Books in Bloom | 2026

On Saturday, May 9th, from 11:00 am to 3:30 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