The Friends Book Ball
An Evening of Books, Costumes & Community
🎟️ Tickets: $125 per person (This event is 18+)
📅 February 21, 2026
⏰ 6:00–10:00 PM
📍 The Lighthouse Knoxville
6800 Baum Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919
Join Friends of the Knox County Public Library for a magical, in-person Book Ball celebrating stories, creativity, and community—all in support of library programs for all ages.
✨ Costumes encouraged!
Come dressed as your favorite book character or in a literary-inspired look. Whimsical, classic, or creative—bring your favorite story to life!
Your ticket includes:
-
DJ and dancing by DJ Legendary
-
Book-themed photo backdrops
-
Hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages
-
Cash bar featuring book-themed cocktails / mocktails
Enjoy an evening of fun, photos, and fellowship with fellow book lovers while helping support the Knox County Public Library’s programs throughout the year.
📚 Proceeds benefit the Knox County Public Library
Stay Home & Read: A Book Ball for Every Book Lover
Can’t make it to the Book Ball in person? You can still be part of the magic. Our Stay Home and Read a Book Ball invites you to celebrate in the coziest way possible—by curling up with a great book at home.
We ask that you consider donating what you might have spent on a night out—dinner, babysitting, or tickets—and turn that evening into a meaningful gift that supports the Knox County Public Library. Your generosity helps fund programs, resources, and opportunities that inspire readers of all ages throughout our community.
Stay Home & Read Giving Levels
-
$50 – Cozy Chapter
A quiet night in with a good book and a big impact. -
$75 – Bedtime Bestseller
The cost of dinner out—turned into support for literacy and learning. -
$100 – Storytime Soirée
A full night out redirected to strengthen library programs. -
$125 – Book Ball at Home
Match the in-person ticket price and celebrate from your couch. -
$250+ – The Whole Collection
For those who want to make their night in truly unforgettable for our community.
We’d love to celebrate with you from afar! Take photos of your at-home Book Ball—your reading nook, pajamas, pets, or favorite book—and send them to info@knoxfriends.org so we can share in the fun.
Dress code: pajamas encouraged. Dancing optional. Impact guaranteed. 📚✨
The 2025 Stay Home and Read a Book Ball raised over $7,800 for the Children’s Festival of Reading. Union Ave Books was the sponsor for the 2025 Book Ball.
The 2024 Stay Home and Read a Book Ball raised over $6,500 for the Children’s Festival of Reading. Union Ave Books was the sponsor for the 2024 book ball.
The 2023 Stay Home and Read a Book Ball raised over $5,800 for Knox County Public Library’s Storybook Trails, enough to outfit an entire trail with new story panels. Union Ave Books was the sponsor for the 2023 book ball.
The 2022 book ball raised more than $8,900 for Author Events, and the 2021 book ball raised over $17,000 for the library to purchase more e-books and audiobooks. Sponsors for both the 2022 and 2021 book balls were the Knox County Public Library, the Knox County Public Library Foundation, Union Ave Books, and Libacious.