Imaginarium Book Festival 2026
Fri, Jun 05
|University of the District of Columbia
Join us in Washington, DC, on Friday and Saturday, June 5-6, 2026! Featuring 80+ author and vendor exhibitors. Book signings, special events, and much more!
Time & Location
Jun 05, 2026, 9:00 AM – Jun 06, 2026, 4:00 PM
University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
About the Event
We are so excited to gather together with 80+ authors and vendors, including special guests Cassandra Clare, Chloe Gong, Hayley Dennings, Holly Black, Gabriella Buba, Shanora Williams, Scarlett St. Clair, Britney S. Lewis, and Danielle L. Jensen! See author lineup. Children 12 years and younger may attend the festival for free. For security reasons, you must wear your badge/lanyard at all times while visiting the festival.
HOW TICKETS WORK:
Tickets to Imaginarium are buildable, so that you may customize your festival experience and only pay for what you plan to participate in. Entry tickets are mandatory to access any and all parts of the festival. You cannot attend with only add-on tickets. The entry tickets are Celestial VIP, Phantasma, and Voyager. For more information on what each ticket includes, please read the ticket details.
INKING LORE (Friday Add-on):
Join us in the UDC Theater of the Arts for a chat discussion about world building, myths, and all your favorite characters! Featuring authors Holly Black & Chloe Gong. Book signing to follow. This ticket also includes access to the snack bar and one (1) Pixie Potion* drink ticket. NOTE: This add-on event takes place concurrently with the GILDED GEARS TEA PARTY on Friday, June 5. Please plan accordingly.
GILDED GEARS TEA PARTY (Friday Add-on):
Join us for a steampunk-themed tea party and chat discussion with author Cassandra Clare. Menu will include 3 courses: finger sandwiches, scones, sweets, and teas. There will be plant-based milks available, but no Gluten-Free options. Please plan accordingly. NOTE: This add-on event takes place concurrently with INKING LORE on Friday, June 5. Please plan accordingly.
LIT TALK (Add-on)
Lit Talk is similar to author panels, but better. Four categories, randomized questions, and discussions that engage the audience and keep you laughing. Authors get to geek out and be fans too! This ticket includes access to Lit Talk sessions on Friday and Saturday, an entry badge ribbon, and a limited edition 2026 Lit Talk acrylic pin. Lit Talk sessions are first-come-first-serve for seating. Door will close when the room has reached full capacity.
LIT FEUD (Saturday Add-on)
Inspired by the American game show, Family Feud, but with author teams and bookish trivia! This ticket includes access to the Lit Feud author tournament and a matching badge ribbon. NOTE: There will not be a soirée/mixer prior to this event. The gameshow will be a standalone event.
*Pixie Potion is a lavender-flavored lemonade. Please be aware of food dyes and any personal allergies.
Tickets
Celestial VIP (2-Day)
This ticket includes a graphic tote bag filled with bookish goods and a tote charm keychain. It also includes 2-day access to the Author Hall / Apothecrafty, a limited edition foil-stamped reading journal, and a badge + lanyard.
$120.00
+$12.00 State Tax
Goes on sale
Jul 20, 6:00 PM
Phantasma (2-Day)
This ticket includes 2-day access to the Author Hall / Apothecrafty, and a badge + lanyard.
$30.00
+$3.00 State Tax
Goes on sale
Jul 20, 6:00 PM
Lit Talk (Add-on)
Lit Talk is similar to author panels, but better. Four categories, randomized questions, and discussions that engage the audience and keep you laughing. Authors get to geek out and be fans too! This ticket includes access to Lit Talk sessions on Friday and Saturday, an entry badge ribbon, and a limited edition 2026 Lit Talk acrylic pin. Lit Talk sessions are first-come-first-serve for seating. Door will close when the room has reached full capacity.
$25.00
+$2.50 State Tax
Goes on sale
Jul 20, 6:00 PM
Gilded Gears (Friday Add-on)
Join us for a steampunk tea party brunch + a chat discussion with author Cassandra Clare. Menu will include 3 courses: finger sandwiches, scones, sweets, and teas. There will be plant-based milks available, but no Gluten-Free options. Gilded Gears is not recommended for those with nut allergies. NOTE: This event takes place concurrently with INKING LORE on Friday, June 5. Please plan accordingly.
$100.00
+$10.00 State Tax
Goes on sale
Jul 20, 6:00 PM
Inking Lore (Friday Add-on)
Join us in the UDC Theater of the Arts for a chat discussion about world building, myths, and all your favorite characters! Featuring authors Holly Black & Chloe Gong. This ticket also includes access to the snack bar (prices will vary) and one (1) Pixie Potion* drink ticket. NOTE: This event takes place concurrently with the GILDED GEARS TEA PARTY on Friday, June 5.
$10.00
+$1.00 State Tax
Goes on sale
Jul 20, 6:00 PM
Lit Feud (Saturday Add-on)
Inspired by the American game show, Family Feud, but with author teams and bookish trivia! This ticket includes access to the Lit Feud author tournament and a matching badge ribbon. NOTE: there will not be a soirée/mixer prior to this event. The gameshow will be a standalone event.
$10.00
+$1.00 State Tax
Goes on sale
Jul 20, 6:00 PM