A zine fest (short for magazine festival) is a celebration of DIY creativity, independent publishing, and grassroots art. It is a community-focused event where creators share and sell zines, self-published booklets that can include comics, illustrations, photography, essays, poetry, fan works, personal stories, and experimental art.

Zine fests are typically welcoming, low-pressure spaces that encourage self-expression, collaboration, and discovery. You will often find artists, writers, and fans trading ideas, supporting each other’s work, and connecting over shared interests. Whether you are a long-time creator or completely new to zines, a zine fest is about creativity, passion, and making something by hand and on your own terms.