing your copy of Dark Matter. Please note new date due to inclement weather.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
HP Literary Festival Scholarship applications available. Open to all HPHS Students through the Highland Park Education Foundation website. Two scholarships will be awarded honoring Fred Damiano and Jennifer Hampton.
Monday, February 9, 2026
Student Writing Contest opens on Google. This contest is open to all HPHS Students.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
HP LitFest Student Book Club at HPHS.
Monday, February 16, 2026
1:00-2:30 p.m. Elementary School Poetry Contest Workshop led by HP LitFest high school committee members.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
9:00 a.m. Student Keynote Assembly with Keynote Author.
7:00 p.m. Community Keynote Address at HPHS Auditorium (doors open at 6:30 p.m.).
Friday, February 20, 2026
HPHS Student Writing Workshops by featured workshop presenters.
Evening. Open Mic Night for HPHS students only.
Elementary Poetry Contest closes.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Application deadline for HP Literary Festival Scholarships.
Monday, March 23, 2026
Deadline for HP LitFest Student Writing Contest. Open to all current HPHS students.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
7:00 a.m. HP LitFest Student Awards Breakfast by invitation only.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
HPHS Academic Awards Ceremony presenting HP LitFest scholarships to two seniors.