Are you a book lover itching to hang out with your kind of people? 2025 is packed with book conventions and festivals that are so much more than just places to grab a new read. These are your chance to meet the authors behind your favorite stories, dive into the art of storytelling, and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of literature.
Mysteries, fantasy, romance, kids’ books—whatever makes you flip pages until midnight, there’s an event with your name on it. We’ve pulled together 17 must-attend book events happening across the country.
So, grab your calendar (and maybe your TBR list), and let’s jump in!
1. Bookworm Book Festival for Young Readers
📅 When: February 1, 2025
📍 Where: Garcia Middle School, Houston, Texas
👤 Perfect For: Families, emerging readers, and fans of children’s books, as well as those curious about meeting their favorite authors and illustrators.
💡 About:
The Bookworm Book Festival is a free event for young readers and their favorite authors and illustrators. Offering programs in both English and Spanish, the festival has been a Houston favorite since 2014, featuring panels, Q&As, and book signings. If you’re bilingual, don’t miss our guide to the Best Spanish Books for kids and adults alike.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Award-winning authors and illustrators to meet and connect with readers.
- Inspiring panel discussions on children’s books in a bilingual format.
- Exclusive titles available at the Blue Willow pop-up bookstore.
- Signings, photos, and personal chats that create lasting memories.
2. Love Y’all Romance Book Fest
📅 When: February 14–16, 2025
📍 Where: Atlanta, Georgia
👤 Perfect For: Romance book lovers, aspiring writers.
💡 About:
The Love Y’all Romance Book Fest is Atlanta’s ultimate celebration of romance literature. It features over 80 authors, panels, signings, and exclusive experiences. Organized by three romance fans, it offers heartfelt stories, personal connections, and unforgettable memories.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Keynotes by bestselling authors like Ali Hazelwood, Amalie Howard, and Julian Winters, with VIP perks like signed books and meet-and-greets.
- Two full days packed with panels, book signings, and interactive discussions.
- Special activities, vendor booths, and a vibrant community of book lovers.
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3. North Texas Teen Book Festival
📅 When: February 28–March 1, 2025
📍 Where: Irving Convention Center, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, Texas
👤 Perfect For: Teens, young adults, educators, and anyone passionate about middle-grade and young adult books.
💡 About:
The North Texas Teen Book Festival (NTTBF) is a free annual event dedicated to teen literature. It is held over two days: Educator Day for teachers and librarians and Festival Day, which includes panels, signings, and discussions.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Over 75 authors of middle-grade and young-adult books.
- 42+ themed discussions on popular teen literature.
- Valuable insights and resources tailored for teachers and librarians.
- Book signings, workshops, and special events for a deeper connection to teen literature.
4. Little BIPOC Book Fest
📅 When: Saturday, March 15, 2025
📍 Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77010
👤 Perfect For: Children aged 3-10, families, educators, and anyone passionate about promoting diversity in children’s literature.
💡 About:
The Little BIPOC Book Fest is a free annual event in Houston that celebrates children’s literature by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) authors. The festival reflects a mosaic of cultures and fosters inclusivity and a love for reading through diverse stories.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Book giveaways, writing workshops, crafts, and creative activities for young readers.
- Live readings from acclaimed BIPOC children’s authors.
- Community connections with families and educators who value diversity and literacy.
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5. Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival
📅 When: March 26–30, 2025
📍 Where: Various venues in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter
👤 Perfect For: Literature enthusiasts, theater lovers, writers, and fans of Tennessee Williams.
💡 About:
The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival, now in its 39th year, is a five-day celebration of the legendary playwright Tennessee Williams set in the vibrant French Quarter. This festival features literary panels, theatre performances, writing workshops, and music that honor Williams’ legacy.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Literary discussions, writer workshops, and the Scholars Conference.
- Productions of Williams’ plays, collaborations with local theater companies, and unique performances at the Last Bohemia Fringe Festival.
- The iconic “Stella!” shouting contest, culinary showcases, and tribute readings.
- French Quarter walking tours and live music events.
6. WonderCon
📅 When: March 28–30, 2025
📍 Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California
👤 Perfect For: Fans of comic books, science fiction books, fantasy books, film, television, and pop culture.
💡 About:
WonderCon is a three-day celebration of comics and pop culture hosted by Comic-Con International. This gathering offers exclusive movie and television programming, engaging panels, autograph sessions, gaming zones, and the famous Masquerade. The Exhibit Hall boasts over 900 exhibitors with comics, art, and collectibles.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Industry icons like Jessica Fong (DC Comics), Matt Forbeck (game designer and author), Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn), and Adam Nimoy.
- Exclusive previews and sneak peeks of upcoming movies and TV shows.
- The Masquerade, a standout event celebrating the art of cosplay.
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7. NY Antiquarian Book Fest
📅 When: April 3–6, 2025
📍 Where: Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, New York, NY
👤 Perfect For: Bibliophiles, collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts of rare and antiquarian books, manuscripts, and related materials.
💡 About:
The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) is a world-renowned event celebrating over 60 years of rare book collecting. Held at the historic Park Avenue Armory, it features 180+ exhibitors showcasing rare books, manuscripts, maps, illustrations, historical documents, photographs, and more.
⭐ Why Attend?
- A vast selection of rare and unique items curated by top global dealers.
- Authenticity and quality guaranteed by expert exhibitors in the industry.
- The historic setting of the Park Avenue Armory’s 55,000-square-foot drill hall.
- Recognized as “Glastonbury for bibliophiles” by The Guardian and “one of the world’s leading gatherings of the rare book tribe” by The New York Times.
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8. Awesome Con
📅 When: April 4–6, 2025
📍 Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt Vernon Pl NW, Washington, DC 20001
👤 Perfect For: Fans of comics, movies, TV, anime, gaming, cosplay, and all facets of pop culture.
💡 About:
Awesome Con is Washington DC’s premier pop culture convention, attracting over 60,000 fans for three days of geeky celebration. It includes celebrity guests, panels, screenings, cosplay, and unique exhibits for fans of anime, manga, movies, games, and more.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Your favorite stars from comics, movies, TV.
- Panels and workshops covering anime, gaming, sci-fi, and fantasy.
- The Cosplay Competition, a platform for showcasing costume craftsmanship.
- A range of special features including:
- Anime Yokocho: Focused entirely on anime. If you’re a fan of Asian literature, check out our guides to the best Japanese books and Korean books to explore even more amazing reads.
- Book Fair: A paradise for authors and book enthusiasts.
- Pride Alley: Celebrating queer creators and fans with GeeksOUT.
- Science Fair: Highlighting the connection between science and science fiction.
- Short Film Festival: Presenting innovative and creative works.
9. BAM! Festival
📅 When: April 5, 2025
📍 Where: Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
👤 Perfect For: Readers, artists, musicians, families, and community members of all ages.
💡 About: The BAM! Festival is a free annual event in downtown West Palm Beach dedicated to books, art, and music. Founded by Helen Zientek and Sue Slone, it promotes literacy, creativity, and community engagement.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Author readings, signings, workshops, and live music.
- The Flash Fiction Challenge offering aspiring writers a chance to be published.
- Notable past guests like Vashti Harrison, Neal Shusterman, and Lamar Giles.
- Activities designed for all ages, making it a family-friendly celebration of the arts.
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10. Hamptons Whodunit
📅 When: April 10–13, 2025
📍 Where: East Hampton Village, New York
👤 Perfect For: Mystery and true crime enthusiasts, authors, forensic experts, and anyone intrigued by the art of suspense.
💡 About:
Hamptons Whodunit is a mystery and true crime festival. You’ll meet bestselling authors, true-crime experts, and forensic specialists through panels, book signings, and interactive crime-solving events.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Top authors like Lucy Foley, Tess Gerritsen, and Shari Lapena leading the 2025 lineup.
- A hands-on Crime Scene Challenge for testing your detective skills.
- Exclusive VIP gatherings, including the Maidstone Club cocktail party.
- Panels offering expert insights into mystery writing and true crime investigations.
11. C2E2
📅 When: April 11–13, 2025
📍 Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
👤 Perfect For: Fans of comics, movies, television, anime, gaming, cosplay, and pop culture enthusiasts of all ages.
💡 About: C2E2 is Chicago’s top pop culture convention, uniting fans and creators for a weekend filled with exhibitors, Artist Alley, panels, autograph sessions, cosplay competitions, and special events celebrating all things geek.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Stars like John Boyega (Star Wars), Sean Astin, and John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings).
- Cosplay competitions, workshops, and a platform to showcase costumes at Cosplay Central.
- Discussions on comics, entertainment, behind-the-scenes stories, and fan debates in panels and workshops.
- Limited-edition collectibles and exclusive C2E2 merchandise available for fans.
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12. Norwescon
📅 When: April 17–20, 2025
📍 Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport, SeaTac, Washington
👤 Perfect For: Fans of science fiction books, fantasy, art, gaming, costuming, and related genres.
💡 About: Norwescon is the Pacific Northwest’s leading science fiction and fantasy convention, offering hundreds of hours of panels, workshops, and special events to celebrate speculative fiction.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Guests of Honor:
- Writer: Catherynne M. Valente, bestselling author of Deathless and Space Opera.
- Science: Tracy Drain, a Systems Engineer in deep space exploration.
- Special: Isis Asare, founder of Sistah Scifi, the first Black-owned sci-fi bookstore.
- Publisher: Paizo, known for Pathfinder and Starfinder games.
- Over 200 panelists delivering diverse programming on writing, art, science, and more.
- Special events like the Philip K. Dick Awards, Masquerade, concerts, and performances.
- Volunteer opportunities.
13. Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
📅 When: April 12–13, 2025
📍 Where: University of Southern California (USC) campus, Los Angeles, California
👤 Perfect For: Readers, writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, publishers, and anyone with a passion for literature and the arts.
💡 About: The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is the largest literary festival in the U.S., drawing over 150,000 attendees annually since 1996. It celebrates storytelling through author panels, performances, and hundreds of exhibitors showcasing books and literary merchandise.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Literary luminaries like Margaret Atwood, Colson Whitehead, and Roxane Gay as featured authors.
- Personalized book signings by your favorite authors.
- Music, poetry, and theatrical performances celebrating L.A.’s vibrant culture.
- Culinary storytelling brought to life by chefs and food writers on the Cooking Stage.
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14. Mountain Words Literary Festival
📅 When: May 22–25, 2025
📍 Where: Crested Butte Center for the Arts, Crested Butte, Colorado
👤 Perfect For: Writers, readers, artists, and enthusiasts of literature, storytelling, and the arts.
💡 About: Set at 9,000 feet in the scenic town of Crested Butte, Colorado, the Mountain Words Literary Festival is a multi-day event about literature and the arts with readings, workshops, panels, and live theater.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Acclaimed writers like Karen Russell (The Antidote) and Deborah Jackson Taffa (Whiskey Tender), a National Book Award finalist.
- Workshops on nature writing, panels on public lands, and discussions on climate change and ski towns.
- A serene Rocky Mountain setting that fosters creativity and inspiration.
- Inclusive activities tailored for attendees of all ages, making it a family-friendly event.
15. The Imaginarium Book Festival
📅 When: June 6–7, 2025
📍 Where: University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC
👤 Perfect For: Fans of fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal literature.
💡 About: The Imaginarium Book Festival is all about fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal storytelling, offering a welcoming space for fans and newcomers to connect with authors and discover new worlds.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Over 80 authors and vendors, including Tomi Adeyemi, Hannah Whitten, Aparna Verma, Thea Guanzon, and Jasmine Walt.
- Lit Talk sessions diving into exciting fantasy and sci-fi topics.
- Free admission for kids 12 and under.
- Online games, giveaways, and scavenger hunts for interactive fan fun.
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16. Thrillerfest XX
📅 When: June 17–21, 2025
📍 Where: New York Hilton Midtown, New York City, New York
👤 Perfect For: Aspiring and established thriller writers, thriller books fans, literary agents, editors, and publishing professionals.
💡 About: ThrillerFest, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, is the annual conference for thriller enthusiasts and writers. It offers a week of education, networking, and inspiration through a comprehensive program.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Legends of the thriller world, including Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum), John Grisham (The Firm), and James Patterson (Alex Cross and other bestsellers).
- Insider knowledge from FBI Special Agents during FBI Day.
- MasterClass workshops with bestselling authors featuring personalized manuscript critiques.
- Writing guidance at CraftFest and query feedback at QueryFest.
- Fast-paced manuscript pitching to top agents and editors at PitchFest.
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17. NY Comicon
📅 When: October 9–12, 2025
📍 Where: Javits Center, New York City, New York
👤 Perfect For: Fans of comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, movies, television, and pop culture.
💡 About: New York Comic Con (NYCC) is the East Coast’s largest pop culture convention, held annually at the Javits Center in New York City. It’s dedicated to comics, TV, movies, and more with panels, screenings, autograph sessions, and exclusive merchandise.
⭐ Why Attend?
- Past star guests like Paul Bettany, Hayley Atwell, and Mads Mikkelsen.
- Panels and screenings featuring upcoming films, TV shows, and comics. Love adaptations? Check out our guides to Movies Turned Into Books and Books Turned Into Movies.
- Artist Alley showcasing top comic creators and fresh talent.
- Cosplay Central offering competitions and workshops for fans.
- Limited-edition collectibles and comics available in the Exhibitor Hall.
- After Dark events and scavenger hunts.
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Final Thoughts
And there you have it—17 incredible book conventions and festivals to make your 2025 one for the books (literally). If you want to meet your favorite author, discover a new genre, or just soak up the vibes with fellow book lovers, these events are the perfect excuse to pack your bag and dive into the literary world.
But don’t stop here! If you’re hungry for more bookish inspiration, check out our other blog posts:
How to Get Out of a Reading Slump — for tips to reignite your love for reading.
5 Read Aloud Apps — to keep your stories flowing anytime, anywhere.
Top Book Subscription Boxes — for a monthly dose of reading excitement.
55 Best Book Apps — for reading, tracking, and discovering books.
34 Reading Nook Ideas — to create the perfect cozy spot for your next read.
