Just as there are no limits to fandom with an amazing breadth and scale of stories to fall in love with, there are no limits to the places to explore that fandom alongside your nerd herd, or geek tribe of choice.
For the better part of a decade, and at least the past six years, I have worked as a nerd-gone-pro, speaker, host, and moderator at up to two dozen cons annually across the country, and the globe. Suffice to say, I know and love the con scene. While there are staples to most pop culture events—celebrity signings, photo ops, cosplayers, t-shirt and toy vendors, after parties and hopefully an endless selection of comics—each town has a unique vibe due to eclectic bunch of attendees.
It is a Galactus-sized task to list every single con during the year, but with this initial list – which will be updated frequently – I am setting out to catalogue notable events I either know and love, or the ones I want to get to.
Join me for the beginning of this epic fantripping excursion to some of the best cons out there.
MARCH 2020
Supernatural Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 5-8, 2020
Find more info about Supernatural Las Vegas here.
Wizard World Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
March 6-8, 2020
Find more info about Wizard World Cleveland here.
Fandom Legacy Con
Dallas, Texas
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Find more info about Fandom Legacy Con here.
ClarksvilleCon
Clarksville, Tennessee
March 7, 2020
Find more info about ClarksvilleCon here.
MY-CON
Orlando, Florida
Find more info about My-Con here.
Emerald City Comic Con
Seattle, Washington
March 12-15, 2020
The unique vibe of ECCC can be appreciated just from the site banner that features an animated Seattle skyline populated by a flying saucer, witch, kaiju, dragon, UFO, and sasquatch. This is definitely a Seattle event imbued with the spirit of the city. However, it’s an impressive con amongst cons with a roster of comic book and literary talent (including Chris Claremont, Jim Lee, Jody Houser, Babs Tarr, Delilah Dawson, Max Brooks, Terry Brooks) and actors (Star Trek: Picard’s Isa Briones, Matt Smith, Karen Gillan).
Find more info about Emerald City Comic Con here.
All-Con
Addison, Texas
Find more info about All-Con here.
Louisiana Comic Con
Lafayette, Louisiana
March 14-15, 2020
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Find more info about Louisiana Comic Con here.
Toronto Comicon
Toronto, Ontario
March 20-22, 2020
Find more info about Toronto Comicon here.
Planet ComiCon
Kansas City, Missouri
Find more info about Planet ComiCon here.
Collective Con
Jacksonville, Florida
Find more info about Collective Con here.
San Diego Rocket Con
San Diego, California
March 21-22, 2020
Find more info about San Diego Rocket Con here.
Fan Expo Dallas
March 27-29, 2020
In addition to a Lord of the Rings hobbits reunion (with Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd), Dallas is bringing comedy legend John Cleese from Monty Python, Brendan Fraser, The Punisher’s Jon Bernthal, and a whole lot of The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earth heroes led by Stephen Amell, Caity Lotz, and Brandon Routh. Also? Christina Ricci!
Find more info about Fan Expo Dallas here.
New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Find more info about New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival here.
SC Comicon
Greenville, South Carolina
March 28-29, 2020
Find more info about SC Comicon here.
APRIL 2020
The Great Philadelphia Comic Con
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 3-5, 2020
Find more info about The Great Philadelphia Comic Con here.
Big Apple Comic Con
New York, New York
April 4-5, 2020
Find more info about Big Apple Comic Con here.
StrangerCon
Los Angeles, California
Find more info about StrangerCon here.
WonderCon
Anaheim, California
April 10-12, 2020
WonderCon is part of the Comic-Con International family, but while it’s the slightly smaller sibling of SDCC, this Anaheim show is not a lesser event. Rather, WonderCon brings a strong comic book game while also emerging as another notable destination for movie and television reveals. Plus it ranks high as an excellent cosplay destination with the always impressive Saturday-night Masquerade.
Find more info about WonderCon here.
Indiana Comic Convention
Indianapolis, Indiana
Find more info about Indiana Comic Convention here.
Conapalooza
Kingsport, Tennessee
April 11, 2020
Find more info about Conapalooza here.
Megacon Orlando
April 16-19, 2020
It is no small feat to for a con to make a name in a town dominated by Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando theme parks, but MegaCon does just that by drawing more than 100,000 attendees each year. Part of the Fan Expo HQ event family, this year’s MegaCon touts an impressive roster. Highlights this year include a reunion of the Lord of the Rings hobbits (Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd), as well as George Takei, Brendan Fraser, and many of the cast from The Office.
Find more info about Megacon Orlando here.
Supernatural Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
April 17-19, 2020
Find more info about Supernatural Nashville here.
El Paso Comic Con
El Paso, Texas
Find more info about El Paso Comic Con here.
Fan Fest Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
April 18-19, 2020
Find more info about Fan Fest Chicago here.
Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo
Huntsville, Alabama
Find more info about Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo here.
Calgary Expo
Calgary, Alberta
April 23-26, 2020
Find more info about Calgary Expo here.
iMagicon
Minot, South Dakota
April 24-26, 2020
Find more info about iMagicon here.
MAY 2020
Awesome Con
Washington, DC
May 1-3, 2020
Find more info about Awesome Con here.
Visioncon
Branson, Missouri
Find more info about Visioncon here.
Metrotham Con
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Find more info about Metrotham Con here.
Salute to Lucifer
May 2-3, 2020
Season 4 of Lucifer premiered on Netflix in May 2019 and ended with a “hellish” cliffhanger, and there is more to come with the upcoming fifth, and final, season. To celebrate Lucifer Morningstar’s next outing on Netflix,
Tom Ellis, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Aimee Garcia, Rachael Harris — with more guests on the way — are joining for a two-day convention filled with guest panels, photo ops, autograph signings, karaoke fun and more.
Find more info about Salute to Lucifer here.
Saratoga Comic Con
Saratoga Springs, New York
Find more info about Saratoga Comic Con here.
Florida Supercon
Miami Beach, Florida
May 8-10, 2020
Find more info about Florida Supercon here.
Anime Frontier
Fort Worth, Texas
Find more info about Anime Frontier here.
Lodi Comic Con
Lodi, California
May 9, 2020
Find more info about Lodi Comic Con here.
Hudson Valley Comic Con
Poughkeepsie, New York
May 9-10, 2020
Find more info about Hudson Valley Comic Con here.
Meadowlark Comic Con
Medford, Oregon
Find more info about Meadowlark Comic Con here.
White Plains ComicFest
White Plains, New York
Find more info about White Plains ComicFest here.
East Coast ComiCon
Secaucus, New Jersey
May 15-17, 2020
Find more info about East Coast ComiCon here.
Motor City Comic Con
Novi, Michigan
Find more info about Motor City Comic Con here.
Nickel City Con
Buffalo, New York
Find more info about Nickel City Con here.
Phoenix Fan Fusion
Phoenix, Arizona
May 21-24, 2020
Find more info about Phoenix Fan Fusion here.
Animinneapols
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 22-24, 2020
Find more info about Animinneapols here.
Comicpalooza
Houston, Texas
Find more info about Comicpalooza here.
Thy Geekdom Con
Find more info about Thy Geekdom Con here.
Puerto Rico Comic Con
San Juan, Puerto Rico
May 23-25, 2020
Find more info about Puerto Rico Comic Con here.
General Hospital Convention
Burbank, California
May 29-31, 2020
Find more info about General Hospital Convention here.
QFX East
Tampa, Florida
Find more info about QFX East here.
WonderFest
Louisville, Kentucky
May 30-31, 2020
Find more info about WonderFest here.
Cradle Con
Garden City, New York
Find more info about Cradle Con here.
JUNE 2020
Undiscovered Comic Con
June 6-7, 2020
Find more info about Undiscovered Comic Con here.
Supernatural Official Convention
June 5-7, 2020
Find more info about Supernatural Official Convention here.
The Vampire Diaries/The Originals Official Convention
Find more info about The Vampire Diaries/The Originals Official Convention here.
Wizard World St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
Find more info about Wizard World St. Louis here.
Celebrity Fan Fest
San Antonio, Texas
June 11-14, 2020
Find more info about Celebrity Fan Fest here.
Superman Celebration
Metropolis, Illinois
How could I not include an event hosted in Superman’s official hometown (as decreed by DC Comics). The small town has a 15-foot Superman statue in front of the county courthouse, as well as one of Noel Neill’s portrayal of Lois Lane from the 1948, 1950 Superman film serials and 1950’s Adventures of Superman TV series. There is a Superman Museum on main street, and the local newspaper is even called The Metropolis Planet. Although more like a Smallville than a metropolis, the town has hosted the annual celebration – which is also a great town fair — for more than four decades, and attracts actors and creators connected to the Superman films, shows, and comics. This is a really charming destination that may be a slight drive from major cities, but is well worth packing the cape, and making a single bound for.
Find more info about Superman Celebration here.
Edison, New Jersey
June 13-14, 2020
Find more info about StrangerCon here.
Fan Fest New Jersey
Find more info about Fan Fest New Jersey here.
Kids Con New England
Nashua, New Hampshire
June 14, 2020
Find more info about Kids Con New England here.
HeroesCon
Charlotte, North Carolina
June 19-21, 2020
Find more info about HeroesCon here.
Wizard World Philadelphia
Find more info about Wizard World Philadelphia here.
Planet Funk Con
Bettendorf, Iowa
June 26-28, 2020
Find more info about Planet Funk Con here.
San Francisco, California
Gateway: The Stargate Official Convention
June 26-28
Find more info about Gateway: The Stargate Official Convention here.
JULY 2020
Denver Pop Culture Con
Denver, Colorado
July 3-5, 2020
Find more info about Denver Pop Culture Con here.
Anime Midwest
Find more info about Anime Midwest here.
July 10-12, 2020
Corpus Christi Comic Con
Corpus Christi, Texas
Find more info about Corpus Christi Comic Con here.
July 11-12, 2020
San Diego Comic-Con International
July 23-26, 2020
Perhaps you have heard of San Diego Comic-Con International, aka SDCC? The most well-known fan event in the entire world, this is also a mainstream media event that attracts studios, television networks, publishers, and game developers. This is where big pop culture news can ripple across the globe for years afterwards (people still talk about Tom Hiddleston taking the stage as Loki, Batman v. Superman being announced, and the Star Wars: The Force Awakens panel, and surprise concert). Celebrities, and legends, can be spotted around every corner as this event overtakes the entire historic Gaslight Quarter. SDCC belongs on any travel bucket list, and near the top of any fantripping list. While gaining access to the convention hall, and stepping foot in the hallowed (and very crowded Hall H) is a must, thousands flock to San Diego simply for the activations and takeovers outside the event – and accessible to the public.
Find more info about San Diego Comic-Con International here.
Metrocon
Find more info about Metrocon here.
Combatcon
July 30-Aug. 2, 2020
Find more info about Combatcon here.
Anime-zing!
Davenport, Iowa
July 31-Aug. 2, 2020
Find more info about Anime-zing! here.
AUGUST 2020
Star Trek Official Convention
Aug. 5-9, 2020
Find more info about Star Trek Official Convention here.
Fan Expo Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Aug. 7-9, 2020
Find more info about Fan Expo Boston here.
Nerdinout Con III
Rochester, Minnesota
Aug. 8-9, 2020
Find more info about Nerdinout Con III here.
Liberty City Anime Con
Aug. 21-23
Find more info about Liberty City Anime Con here.
Terrificon
Uncasville, Connecticut
Aug. 14-16, 2020
Find more info about Terrificon here.
Wizard World Chicago
Aug. 20-23, 2020
Find more info about Wizard World Chicago here.
Aug. 21-23, 2020
Colorado Springs Comic Con
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Aug. 21-13, 2020
Find more info about Colorado Springs Comic Con here.
Animania Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls, Texas
Aug. 22, 2020
Find more info about Animania Wichita Falls here.
Fan Expo Canada
Aug. 27-30, 2020
Find more info about Fan Expo Canada here.
Star Wars Celebration
I have no clue what will be happening at this post-Skywalker Saga Celebration. But there’s a lot of hope for reveals from the Disney+ standalone series Obi-Wan, Cassian Andor, and Season 2 of The Mandalorian. Regardless of what news breaks at the event, Celebration is an ultimate Star Wars fan paradise.
Find more info about Star Wars Celebration here.
Keystone Comic Con
Aug. 28-30, 2020
Find more info about Keystone Comic Con here.
Salute to Xena: A 25th Anniversary Convention
Find more info about Salute to Xena: A 25th Anniversary Convention here.
SEPTEMBER 2020
Dragon Con
Atlanta, Georgia
Sept. 3-7, 2020
Dragoncon is Burning Man for nerds. It is the cosplay capital of the con world (even the former Marriott hotel carpet is inspiration for costumes), and it’s the destination for the weirdest, wildest parties that go on all night long. Overtaking Downtown Atlanta, and multiple host hotels, there are few better spots for people watching. But while copious drinking and revelries take place, it is fun for the family as well, and the Dragoncon parade is unrivaled. Though the guest roster is still coming together, the event boasts an extensive programming slate unlike any other event – and across five jam-packed days. After SDCC, I recommend Dragoncon on the nerdy bucket list because it is on the other side of the spectrum.
Find more info about Dragon Con here.
Crunchyroll Expo
San Jose, California
Sept. 4-6, 2020
Find more info about Crunchyroll Expo here.
Meta Con
Find more info about Meta Con here.
Sept. 11-13, 2020
Rose City Comic Con
Portland, Oregon
Find more info about Rose City Comic Con here.
Fan X Salt Lake Comic Convention
Salt Lake City, Utah
Sept. 17-19, 2020
Find more info about Fan X Salt Lake Comic Convention here.
Edmonton Comics & Entertainment Expo
Edmonton, Alberta
Sept. 18-20, 2020
Find more info about Edmonton Comics & Entertainment Expo here.
Spa Con
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Find more info about Spa Con here.
L.A. Comic Con
Sept. 25-27, 2020
Find more info about L.A. Comic Con here.
Hero Nation
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Sept. 26, 2020
Find more info about Hero Nation here.
East Brunswick, New Jersey
Find more info about Supernatural Official Convention here.
OCTOBER 2020
Gaslight Steampunk Expo
Oct. 1-4, 2020
Find more info about Gaslight Steampunk Expo here.
Whippany, New Jersey
Oct. 2-4, 2020
Find more info about The Vampire Diaries/The Originals Official Convention here.
New York Comic Con
Oct. 8-11, 2020
The Big Apple deserves a big comic con, and NYCC is a contender size-wise with San Diego Comic-Con. But whereas SDCC overtakes the downtown Gaslamp Quarter, NYCC has its headquarters in Gotham, where so many superheroes hail from. It is near impossible for any single event to dominate New York City, but the con’s footprint has been increasing in recent years with ancillary activities NYCC Now, Anime Fest, and Studio @ NYCC. It is likewise impressive how many main stages are in play at the con. In addition to the one in the Javits Center — where the show floors are located — the event also hosts programming in the nearby Hammerstein Ballroom for events such as a night with Kevin Smith, or a meeting of Doctor Who actors Matt Smith, and David Tennant. Meanwhile, Madison Square Garden has been where blockbuster films, or The Walking Dead, have held their premieres. (And just as New York, New York is the city so nice they named it twice, the metropolis is home to a second great event: Big Apple Comic-Con, held in April).
Find more info about New York Comic Con here.
Oct. 9-11, 2020
ValleyCon
Fargo, North Dakota
Oct. 15-18, 2020
Find more info about ValleyCon here.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Oct. 16-18, 2020
Dallas Fan Days
Find more info about Dallas Fan Days here.
Oct 16-18, 2020
Oct. 17-18, 2020
Season 4 of Lucifer premiered on Netflix in May 2019 and ended with a “hellish” cliffhanger, and there is more to come with the upcoming fifth, and final, season. To celebrate Lucifer Morningstar’s next outing on Netflix, Tom Ellis, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Aimee Garcia, Rachael Harris — with more guests on the way — are joining for a two-day convention filled with guest panels, photo ops, autograph signings, karaoke fun and more.
NOVEMBER 2020
Rhode Island Comic Con
Providence, Rhode Island
Nov. 6-8, 2020
Find more info about Rhode Island Comic Con here.
Nov. 13-15, 2020
New Orleans, Louisiana
Nov. 20-22, 2020
AnimeNYC
Javits Center
Find more info about AnimeNYC here.
DECEMBER 2020
Lehigh Valley Comic Convention
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania
Dec. 5, 2020
Find more info about Lehigh Valley Comic Convention here.
Toronto Comic Book Show
Dec. 27, 2020
Find more info about Toronto Comic Book Show here.
