Registration Opens

Time on Wednesday may be subject to change.

Opening Hours:

• Wednesday, April 22, 2026 — 6 PM to 9 PM
• Thursday, April 23, 2026 — 7 AM to 9 PM
• Friday, April 24, 2026 — 7 AM to 9 PM
• Saturday, April 25, 2026 — 7 AM to 5:00 PM

Signing Times

Friday (Primal Only)	Saturday (Open to All)
1:00 to 6:00 PM	8:00 AM to 12:30 PM 12:30 to 1:30 (Break for lunch) 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM

SIGNING LIMITS:
Please note that we ask that attendees not bring more than 3 books, bookplates or items for authors to sign. Although authors may be willing to sign more, we ask that you adhere to this guideline to preserve them for both signing days. Pre-ordered books vary by author in item signing counts. 

ADA Requests

ADA requests are intended to support attendees who require accommodations to fully participate in ApollyCon 2026. We kindly ask that this process be used thoughtfully and with care, so we can best serve and prioritize those who truly need additional support. Your understanding helps us create an inclusive and welcoming experience for everyone.

Click here to complete the form

Bag Check

Room Location: Chesapeake B

ApollyCon will be providing bag check services on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25. Space is limited, and tickets will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis.

The cost for two-day bag check access is $30 per attendee for one checked bag. *Does not include EventBrite fees.

Hours of Operation:

• Friday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Please note that bag check will not be available during special event hours. Attendees should plan accordingly to retrieve or store items outside of those times.

Purchase Bag Check Tickets Here

Booth Map Coming Soon

Book/Item Signing Limit

To support the well-being of our signing authors and ensure a positive experience for all attendees, ApollyCon enforces a three-item signing limit per reader. This limit includes books, boards, bookplates, swag items, and similar materials.

While individual authors may choose to sign additional items at their discretion, we kindly ask attendees to respect the three-item limit to help preserve each author’s stamina throughout the event. This allows all readers to have equitable access and helps maintain smooth line flow during signings.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Barnes and Noble

Room Location: Azalea 1

Our Barnes & Noble Fairfax partners will be onsite with a pop-up bookstore featuring titles selected by attending ApollyCon authors. Please note that special editions will not be available through the pop-up shop.

Attendees should plan to bring their own special editions for signing or purchase them directly from author booths, if available.

Hours of Operation:

• Thursday, April 23 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Friday, April 24 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday, April 25  | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Parking

Self-Parking:

Standard Rate: $46 per day
ApollyCon Discount (30%): $32 per day

 Valet Parking:

Standard Rate: $70 per day
Oversized Vehicles (Over 9’) Rate: $80 per day

ADA valet parking available with a valid handicap placard at the self-parking rate.

Attendee Engagement

We invite attendees to visit the Messages of Love Booth in the Maryland Ballroom to leave a special message and share the love with our community.

Location: Maryland Ballroom Foyer

Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Attendee Mixer 

Kick off the weekend by connecting with fellow book lovers at our Attendee Mixer! This casual, high-energy gathering is the perfect way to meet new friends, reunite with familiar faces, and get excited for everything the weekend has in store. Come mingle, laugh, and start your convention experience on a high note! This is not a structured event but a social gathering.

Location: Maryland Ballroom

Time: 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Conversation with JR Ward and Jennifer L. Armentrout

Join two powerhouse authors, J.R. Ward and Jennifer L. Armentrout, for an unforgettable conversation exploring storytelling, fandom, and the journeys behind some of today’s most beloved series. From crafting unforgettable characters to navigating long-running worlds and passionate reader communities, this candid discussion offers rare insight into the creative process, career evolution, and what it takes to build stories that leave a lasting impact. Expect laughs, behind-the-scenes moments, and plenty of inspiration.

Open to Primal and Ascended ticket holders only.

Sponsored by:

 

Vendor Pre-Order Pick Up

Location: National Harbor 12

Time: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Attendees are encouraged to contact participating vendors in advance or check their social media channels to confirm whether pre-order pickup will be available. Please note that pre-order pickup is an optional service and not all vendors will offer this option.

Participating Vendors (Links to pre-order forms):

• The Bright Side Candles
• Lore & Whimsy
• Feather & Birch
• Art By Steffani
• FireDrake Artistry®

Welcome to the Capital

Location: Maryland Ballroom

Time: 6:30 - 9:30 PM

Join us for an immersive experience and an exciting live Q&A with bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout. This is the official kick-off event for Apollycon. Cosplay outfits are welcome.

Open to Primal and add-on ticket holders only.

8:00 - 8:55 AM Panels

Location: Chesapeake I

Plot Twist: Industry Panel

Moderator: Holly Renee

Panelists: C.M Nyx, Wendy Higgins, Mel Walker, Amy Briggs, KD Michaels, Olivia Wildenstein

Location: Chesapeake E

I Put the Dark in Dark Romance

Moderator: Lizzy Mason

Panelists: Cristina Lollabrigida, Isabel Lucero, Dawn Darling, J.R. Thorn

Location: Chesapeake D

Quills and Corsets: Love, Longing, and Life in Another Era

Moderator: Jamie Applegate Hunter

Panelists: C. M. Mason, Tessonja Odette, C M Nascosta, J.S. Living, Joanna Shupe

Location: National Harbor 14

A Court of Feels and Fantasy: Mental Health in Romantasy

Moderator: H.M. Duval

Panelists: S.C. Muir, Lauren M. Leasure, Sariah Wilson, E.M Leander, Stephanie Blaire

Location: National Harbor 15

Spells & Scones: The Magic of Cozy Fantasy

Moderator: Elizabeth Everett

Panelists: Amy Briggs, Jennifer Estep, April Asher, Ravyn Salvador, Steffanie Holmes

9:00 - 9:55 AM Panels

Location: National Harbor 14

Read, Feel, Heal: The Healing Power of Fiction

Moderator: JR Gray

Panelists: Tristen Crone, Amber Palmer, K.D. Michaels, Cristina Lollabrigida, Allie Shante

Location: Chesapeake E

Knot Without My Mate: Monster Romance

Moderator: Emma Hamm

Panelists: TC Kraven, Jennifer Chipman, Regine Abel, Jessica Winters

Location: Chesapeake I

Kiss Me, I'm Diverse

Moderator: Drethi A

Panelists: DJ Murphy, Steffani Holmes, Ambar Cordova, Mel Walker, Loren Sorensen

Location: Chesapeake L

Text Me, Maybe: Crushes, Connection, & YA Romance

Moderator: Jessie McCarty

Panelists: Jennifer Estep, Sadie Rose, Mary Ting, Tricia Levenseller

Location: National Harbor 15

Posting with Purpose: Beyond Likes, Toward Influence

Moderator: Jenny Whitney

Panelists: Dr. Smut, Amanda Mercedes, Fantastic Fiction, Graced with Books,Kylee Carlton

Location: National Harbor 10-11

Forged in Fire & Fate: Romantasy

Moderator: Gina Maxwell

Panelists: Rebecca Yarros, Morgan Gauthier, Jen L. Grey, Sariah Wilson, Amanda Bouchet, Stacia Stark

Location: Chesapeake J-K

I Want Them All: Why Choose

Moderator: Geneva Monroe

Panelists: Mo Flames, Elizabeth Helen, M. Sinclair, Abby Millsaps

10:00 - 10:55 AM Panels

Location: National Harbor 14

Breaking the Silence: Fighting Book Bans

Moderator: Elizabeth Everett

Panelists: Jennifer Lambert, CM Mason, Alexis Patton, JS Living

Location: Chesapeake K

Sinners & Soulmates: Falling for the Dark Side

Moderator: Kimberly Tobian 

Panelists: Isabel Lucero, Gina Maxwell, Cristina Lollabrigida, Dawn Darling, JR Thorn

Location: Chesapeake I

Ink-Stained Rainbows: Queer Romance

Moderator: JR Gray

Panelists: Tessa Kane, Onley James, Eskay Kabba, RL Davennor

Location: National Harbor 15

Hearts of Legend: Reimagining Timeless Tales

Moderator: Stephanie Blair

Panelists: CR Jane, Elizabeth Helen, Jane McGarry

Location: National Harbor 2-3

Horns, Hearts & HEA's: Monster Romance

Moderator: J.R. Ward

Panelists: Regine Abel, Kait Ballenger, Jenna Wolfhart, Kalista Neith, Juliette Cross, Lexi Foss, Emma Hamm

8:00 - 8:55 AM Panels

Location: Chesapeake D

Beneath the Petticoats

Moderator: Jamie Applegate Hunter

Panelists: Elizabeth Everett, Joanna Shupe

Location: National Harbor 10

Healing Is a Plotline: Pain, Progress, and Possibility

Moderator: Chelsea Conradt

Panelists: Nicole Platania, KD Michaels, Ambar Cordova, Tristen Crone

Location: Chesapeake K

A Love Like Ours: Queer Romance

Moderator: Sandy Rodriguez

Panelists: Kat Blackthorne, RL Davennor, Heather Nix, Isabel Lucero, Arsyn Quinn

Location: National Harbor 12

The Many Faces of Love: Diversity Panel

Moderator: Kalista Neith

Panelists: Laquette, Stephanie Mirro, Phoenix Williams, JS Living, Drethi A

Location: National Harbor 11

Moonlight, Mischief & Mating Calls: Where Romance Meets Fantasy

Moderator: Stephanie Blair

Panelists: Melissa Roehrich, Holly Renee, Elizabeth Helen, R.L. Caulder, Analeigh Sbrana, Amalie Howard

Location: National Harbor 13

Inhuman Attraction

Moderator: Tricia Levenseller

Panelists: Charlotte Swan, Rebecca F. Kenney, CD Reiss, Zoey Draven, Juliette Cross

Location: National Harbor 2-3

Hotties and Hellions, Monsters and Mages: A Gallery of Romance

Moderator: Carrie Feron

Panelists: J.R. Ward and Emma Hamm

Sponsored by:

9:00 - 9:55 AM Panels

Location: Chesapeake I

Whispers of Romance: Audio Narration

Moderator: Zura Johnson

Panelists: Ali Dane, Jennifer Estep, Jaclyn Kelso, Stefanie Kay

Location: National Harbor 12

Fangs, Feelings and Fu...r: Monster Romance

Moderator: Emma Hamm

Panelists: Arsyn Quinn, Regine Abel, Heather Nix, AN Caudle

Location: Chesapeake F

Pages and Peace: Balancing Life & Writing

Moderator: Stephanie Blair

Panelists: EM Leander, Magaidh Dunbroch, CM Nyx, Tif Marcelo, KD Michaels

Location: National Harbor 14

Whispers, Wants & Wickedness: The Art of Erotic Storytelling

Moderator: Geneva Monroe

Panelists: Eskay Kabba, Gina Maxwell, WS Greer, Petra Palerno

Location: National Harbor 11

Three’s Company, More’s a Party: Why Choose

Moderator: Kalista Neith

Panelists: Allie Shante, TC Kraven, Steffanie Holmes, Elizabeth Helen, RL Caulder

10:00 - 10:55 AM Panels

Location: National Harbor 12

Breaking the Silence: Banned Books, Brave Voices

Moderator: Shelby Levine

Panelists: Cristina Lollabridgida, CM Mason, Drethi A, Kalista Neith

Location: National Harbor 13

Twisted Hearts, Tangled Souls: Dark Romance

Moderator: JL Beers

Panelists: Mo Flames, CR Jane, Isabel Lucero, CM Nyx, Dawn Darling, Lexi Foss

Location: Chesapeake I

The Beauty of Different Loves: Celebrating Disability and Neurodivergent Love

Moderator: Heather Nix

Panelists: Ambar Cordova, SC Muir, Rachel Rener, Onley James, Jennifer Bonds

Location: Chesapeake J

Chapter One: I Think I Like You — A YA Romance Panel

Moderator: Casey Bond

Panelists: Theresa Kay, Jane McGarry, Roseanne Brown

Location: National Harbor 2-3

Q&A With J.R. Ward

Moderator: LeElla Scott

Sponsored by:

Location: National Harbor 10

Trigger Warnings: Handle with Care

Moderator: JR Gray

Panelists: Rayvn Salvador, Stephanie Mirro, Phoenix Williams, Dakota Wilde, Avelyn Paige, CD Reiss

Jennifer L. Armentrout, JR Ward, and Rebecca Yarros
wristbands will be available for pick-up at the registration desk. All other wristbands will be distributed at the ticketed author's line. 

 

This list is subject to change.

AMANDA BOUCHET
BRYNNE WEAVER
CHARISSA WEAKS
CHLOE C PEÑARANDA
CM NASCOSTA
DANIELLE L. JENSEN
ELISE KOVA
ELIZABETH HELEN
EMMA HAMM
GENEVA MONROE
HOLLY RENEE
J R WARD
JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT
JULIETTE CROSS
K.A. KNIGHT
KALISTA NEITH
MELISSA K. ROEHRICH
MIRANDA LYNN
NIKKI ST. CROWE
OLIVIA WILDENSTEIN
PENN COLE
REBECCA YARROS
STACIA STARK
ZOEY DRAVEN

Event sign-ups will be available on a revolving basis. Check back often.

Thursday, April 23

Location: Azalea 2

Time: (By Appointment Only)

Tattoo Artists 

Elva:

• 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
• Lunch 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
• 1:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Rachel:

• 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Location: National Harbor 14-15

Time: 3:00 - 5:30 PM

Podium Entertainment Sponsored Event
Author and Narrator Invitation Only

Sponsored by:

Location: National Harbor 12-13

Time: 9:00 - 11:00 PM

Books & Treats with Berkley | ✎𓂃 Sign Up Here

Sponsored by:

 

Friday, April 24

Location: Azalea 2

Time: (By Appointment Only)

Tattoo Artists

Elva:

• 9:00 am - 12:40 pm
• Lunch 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
• 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 
• Break 5:00 - 5:30 pm
• 5:30 - 7:30 pm   

Rachel:

• 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

Location: Chesapeake G-H

Time: TBD

Sword Fighting Demo

Location: National Harbor 12-13

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Fox Friday Live! | ✎𓂃 Sign Up Here

Sponsored by:

Xio Axelrod, Tif Marcelo, April Asher, and CD Reiss

Location: Exhibit Hall A

Time: 6:30 - 9:30 PM

Mystic Box/Arcane Society Shopping Event

Open to all ticket tiers

Sponsored by:

  

Location: National Harbor 2-3

Time: 9:00 - 11:00 PM | ✎𓂃 Sign Up Here

Sponsored by:

 

Location: National Harbor 10-11

Time: 9:00 - 11:00 PM

Harper Collins MIRA Event | ✎𓂃 Sign Up Here

Sponsored by:

 

Location: Maryland Ballroom Pre-Function Area

Time: 9:00 - 11:00 PM

TOR/Bramble Event | ✎𓂃 Sign Up Here

Sponsored by:

 

Saturday, April 25

Location: Azalea 2

Time: (By Appointment Only)

Tattoo Artists

Elva:

• 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Break 2:00 - 2:30 pm
• 2:30 - 5:30 pm

Rachel:

• 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  
  

Location: Chesapeake G-H

Time: TBD

Sword Fighting Demo

Location: Maryland Ball Room

Time: 10:00 PM to Midnight

After Party: Villain's Ball
Open to Primal and Ascended Only. Cosplay outfits are welcome.

Close out ApollyCon 2026 in unforgettable style at The Villain’s Ball! Join us for a night of music, dancing, and immersive fun as the ballroom transforms into a realm of dark glamour and dramatic flair. Dress to impress as your favorite book villain or iconic character and get ready to celebrate with fellow readers, authors, and friends in a night filled with magic, mischief, and memories you won’t forget.

Sunday, April 26

This event is open to Brunch ticket-holders only

Location: Riverview B/4-5

Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Conversation with Rebecca Yarros and Jennifer L. Armentrout
Ticketed attendees only.

Brunch just got legendary. Join Rebecca Yarros and Jennifer L. Armentrout for a one-of-a-kind brunch event packed with fandom excitement, exclusive conversation, and behind-the-scenes storytelling. Enjoy a delicious meal while soaking in insights from Rebecca Yarros whose books have taken the romance and fantasy world by storm. 

 

Sponsored by:

Click the image to access the most updated pre-order listings

 

We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of our ApollyCon sponsors. Without their partnership, this event would not be the engaging, fun, and interactive experience our readers love. Please take a moment to visit their websites and show them some love and support!

 

Click on the images to visit our sponsor websites

Champion Tier

	C.L. BRIAR
CHARISSA WEAKS
HEATHER HILDENBRAND

                

Hero Tier

R.L. CAULDER | M. SINCLAIR
XIO AXELROD

                

Elite Guard Tier

 

Mythic Tier