April 18–19, 2026 · Tacoma, WA
Lore & Luster · Discover Fantasy & Romance Today
Two days of immersive romantasy magic at The Tacoma Armory, culminating in the sold-out Romantasy Ball at The Press Room. Explore curated vendors, meet indie authors, and step into story worlds built for dreamers.
Weekend at a Glance
Two locations, endless magic. Plan your journey with the high-level run of show.
Market + Workshops + Cosplay Prelims
- 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM · Vendor & Author setup.
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Vendor & Author Market (Parade Room Floor).
- 12:00 PM · Cosplay Contest preliminaries on the Parade Room stage.
- 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM · Indie Author Panel: Self-Publishing How-To (Main Stage).
- 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM · Indie Author Panel: Worldbuilding (Main Stage).
Signings + Finals + Romantasy Ball
- 10:00 AM · Convention opens.
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM · Cosplay Finals (broadcast across the marketplace).
- 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM · Indie Author Signing – Romance (Main Stage).
- 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM · Indie Author Signing – Fantasy (Main Stage).
- 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Sensory-Friendly Shopping Hour.
- 8:00 PM – Midnight · Romantasy Ball at The Press Room (5 min from Armory).
Key Locations & Tools
The Tacoma Armory
1001 S Yakima Way, Tacoma WA · Main Stage + Parade Room Floor.
Panels, workshops, cosplay programming, author & vendor market, ADA seating directly in front of the stage.
The Press Room
704 Opera Alley, Tacoma WA · 5 minutes from the Armory.
Hosts the Romantasy Ball finale with VIP-only lounge, bar, photo sets, take-home live portraits, and 8–10 PM vendor pop-ups.
Interactive Map (Coming Soon)
The map page currently serves as a placeholder. Floorplans and legends will be released there ahead of the show.
Interactive Map Page →Romantasy Ball · Sunday, April 19 · 8 PM – Midnight
Woodland faerie couture, themed cocktails, live character encounters, and a romantic finale at The Press Room.
VIP Exclusives
VIP guests enjoy live guest portrait sessions they can take home, a VIP-only bar, private photo ops, and a moss-draped lounge sanctuary.
Complimentary Drink Ticket
Every attendee receives one drink ticket at check-in—redeemable for any signature pour or zero-proof elixir.
Curated Vendors
Three artisan vendors present limited wares between 8:00–10:00 PM inside the Ball.
Character Encounters
Meet lorekeepers, guardians, and royals for immersive photo moments and story clues throughout the night.
Cosplay Contest · Sign Up Now
Participation is free with your weekend pass, but advance registration is required. Prelims run April 18 at noon; finals on April 19 at noon.
Rules & Eligibility
- Must hold a Lore & Luster weekend pass.
- Costumes must remain PG-13; no live steel, projectiles, or fire.
- Original characters are welcome (provide a short description).
- Performance window: 60 seconds unless pre-approved.
- Pre-judging may occur; watch your confirmation email.
Character actors and hired staff are ineligible.
Prizes & Flow
- ✨ Enchanted Spotlight · Grand Prize ($100 shopping spree).
- 🌹 Court Favorite · Audience Choice (grab bag).
- 🧵 Thread & Thorn · Craftsmanship pick (grab bag).
- Prelims use crowd applause voting to advance 10–12 finalists.
- Finals feature another walk/pose; winners crowned Sunday.
Festival Experiences
Browse programming pillars and jump straight to the pages you need.
Attending Authors
Panels, signings, and intimate craft chats with romantasy favorites.
Meet the Authors →Attending Vendors
Bookish artisans, fandom fashion, candles, jewelry, and more.
Vendor Directory →Attending Industry
Agents, editors, and media pros offering office hours and panels.
Industry Guests →Character Actors
Immersive meet-and-greets with Lore & Luster personas.
Character Roster →Applications
Interested in hosting a panel or submitting a workshop? Apply here.
Application Portal →Tickets & FAQ
Need details on remaining badge types or policies?
FAQ →Lore & Luster 2027 · Tacoma Convention Center
Lore & Luster returns April 10–11, 2027 at the Tacoma Convention Center—bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever.
The Experience
- Author programming with bestselling and indie romantasy voices.
- Curated vendor market with expanded booth space.
- The Romantasy Ball returns as an elegant Masquerade.
Get First Access
- 2027 Vendor Interest Form.
- 2027 Author Interest Form.
- Hotel block at the Downtown Tacoma Marriott.
- Early ticket alerts and announcements.
Get Involved
Cosplay Contest
Bring your best romantasy armor or ballgown to the stage.
Sign Up →Volunteer & Applications
Support the convention, host panels, or lend your skills behind the scenes.
Apply Now →Sponsorships
Align your brand with a romantasy-forward audience of readers, makers, and dreamers.
View Sponsorship Info →Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that Lore & Luster and the City of Tacoma operate on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, part of the Coast Salish peoples who have cared for the lands and waters around Commencement Bay since time immemorial. We honor their enduring relationship with this place and encourage all who visit to learn about and support local Indigenous communities.
Contact: loreandluster@shelfindulgence.store · Subsidiary of Shelf Indulgence LLC
