Not so long ago, we were mourning the disappearance of the book shop. In their place, book fairs are popping up. Between now and the end of December, twenty of them are scheduled. They fall into two categories: Trade Association sponsored and Non-Membership Fairs (Open Application) by Independent Promoters.
Out of the 20 listed fairs, 8 do not require membership in a trade association (like ABAA, ILAB, PBFA, or NVvA) to be an exhibitor.
Let's start with the dealer association fares.
Membership-Required Fairs (Sanctioned / Restricted) — 12 Fairs
These fairs strictly require exhibitors to be vetted members of national or international trade associations (such as the ABAA, ILAB, NVvA, SLAM, or PBFA):
Amsterdam Fine & Rare Book Fair (Requires ILAB / NVvA membership)
Sydney Rare Book Fair (Requires ANZAAB / ILAB membership)
Milan Antiquarian Book Fair (Requires ALAI / ILAB membership)
Chelsea Rare Book Fair (Requires ABA / ILAB membership)
48th Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair (Requires ABAA / ILAB membership)
54th Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair (Requires ABAC / ILAB membership)
ABAA Virtual Book Fair: Autumn / Boston Edition (Requires ABAA / ILAB membership)
Buch Wien Antiquariatsstand (Requires ABA / ILAB membership)
Madrid Rare Book Fair (Requires AILA / ILAB membership)
Salon International du Livre Rare & des Arts Graphiques (Requires SLAM / ILAB membership)
FIRSTS Hong Kong (Requires ILAB-affiliated membership)
Brooklyn Rare Book Fair (Produced in partnership with ABAA / ILAB-affiliated dealers)
Here are the Non-Membership Fairs (Open Application / by Independent Promoters) — 8 Fairs
These shows are open to independent dealers, collectors, and paper merchants subject to booth, table or counter availability, without requiring membership in a trade organization:
Allentown Paper Show (Allentown, PA) — Regional independent show open to all paper/ephemera dealers.
Rare Books Union Station / Rare Books LA (Los Angeles, CA) — Independently produced show open to non-ABAA/ILAB dealers.
Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair (Ann Arbor, MI) — Open to independent regional booksellers.
Fort Worth Antiquarian Book Fair (Fort Worth, TX) — Independently promoted regional book and paper fair.
Mid-Atlantic Paper & Ephemera Fair (Dover, DE) — Regional ephemera/paper show open to all vendor applicants.
Northampton Antiquarian Book, Ephemera, and Book Arts Fair (Northampton, MA) — Features a mix of association members, independent booksellers, and local book artists.
London December Antiquarian & Ephemera Fair (London, UK) — Open entry fair targeting independent dealers and collectors.
Holiday Paper & Collectibles Show (New England) — Regional collectible paper and vintage item show open to general exhibitors.
If you're looking for a book fair, you shouldn't have to wait long or drive far.
