I don’t know about you, but if someone tells me there’s a chance to waltz through a candlelit ballroom in a velvet gown, exchanging knowing glances with a Rhysand lookalike while “Fur Elise” melts into a violin cover of Taylor Swift, I’m already halfway into my stilettos.
Welcome to the world of Romantasy Balls: magical, glitter-soaked soirées that feel like stepping straight into the pages of your favorite fantasy romance.
This isn’t your local cosplay con with cardboard swords and plastic fairy wings. Romantasy Balls are immersive, high-drama, BookTok-fueled fever dreams. They’re where fantasy readers go to actually live the books that have ruined them for real-life men. Yes, I’m talking about the ones with bat wings, mysterious scars, and a tragic backstory. These events blur the line between fiction and reality in a way that makes your book hangover feel like the beginning of an era.
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From Page To Ballroom: Why Fantasy Fans Are Dressing Up And Dancing Until Dawn
So what are Romantasy Balls, really? Think Bridgerton meets ACOTAR, seasoned with just a touch of Fyre Festival drama.
They’re fantasy-themed social events held in rented castles, grand hotels, or even atmospheric museums, designed for fans of the romantasy genre. A blend of romance and fantasy that BookTok has absolutely devoured. Attendees show up in their finest fae court regalia, glide across ballrooms under chandeliers, and lock eyes with strangers who just might be their fictional soulmate IRL.
But it’s not just about the dresses and the dancing.
These balls create an immersive environment where every glittering corner is designed to evoke the worlds readers love. One minute you’re sipping sparkling cider beside a velvet-draped throne, the next you’re deciphering ancient runes in a shadowy corner library.
It’s the kind of night that makes your Pinterest board look lazy. And somewhere between the third waltz and the themed cocktail named after your OTP, you realize you’re no longer just a reader. You’re a character.
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Of course, none of this would exist without BookTok. The very concept of Romantasy Balls was born in the algorithmic embrace of TikTok’s bookish corners, where dreamy aesthetics and character thirst traps flourish.
What began as a few viral videos has morphed into a phenomenon, with tickets to these events selling out in hours, sometimes even minutes. The fantasy faithful (queens, kings, and everything in between) are showing up, decked out in bejeweled corsets, horned crowns, and morally grey eyeliner.
There’s something deeply right about this moment. For once, being obsessed with fictional worlds isn’t something you do in private with your Kindle and a bottle of merlot. It’s public, it’s proud, and it’s performed with the flair of a Feyre archery montage. BookTok didn’t just inspire these balls: it normalized the idea that fantasy readers deserve to be the main character in real life, too. And honestly? It’s about time.
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@andinabadri My first romantasy ball at Paravelle #booktok #fairy #highcourt #fantasy #fantasyball @paravelleball ♬ Nourishing Light – MaxTracks & Innonsense & Sheidideya
Now let’s talk about the fits.
Romantasy Balls are not a “throw on your Ren Faire dress and hope for the best” situation. These events are where fashion and fantasy collide with unapologetic sparkle. Custom gowns, corsetry, glitter-drenched wings, dragon-scale capes, this is your moment to go full Night Court chic. I’ve seen attendees wear handmade armor embossed with book quotes. I’ve seen thigh-high boots that scream “villain love interest”. I’ve seen horns. Literal horns.
More than just fashion statements, these costumes are a love letter to the stories that changed us. Dressing up isn’t just about aesthetics: it’s about embodying the characters who gave us permission to be bold, to love wildly, and to exist beyond the ordinary. When you walk into that ballroom, you’re not just you anymore. You’re part of the story.
Not All That Glitters: When The Ball Turns Into A Pumpkin
As with any fairy tale, not everything is as perfect as it seems. Some Romantasy Balls have made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Overpriced tickets, poor organization, and unmet expectations have left some attendees feeling more “tragic heroine” than “enchanted queen”.
There have been events promising feasts and immersive quests that delivered lukewarm finger foods and a Spotify playlist.
But for many, the magic is worth the risk. Even when things go wrong, there’s a shared understanding among attendees: we’re here because we love these stories. And the beauty of the romantasy community is how quickly fans turn disappointment into memes, reviews, and calls for better events in the future.
Like any growing fandom trend, it’s finding its footing and learning how to serve a very passionate (and very discerning) audience.
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Will I See You At The Next One? (Spoiler: Yes)
@rosecityromance The Rose City Romance fantasy ball was a magical night. We had authors, readers, vendors and cosplayers coming together to have a magical night of dancing and fun. Join us again next year when we make it twice as exciting as the last! 🌹 @Victor Rahl was a special guest joining us as Cassian for the night. #rosecityromance #bookevent #romancebooks #romancebooktok #fantasyevent #fantasyball #bookcommunity ♬ This Is the Beginning – Ely Eira
Here’s the thing: Romantasy Balls are not just events. They’re a cultural moment. A love letter to the books that built us. A glittering rebellion against the mundane. And if you’ve ever swooned over a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc or whispered “just one more chapter” at 3am, this is your sign to grab a ticket and join the dance.
So dust off your crown. Practice your smolder. Learn the difference between a fae bow and a royal curtsy. Because this summer, fantasy isn’t just for your bookshelf: it’s for the dance floor. And trust me, nothing feels quite as powerful as twirling beneath a chandelier in a dress that says, “I read Fourth Wing and I survived.”.
To the next ball, my fellow dreamer!
