Philly Zine Fest

Zines (pronounced “zeens”, short for “magazines”) are often hand made, self published books embracing a do-it-yourself aesthetic focusing more on expressing the views of their creators than making a profit. Covering topics ranging from the personal to the political, and everything in between, zine-making is a thriving community in Philadelphia. This year’s event will be the biggest Philly Zine Fest in the event’s 21 year history, featuring 175 exhibitors selling and trading zines. Iffy Books, Pet Riso, Dox Thrash House, Partners and Son, and the Young Artist Program will all be represented. There will even be a free zine-making workshop, allowing attendees to get a taste of what creative self-expression is all about.

Free for all attendees, anyone interested in art, local subcultures, and printed media will find many works of interest and creators to interact with. The Philly Zine Fest is also the perfect place to purchase a quirky or unique gift for the discerning bibliophile for this holiday season.

Organized by the West Philly-based Soapbox Community Print Shop since 2019, this year’s fest is sponsored by Temple University Libraries with additional support provided by the Center for Humanities at Temple.