There are two things bookish people love most in this world: books and experiencing their favorite book in real life. If you can relate, this article has got you covered. Read on to see what bookish destination you should visit next!
Jane Austen Festival
This festival begins with a Regency costume walk through the streets of Bath, which officially holds the Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest gathering of people dressed in Regency costumes.’ Over the course of 10 days, you can go to costumed balls, theatrical performances, and talks, all revolving around Jane Austen! Tickets range in price from £13-£95.
Location: Bath, England
Dates: September 13-22, 2024
The Charles Dickens Christmas Carol Walk
The London Walking Tour will take you through the streets of London, exactly where the scenes of A Christmas Carol unfold. Guided by a person dressed in Victorian attire (because why not?), the tour around London lasts less than two hours and only costs £15. If Charles Dickens maybe isn’t your thing, check out The London Walking Tour’s website. They have everything from Jack the Ripper to Shakespeare walking tours.
Location: London, England
Dates: December 7-29, 2024
Yule Ball: A Winter Celebration
Let’s be honest, we all wanted to go to the Yule Ball the first time we heard of it. Well, now you can! Complete with Hogwarts-inspired decor, live performances, and delicious wizard food, this ball is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The event is not associated with Harry Potter or J.K. Rowling in any way, and the organization stresses that they are a queer-owned company that does not tolerate any form of transphobia — all the more reason to go! Tickets range from $185-$315.
Location: San Francisco, California
Dates: December 14-15th, 2024
Lady Whistledown’s Ball: A Bridgerton Affair
If you are the type of person who would spend your Saturday dancing around a ballroom in Regency attire, listening to live period music, then this is the event for you. Eat authentic finger foods of the era, visit the gaming salon, and gossip all night long. If interested, they even have dance lessons for the month leading up to the ball. Tickets range in price from $75-$90, and you can rent your costume through their website.
Location: Smyrna, Georgia
Date: November 2, 2024
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours
Did you guys know you can actually tour the Hobbit movie set in New Zealand? You can live out your cottage-core fantasies on a tour through the Shire. They also have special events throughout the year, like a Summer Harvest Festival and a Christmas celebration. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can eat like a Hobbit at the Green Dragon Inn! Prices range anywhere from $100-$4000.
Location: Matamata, New Zealand
Diagon Alley/Hogsmeade, Universal Studios Orlando/Hollywood
Anyone who has gone to Universal Studios Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade knows firsthand how incredible these places are. If you are a fan of Harry Potter, you will get emotional seeing the shops for the first time. If you’re a rollercoaster enthusiast, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventures over in Hogsmeade is the best one I’ve ever been on, especially at night. And if you aren’t as into that whole thrill-ride thing, you will get just as much enjoyment from perusing the shops. The level of detail is insane, and you will feel like you’re actually at Hogwarts with a butterbeer in hand, performing spells with your wand. Truly a magical experience that everyone should get the chance to participate in.
Location: Orlando, Florida
No matter what your bookish interests are, there is an experience out there for you. Have you been to any of these places? Let us know on our socials!
Interested in seeing what other bookish locations you can visit? Click here!
Thinking about which book you should read next? Check out these books releasing in the fall!
