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About the event
On Saturday, May 9th, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm join us at Color Burst Park, located in the heart of the vibrant Merriweather District, discover the world of books and enjoy family-friendly activities at the 10th Anniversary of the Books in Bloom festival, hosted by the Downtown Columbia Partnership and Howard Hughes Communities and sponsored by Columbia Association.
This year we are celebrating the voices of local authors and teen voices!
Books in Bloom is more than a book festival, is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the power of storytelling to unite generations and cultures. This free event invites families and book lovers of all ages to revel in a day filled with captivating readings, interactive activities, and engaging discussions.
Whether you're a seasoned bookworm or just looking for a day of family fun, Books in Bloom promises a unique way to experience it all.
Performances /Readings by:
Generation Verse: Featuring readings and spoken word from high school and middle school authors
Authors all Around: Panel discussion feature local authors and their works
INTERACTIVES /ACTIVATIONS
- Calling all Book Clubs! Register for a VIP Book Club Meet-up at 11:00am for an exclusive reception featuring complimentary refreshments and exclusive giveaways.
Not part of a Book Club? Recruit some friends and download our Books in Bloom Book Club Guide to start yours today!!
-Local Author Village showcasing the authors next door located on Mango Tree Road
-Creator Labs to discover ways to express your story through podcasting, vlogging and illustration
- Presentations from Howard County Public School student authors of the Navigating the Margins and Our Vision
Join us to learn more about the Navigating the Margins writing program for HCPSS high school students. Meet a student author, purchase a copy of Navigating the Margins volume 1 or 2, and register to join a summer writing circle to help craft your application to be part of next year's opportunity! We'll be promoting lots of opportunities for how you can be involved through reading and writing at our tent. We also invite you to design your own book cover in our "Future is in Bloom" activity. We'll take your Polaroid headshot and you can design a book cover that tells your personal story to display at our booth.
-Outdoor Bookstore hosted by Busboys & Poets
- Flower Shop hosted by Calluna Flower truck
-Signature Giveaway: The first 200 guests will receive a signature giveaway.
-Community Book Swap: Bring a pre-loved book to plant in our Community Book Garden and pick a book to take home with you. Free to plant/pick book(s).
-Reading Garden with family-friendly crafts and activities, face painting and glitter tattoos
- Future is in Bloom DIY Author Covers
- Immersive, Insta-worthy photo ops and interactives
- Visit booths from local partners and organizations
-Wine & Cocktail Bars hosted by Cured and 18th & 21st and GameOn
-Food available for sale from local restaurateurs
Dates
May 09, 2026 · 11:00 AM - May 09, 2026 · 3:00 PM(GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
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Location
Parking instructions
Free Parking at Symphony Woods Garage, located at 6275 Mango Tree Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Event highlights
Downtown Columbia Partnership
Downtown Columbia Partnership proudly serves a new urban district that embraces its future as an exceptional business, residential, retail, and cultural destination. We promote the growth and vitality of this community and its businesses, implement beautification projects, support transportation initiatives, and host events that bring people together.
Howard Hughes
A hub of culture and commerce featuring an electrifying arts and music scene, Merriweather District in Columbia has a walkable urban center with experiential retail, restaurants, entertainment and natural beauty everywhere you look.
Conveniently located between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Columbia is comprised of ten residential villages with a diversity of housing and the Merriweather District.
Columbia Association
The Columbia Association (CA) is a non-profit community services corporation that manages the planned community of Columbia, Maryland. Founded in 1967, CA provides a wide array of recreational, cultural, and community services and programs for residents and businesses, aiming to enhance the quality of life and foster a strong sense of community. Their responsibilities include managing open spaces, recreational facilities, cultural events, and various community programs.
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Price: $0.00 + Applicable Fees and Taxes
Festival RSVP
$0.00
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This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable
after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon
receiving this ticket by email.
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Book Club VIP Meet-Up RSVP: MEMBERS ONLY
$0.00
NON-REFUNDABLE
Non-Refundable Ticket
This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable
after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon
receiving this ticket by email.
Choose time slots for the selected tickets to continue
Schedule
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Vendors & Exhibitors
Interested in applying:
2 active applications
Deadline:
May 09, 2026
Welcome to Books in Bloom at Color Burst Park! As a business located at Merriweather District you are encouraged to promote your business at this event. Participating in events is a great way to showcase your business, build brand awareness and drive traffic to your business by offering giveaways, special promotions and general business information. If you would like to discuss the opportunity, Book a Call: https://usemotion.com/meet/janae-wheeler/meeting Please submit this form to confirm your event participation and be listed in the virtual marketplace for all event attendees to see.
Deadline:
May 09, 2026
We are delighted to invite you to apply for a coveted spot in The Author Next Door Interview Session, hosted and curated by George Clack of the esteemed Little Patuxent Review (LPR).
We plan to interview 10 writers in 60 minutes so it will be a little like speed dating. The first 10 writers to sign up are the 10 we’ll talk with.
This session is a cornerstone of our 2026 focus on elevating local voices and highlighting teen and Young Adult narratives.
Time: 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Sponsor Applications
Interested in applying:
1 active application
Deadline:
May 08, 2026
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Books in Bloom 2026
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Hosted by Merriweather District
Joined Eventeny in February 2024
34 events
Columbia, Maryland, United States 
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