Book Events: Fairs, Festivals, and Conferences (2025 and 2026)
Check out our list of events from the beginning of the year.. To add an event, complete our form: Add a Book Festival or Fair to Our Calendar. You can also share event details in the Press Release section of our discussion forum.
Visit our Photo Gallery, Event Archives, and AALBC’s Events.
12 Events Found in Maryland
Malice Domestic
Gathersburg
Hosted by: Agatha Christie
Dates: Friday, April 28, 2023 to Monday, May 1, 2023
Website: Malice Domestic
Email: submit form
Description:
Annual fan convention that celebrates traditional mystery.
Learn more about Malice Domestic on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Books in Bloom Literary Festival
Color Burst Park
6000 Merriweather Dr, Columbia, Maryland 21044
Hosted by: The Downtown Columbia Partnership
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website: Books in Bloom Literary Festival
Email: jean@booksinbloom.org
Description:
Books In Bloom is an innovative, progressive, and memorable festival, poised to be one of the premier book festivals in the region. The festival is free and open to the public. Register to join us for the free one-day outdoor festival full of author readings, children's activities, a pop-up bookstore by Busboys & Poets, and more.
Learn more about Books in Bloom Literary Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Shoff Promotions Comic Con
Annadale VA Firehouse Expo Hall
5904 Willow Knoll Dr., Derwood, Maryland 20855
Hosted by: Shoff Pomotions inc.
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023
Time: 9:30M-3:00PM
Website: Shoff Promotions Comic Con
Phone: 3019904929
Email: pnshoff@aol.com
Description:
Comic book and non-sports card shows, baseball and sportcard shows, and collectible shows.
Learn more about Shoff Promotions Comic Con on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Black Books Matter Day
MahoganyBooks - National Harbor
121 American Way, Oxon Hill, Maryland 20745
Hosted by: https://www.mahoganybooks.com/
Date: Saturday, August 5, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Website: Black Books Matter Day
Email: customerservice@mahoganybooks.com
Description:
Though black books have always mattered, some have yet to discover the lost wisdom, rich history, and incredible creativity found them. Wee’re using #blackbooksmatterday22 & #blackbooksmatter to share the profound impact of black books.
Learn more about Black Books Matter Day on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Black Authors & Readers Rock
Harborside Hotel
6400 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745, Oxon Hill, Maryland
Hosted by: Sharon Lucas and The Reading Divas Book Club
Dates: Friday, October 6, 2023 to Saturday, October 7, 2023
Website: Black Authors & Readers Rock
Email: sharon@sharonrlucas.com
Description:
BARR is a two day literary conference that offers readers the opportunity to meet and mingle with new, emerging and nationally recognized African American authors from all writing genres, and offers authors the opportunity to greet old friends, meet new readers and sell their works.
Though BARR’s focus is on authors of color, because they are traditionally underserved by the publishing industry, the conference is open to everyone.
BARR brings value to the community by providing attendees the opportunity to learn about the craft of writing, and other related topics, through workshops and panel discussions focused on triggering an exchange of knowledge and ideas. BARR was founded by Sharon Lucas
AALBC’s Founder and Webmaster, Troy Johnson, will be giving a workshop this year!
Learn more about Black Authors & Readers Rock on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
BLK Author Expo
Keller Williams Event Center
1441 McCormick Drive, Suite 1030, Largo, Maryland 20774
Hosted by: BookButler Publishing Company
Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: BLK Author Expo
Description:
Be a part of this community gathering and vendor marketplace celebrating African American authors and their works. The five-hour live book expo will feature 70+ regional authors showcasing books in all genres for all ages.
Learn more about BLK Author Expo on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Baltimore City Lit Festival
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
1212 Cathedral St, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Hosted by: CityLit Project
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Website: Baltimore City Lit Festival
Description:
Baltimore’s award-winning annual festival of all things literary takes place each spring, and remains one of CityLit Project’s signature events.
Learn more about Baltimore City Lit Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
African American Children’s Book Fair
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
830 E. Pratt St. Baltimore, MD 21202, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Hosted by: BGE, An Exelon Company
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Website: African American Children’s Book Fair
Phone: 443-263-1800
Email: emailus@lewismuseum.org
Description:
Children and families can enjoy a fun-filled day exploring kids’ literature about African Americans while meeting some of your favorite children’s authors and illustrators in our Book Village.
Learn more about African American Children’s Book Fair on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
The Library Learning Experience
Hosted by: American Library Association
Dates: Friday, January 24, 2025 to Monday, January 27, 2025
Website: The Library Learning Experience
Email: submit form
Description:
At LibLearnX, library professionals at all levels can take part in a conference experience that will provide ultimate learning benefits. Attendees will participate in hands-on workshops, bite-size sessions, and other formats designed to match preferred learning styles with an emphasis on experiential learning. Be inspired and motivated by thought-leaders, authors, and subject matter experts, and celebrate your colleagues and favorite authors at the Award ceremonies.
Learn more about The Library Learning Experience on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Annapolis Book Festival
The Key School
534 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403, Annapolis, Maryland
Hosted by: The Key School
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Website: Annapolis Book Festival
Phone: 410-263-9231
Description:
The Annapolis Book Festival is one of the premier community events in the region. Every year more than 3,000 people attend this free community Festival that celebrates the beauty, power, passion, and excitement of the written word. The Annapolis Book Festival brings nationally renowned authors to The Key School in Annapolis, Maryland, to discuss their books and the craft of writing. The Festival also features children's activities, live music, refreshments, and new and used book sales.
Learn more about Annapolis Book Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Gaithersburg Book Festival
Bohrer Park
506 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Hosted by: City of Gaithersburg
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Website: Gaithersburg Book Festival
Phone: 301-258-6350
Email: gbf@gaithersburgmd.gov
Description:
The Gaithersburg Book Festival is an annual celebration of great books and great writing that will feature more than 100 award-winning and best-selling authors in fiction, non-fiction, mystery, science fiction, poetry, children’s and young adult literature. Held in Gaithersburg, Md., the Festival also includes interactive writing workshops, a Children&rsquos Village, book sales, author signings and more. Admission and shuttles from Shady Grove Metro and Montgomery County Fairgrounds are FREE.
Learn more about Gaithersburg Book Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
African American Cultural Expo and Children's Book Festival
Capital Clubhouse Arena
3033 Waldorf Market Pl, Waldorf, Maryland 20603
Hosted by: National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc.
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: African American Cultural Expo and Children's Book Festival
Email: info@nbcit.org
Description:
The African American Cultural Expo and Book Festival is a celebration of cultural arts, community, creativity, and literacy. The expo features music, arts & crafts, storytelling, children's book authors, cultural arts vendors, and fun for the entire family.
Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Check out our coverage of past events.