11 Book Events You Can Still Get Tickets for in 2025
By Jourdan McIntosh
Festival and conference season for the bookish community has officially started! Many of these events are already sold out, and members of the bookish community (including myself) are absolutely sick about it. However, there is a short list of events that still have tickets available (as of now, April 1st, 2025—and no, this is not a sick April Fools' joke; there is indeed still hope).
So here are six ticketed events and five free events you can attend for some bookish fun in Summer and Fall 2025.
June 7–8, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
Imaginarium Book Festival is a must-attend event for fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and speculative fiction, offering an immersive escape into magical worlds and epic storytelling. Founded in 2018 by two longtime book community members, this annual festival in Washington, DC brings together over 80 authors and vendors, along with hundreds of passionate readers. While two-day tickets are sold out, the Voyager Ticket (Saturday only) is still available, granting access to the highly anticipated Author Hall and Apothecrafty, where attendees can purchase and get books signed or browse unique bookish merch like art, soaps, and plushies.
Saturday’s lineup is packed with unforgettable experiences, including the Fantasy Lush Soirée, Lit Feud Author Tournament, and the crowd-favorite Lit Talk Sessions—think author panels, but more interactive, unpredictable, and hilarious! If you're feeling bold, stop by the Tattoo Parlor Walk-ins, where celebrity tattoo artist Elva Stefanie and her assistant Cookie will be inking bookish designs on-site. This year’s featured authors include JD Netto, Nisha J. Tuli, Aurelia Jane, Kel Carpenter, and many more, with engaging discussions moderated by Deb & Whitney of Our Nerdiest Thing Podcast. If you live for fantasy, fandoms, and fun, Imaginarium would be so perfect for you!
August 21–23, 2025 | Kissimmee, FL
Romantically Yours Book Convention offers a lot, with nearly 200 authors gathering for a weekend at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The event is packed with opportunities to connect, from a welcome event making friendship bracelets to VIP mixers, engaging panels, and lively signing sessions featuring authors like K.K. Allen, Georgia Beers, Dylan Newton, Jillian Liota, and Grace Reilly. Attendees can explore the bookstore and vendor room, dive into discussion panels, and unwind with fun activities like a pool party and a cozy pajama night filled with crafts, snacks, and bookish conversations.
The weekend continues with more signings, a tentative narrator meet-and-greet, and the grand finale: a Goodbye Event where guests can dress as their favorite book characters for a night of games, prizes, and celebration. If you love romance, community, and a touch of magic, this is the one!
September 5–6, 2025 | Dallas, TX
Villains and Vixens is the ultimate 18+ romance book signing event, celebrating every shade of romance, from contemporary to dark and everything in between. Held at the stunning Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, this event brings together over 120 incredible authors, including fan-favorites like Ruby Dixon, LJ Andrews, S.M. Gaither, Kendra Moreno, and Jen L. Grey.
If you’re obsessed with morally gray characters, intense storytelling, and romance that pushes boundaries, this is the event for you. The weekend will be an unforgettable experience filled with book signings, epic discussions, and a community of readers who love their love stories with a little (or a lot of) edge.
October 2–5, 2025 | Chicago, IL
Book Harvest is for book lovers, authors, and readers who crave immersive storytelling and literary connections. Attend author panels, book signings, and engaging discussions. Mingle with an exciting lineup of authors, including AJ Vrana, A. Winchester, A.L. Woods, Abigail Owen, and many more. Enjoy cozy autumnal vibes, from warm drinks and donuts to eerie book chats, creating the perfect atmosphere for a weekend of literary magic.
The event kicks off with Vendor Alley shopping and a cozy author meet-up before diving into a packed schedule of signings, panels, and exclusive themed gatherings. Highlights include a Dark Romance event, a Monster Romance sponsor night, and a festive Pumpkin Patch Scavenger Hunt. The weekend wraps up with a lively costume party and a farewell brunch, making it a must-attend for fans of spooky season fun.
October 23–25 | Orlando, FL
Blending the best of romance and fantasy, Romantasy BookCon is a haven for fans of epic love stories set in magical worlds. With over 150 authors and vendors, this immersive convention is filled with exclusive signings, engaging panels, and hands-on workshops. Some of the featured authors are Casey L. Bond, Ali Hazelwood, Juliette Cross, and Willow Quinn.
Beyond the books, attendees can unleash their inner hero with archery and axe throwing, embrace mystical elements with tarot readings, henna tattoos, cosplay contests, and an enchanting masquerade ball.
October 31–November 1, 2025 | Anaheim, CA
Steamy Lit Con is a romance book convention designed for readers who love swoon-worthy and diverse love stories. Perfect for die-hard romance fans and anyone who can't stop gushing about their favorite fictional book bae, this two-day event is all about building connections, celebrating inclusivity in romance, and immersing yourself in the bookish community.
The weekend will be packed with engaging panels, inspiring keynote speakers, and an incredible eight hours of book signings—giving you plenty of time to meet over 150 amazing authors, including fan-favorites like Abby Jimenez, Ali Hazelwood, Kennedy Ryan, A.E. Valdez, J.L. Seegars, and Natasha Bishop.
Free Events:
Many cities across the U.S. host free literary festivals each year, celebrating books, authors, and the joy of reading. Check your local library or literary organizations to see what book events are happening near you.
Here are five major book festivals offering incredible experiences at no cost:
July 20 | Detroit, MI
September 6 | Washington, D.C.
September 21 | Brooklyn, NY
October 18–19 | Nashville, TN
November 8–9 | Austin, TX
These are all great options! Many of these events have featured excellent workshops, engaging panels, and strong crowd turnouts in the past—don't procrastinate! Grab tickets for your most-anticipated festivals right now!
Also, I know 2026 seems far off, but let’s learn our lesson this time, okay? Now is a great time to start planning for the events you want to attend next year.
Have fun, besties. We hope to see y’all at some of these events!