faq

BAM! Festival is a book, art, and music festival held annually in downtown West Palm Beach, FL. 

BAM! Festival’s mission is to provide a county-wide literary experience that brings together authors, teachers, students, families, and the community to share their love of books which will in turn promote literacy, encourage fellowship through education, exercise young minds with discussion, and inspire youth to reach high.

Nothing! BAM! Festival is a completely free and family-friendly event. No attendee registration is required, just show up on the day of the event and ENJOY!

BAM! Festival is a book, art, and music festival for children and teens. We accept authors and illustrators of: children's books, picture books, middle grade books/graphic novels, and young adult books/graphic novels. We do not, at this time, have any panels for adult literature.

In order to participate in the festival as an author, you must be traditionally published.

At this time, BAM! Festival only hosts traditionally published authors for our panels and interactive events.

If you are a traditionally published author or illustrator interested in participating in the festival, send us an email at: bamfestival@booksartmusic.org

BAM! Festival has, in recent years, expanded opportunities for vendors at the festival.

However, BAM! Festival 2025 will not have any vendor opportunities. If you would like to join a waiting list for future events, please contact us at: bamfestival@booksartmusic.org

BAM! Festival is held annually in downtown West Palm Beach, FL at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach and City Hall- 411 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

Parking

Guests can take advantage of close parking for reasonable rates in all City lots, garages and metered spaces, and free boat docking.

• The Banyan Street Garage (500 Banyan Blvd.) located at Banyan Boulevard and Narcissus Avenue, one block North of Clematis Street

• The Evernia Street Garage (333 Evernia St.) located at Evernia Street and Olive Avenue, two blocks South of Clematis Street

• The City Center Garage (401 Banyan Blvd.) located at Banyan Street and South Dixie Highway, one block north of Clematis Street.

• The Clematis Street Garage (500 Banyan Blvd.) located to the immediate west of the railroad tracks and Quadrille Boulevard.

• The Sapodilla City Garage (640 Clematis Street) located at Clematis Street and Sapodilla Avenue, one block west of Rosemary Avenue

Numerous private parking lots in the downtown area are also available for parking and a free trolley runs round-trip from Clematis Street to The Square. Handicap parking can be found in the City parking garages.

For more parking locations and information, visit City of West Palm Beach Parking.

Transportation

Catch a free on-demand ride from the Parking Garages using Ride West Palm Beach, powered by Circuit.

Download the Circuit app

Yes, there is a place to buy books while at the festival!

Each year BAM! Festival has a bookstore with the works represented by the authors from that year. Part of the sales proceeds go towards supporting next years festival.