Once Upon a Con FAQ’s

Join us for the nation’s first fantasy book convention: Once Upon A Con – Fall Into Fantasy✨ Immerse yourself in your favorite bookish worlds with over 100 vendors and guest authors, exciting panels and workshops, our own Starfall Masquerade and High Fantasy Fashion Show. Dress to impress for the first book-centered cosplay competition, make new friends with over a dozen cosplay meetups, and so much more!

A book convention is a hybrid event combining the length and immersive nature of an anime convention with the fantasy worlds, events and activities the fantasy fandom is obsessed with. It’s an opportunity to step away from the normal every day for an extended weekend to meet new friends, shop from fantasy vendors, learn and experience new things in panels and workshops and live your best fantasy life at dances, balls, tabletop gaming rooms, and formal dinners.

August 14 – 17, 2025 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD, near Washington D.C.

This event is for all ages. The only caveat is that there will be 18+ events that require a wristband to attend, and 21+ wristbands for alcohol purchases. Children ages 6 and under receive free admission.

VIP: $200 (sold out)

General Admission: $125

Your ticket provides you access to all the Once Upon a Con events, space allowing. The only extra charge is for the Inner Circle private photo event.

• Access to all event spaces
• Access to the marketplace the entire time it’s open
• Access to choose which Starfall Masquerade you would like to attend (More info and FAQ’s HERE)
• Access to all panels (space allowing)
• Access to all workshops (space allowing, these typically require preregistration because materials are used during the workshop)
• Access to special events like fandom meetups, 18+ booktok burlesque, autograph sessions and meet and greets
• Access to the high fantasy fashion show (RSVP exclusive event – must RSVP at checkout. More info and FAQ’s HERE)
• Access to table top gaming room
• Access to The War Room
• Access to watch or participate in book-centered cosplay competition
• Access to the CaFae
• Opportunity to purchase specialty themed drinks at local bars and restaurants

Everything from the general admission ticket plus:

• Early access and shopping in the vendor hall
• VIP formal dinner
• VIP meet and greet and photos with the Inner Circle
• Access to private vip lounge (only closed 1 hour prior to formal dinner to allow inner court time for photos and getting ready)
• Specialty priority seating for events and separate lines for VIP attendees (to cut the line)
• A book themed VIP specialty swag box with tons of goodies
• Private, exclusive vendor shopping for items only available to VIPs
• Priority access to our reserved hotel block at the Marriott

Monday, July 1, 2024 at 6:00pm EST.

You can purchase your tickets HERE

Consent Badges are designed to allow you the maximum control over your experience.

These come in 3 colors:

• Green – you are open to hugs and handshakes
• Yellow – You are open to handshakes / fistbumps / light contact
• Red – You do not want to touch anyone, and request that people do not ask to touch you.

You have the control to swap the badges depending on your social battery. These badges will be reiterated multiple times before and at the convention.

June of 2025. It is typical of conventions to not release the final schedule until closer to the event as there are many moving pieces. However, we are working on a general overview of schedule expectations to help clarify what to expect during the convention weekend.

Yes! We will release an app prior to the convention where you can see our entire live schedule, customize your itinerary, and get updates on events happening around the convention.

There is no dress code for the event as a whole, attendees are welcome to wear anything from onesies and street clothes to wearing only ball gowns and crowns or full armour. The formal dinner is formal attire and the Starfall Masquerade’s are also formal attire. Anyone and everyone is welcome to cosplay at any level they would like and we have a zero tolerance policy for slut shaming, sexual harassment, verbal or physical abuse of any kind, and those violating those rules will be removed from the con.

Once Upon a Con is welcoming to individuals of all abilities and is a fully accessible event. We are dedicated to continually improving our efforts to ensure full access and we encourage all feedback and suggestions in order to improve your experience. ADA stickers to individuals who may have mobility, physical, vision, hearing, cognitive, psychological, or any other type of disabilities that may not be visible. These stickers may be picked up on site only (no application necessary) at the ADA Desk at Registration.  An ADA sticker identifies you to Staff, Crew, and Security and indicates that you may need additional assistance.

Please note that the ADA sticker does not provide admission, you must have a valid ticket to attend our event.

**ADA stickers are for the use of one individual only throughout the course of OUaC3. ADA stickers cannot be redistributed, resold, or reallocated. Failure to comply with this will result in revocation of your ticket without refund and the inability to attend future ReedPop events.**

We provide priority seating for fans with disabilities as available. All seating for panels and screenings are on a first-come, first-served basis and we cannot guarantee seating for everyone.

Guests with disabilities should plan to arrive to a panel at least 30 minutes prior to the event so that we can best accommodate you. Keep in mind that all of our events are very popular and we will make every effort to help you access the panels that are important to you.

You can get a refund up to 60 days before the event. After that, you can transfer or sell your ticket to anyone who was unable to get in.