BookCon Makes a Bold Return in 2026 With a Fresh Format and Fan-Focused Energy
After a six-year hiatus, BookCon is making its long-awaited comeback. ReedPop, the event’s organizer, has announced that the beloved bookish extravaganza will return to New York City’s Javits Center on April 18–19, 2026. Once tied to the now-defunct BookExpo, BookCon last held an in-person event in 2019 before going virtual in 2020. Now, it’s back—and it’s getting a major glow-up.
ReedPop promises that the 2026 edition will be a “wholly reimagined event,” centered around immersive fan experiences. The lineup is expected to include author panels, signings, interactive workshops, and newly added “crafting zones” where creativity takes center stage. But this isn’t just about books—it’s about the entire literary lifestyle.
According to the official event site, BookCon will feature a vibrant show floor showcasing everything from fiction and nonfiction to stationery, bookish apparel, accessories, home goods, and wellness products. ReedPop is currently accepting applications for exhibitors and has emphasized the range of opportunities available—from booths and branded sponsorships to interactive activations designed to spark engagement and sales.
One key shift? BookCon is now being positioned as a standalone consumer event, rather than a bolt-on to a trade show. That means publishers and vendors will need to see the value of direct-to-reader sales and fan engagement on their own terms. To sweeten the deal, ReedPop is forecasting 17,000 to 20,000 attendees and planning a main stage large enough to accommodate thousands of fans.
ReedPop also pitched a collaboration with Barnes & Noble as part of its spring proposal to publishers. Whether that alliance will materialize remains to be seen, but the emphasis is clear: BookCon 2026 will be a “selling show,” with affordable tickets designed to maximize attendee spending with publishers and booksellers alike.
As the publishing industry continues to evolve, fan-focused events like BookCon are becoming increasingly vital for building reader relationships, expanding author platforms, and igniting bookish buzz in an ever-competitive market. Book lovers, mark your calendars—BookCon is back, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more interactive than ever.