Vijayawada, the third largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, boasts of having rich culture and traditions. Vijayawada is considered as the cultural centre of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Fairs and festivals of Vijayawada also form the integral part of the culture and traditions of the people of the city. Festivals celebrated in the city of Vijayawada offers the insights of vibrant cultures and traditions of the people. Vijayawada celebrates all major festival like Deepawali and Dussera with much pomp and show.  Festivals like Id-ul-fitr and Christmas are also celebrated there with equal enthusiasm.  

Apart from major national festivals the city of Vijayawada hosts and celebrates many other festivals and cultural programs. Krishna Pushkaram is a major festival celebrated in Vijayawada and in the whole of the state of Andhra Pradesh.  The festival is mainly celebrated on the banks of the rivers like Godavari, Pennar and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh. On the occasion of the festival devotees take the holi bath in the rivers. Makara Sankranti is another major festival celebrated in Vijayawada. Apart from these religious festivals Vijayawada also hosts cultural and other events. Vijayawada Book Festival is one among them. The event is organized by the Vijayawada Book Festival Society (VBFS).  The festival was first held in the year 1989 and since then it has become customary to hold this event on regular basis in the city. At present the event is organized every year in the month of January and is participated by thousands of book lovers including some imminent personalities from literary arena.