Free BAM Festival with books, art & music in West Palm Beach, April 11

The Books, Arts & Music (BAM) Festival is once again coming to the Mandel Public Library in West Palm Beach.

BAM Festival: Saturday, April 11, 2026

• When: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Activities will take place inside and outside, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, 411 Clematis St.
• Cost: Attendance and browsing are free.

This event not only encourages kids to read and meet some of their favorite authors, but it also provides opportunities for them to get involved in writing, drawing and expressing themselves.

BAM Festival is a free festival celebrating books, art, and music by bringing award-winning authors and illustrators to interact directly with the community. 

BAM provides a literary experience for all ages to share their love of books with bestselling authors and illustrators. Activities include book signings, author readings, literary workshops, illustrator demonstrations and activities, live music, street chalk drawing, and more. For more information, details and scheduled events, visit bamwpb.org.

BAM! Festival 2026 schedule

Saturday, April 11

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. BAM! Festival (ongoing activities)

• Book sales featuring works by festival authors and illustrators
• Opportunities for book signings
• Interactive community mural with local artist Craig McInnis, where guests can help paint a collaborative artwork

Main Stage Events

10 a.m. Illustrator Smackdown
Live drawing competition featuring festival illustrators

11 a.m. Hidden Truths and Twisty Tales
Panel discussion with featured authors exploring suspense, secrets and unexpected turns in storytelling

12 p.m. Author signings + meet-and-greets (various locations)

1 p.m. Spaces Between: Stories of Change
Authors discuss transformation, identity and pivotal life moments in fiction and nonfiction

2 p.m. Monsters, Magic, and Moral Gray Areas
A genre-focused panel diving into fantasy, horror and complex characters

3 p.m. Closing sessions, final signings and festival wrap-up activities

Additional programming (throughout the day)

Author & illustrator sessions

• Multiple author readings and discussions scheduled throughout the library spaces
• Illustrator showcases and live demonstrations

Kids & family activities

• Storytimes and interactive readings
• Hands-on crafts and creative stations
• Youth-focused author appearances

Art experiences

• Live art creation and demonstrations
• Community mural participation
• Visual arts displays

Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, 411 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. 561-822-1515.

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