School is out, the sun is shining, and your favorite fandom events are soon to be in full swing! With celebrations extending across the country that highlight gaming, comics, television, film, and books, there’s an event for everyone to enjoy this summer. Geek out and get the inside scoop on some of the top fandom events of the season!
AlienCon 2019: Los Angeles – Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA – June 21-23, 2019‎
Get ready, outer space enthusiasts— AlienCon lands at the Los Angeles Convention Center this summer! Followers of all things extraterrestrial won’t be disappointed with exclusive meet and greets with guests including Star Trek actor William Shatner and Ancient Aliens Co-Executive Producer Giorgio A. Tsoukalos. Out-of-this-world experts will lead panels and programming sessions, all while cultivating an atmosphere that encourages discovery and discussion. The weekend will also include access to celeb autograph and photo sessions, exclusive merchandise, fan competitions, and much more! Skeptics and believers alike are welcome, so purchase your tickets today!
Halo: Outpost Discovery – Orlando, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, Anaheim – July 7- September 1, 2019
Go beyond the game for a real-world Halo experience at Halo: Outpost Discovery! This touring fan experience is bringing the Halo realm to life with a Covenant-themed escape room, Combat Deck laser tag, and VR training grounds, in addition to a jam-packed lineup of Halo-oriented activities! This touring experience is coming to venues across the U.S., so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to engage in the ultimate real life video game simulation. Don’t miss this exciting chance to step inside the Halo universe!
Con of Thrones 2019 – Nashville Music City Center, Nashville, TN – July 12-14, 2019
The Game of Thrones (GoT) TV series may have come to an end, but there’s still so much to enjoy at Con of Thrones, a Game of Thrones fan’s dream come true! This three-day celebration is jam-packed with panels, programming, and appearances from featured guests including GoT stars Nikolaj Coster Waldau, John Bradley, Hannah Murray and more! You can even expect a photo opportunity with real wolf dogs! Winter is coming to Nashville this July, so get ready to spend your days within George R.R. Martin’s expansive mythical world at Con of Thrones!
QuakeCon: Year of DOOM – Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, TX – July 25-28, 2019
Gamers, this is your weekend! Enthusiasts of the original first-person shooter game, DOOM, will not want to miss QuakeCon: Year of DOOM! This DOOM-themed event will also cater to fans of Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Wolfenstein for the ultimate weekend gaming program. For those who have a competitive side, seize the opportunity to compete in esports tournaments and engage in hands-on gameplay. General Admission is free and includes access to keynotes, panels, and various evening events, but be sure to add a BYOC package when reserving your tickets for access to exclusive content!
OTAKON 2019 – Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. – July 26-28, 2019
Otakon returns to Washington, D.C. this July for their annual convention celebrating Asian pop culture and its fandom! This convention is the place to be for lovers of anime, manga, Asian music, movies, video games, and more! Explore artists and vendors at the Dealers Hall, take a chance to show off your open mic skills at the OtaCafe, then play the hottest games from the other side of the world in the Video Gaming Hall. Introverts and those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle can visit the Manga Library, which includes exclusive manga, complete with an on-site librarian! Novice and seasoned cosplayers are invited to amaze the crowd with their fan-made costumes during the Masquerade. This is just a glimpse of everything Otakon 2019 has to offer. For the full picture, get your tickets while they last!
Replay FX 2019 – David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA – August 1-4, 2019
You’re invited to the ultimate retro-gaming hub! Replay FX is the premier public gathering dedicated to pinball, video games, music, and fun! With more than 1,000 classic arcade games and pinball machines, ranging from the golden era to new releases, Replay FX will suit any gamer’s needs. Don’t expect a dull moment at Replay FX 2019 as you explore an unlimited amount of games at your playing leisure, as well as esports tournaments made for competitors, casual players, and spectators. Come ready to play, and get your tickets today!
LeakyCon 2019: Dallas – Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, TX – August 9-11, 2019
Wizards, warlocks, and witches, join Harry Potter fans from around the world at the paramount Potter extravaganza, LeakyCon 2019! Discuss theories with fellow J.K. Rowling fanatics, cosplay iconic characters, and sport your House garb, all while celebrating the iconic story of “The Boy Who Lived.” Experience the magic off the pages with mystical live music, panels from various stars and creators of the Harry Potter films, and discover exclusive merch and must-have treasures at the LeakyCon Marketplace. Potterheads, take the Hogwarts Express to Dallas this August for an otherworldly weekend!
Steel City Con – Monroeville Convention Center, Monroeville, PA – August 9-11, 2019
With over 750 vendor tables, impressive cosplay contests, an eye-catching artist alley, informative and captivating panels, entertaining trivia contests, and so much more, you won’t want to miss Pittsburgh’s Steel City Con this August! This pop culture celebration invites you to explore 100,000 square feet of convention space and interact with notable guests, such as George Takei, Lea Thompson, and Paul Reubens- the man behind Pee Wee Herman. Attendees will be entertained from the moment they walk into through the door, so act quickly and get your tickets today!
Keystone Comic Con – Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA – August 23-25, 2019
Philly, get ready for the second annual up-and-coming pop-culture and comic community bash, Keystone Coming Con! Discover newly released comics, explore unique artwork, get up close and personal with pop-culture idols, and shop the Show Floor for the freshest geeky gear during a spectacular three days. Achieve high scores in the Gaming Zone, attend exclusive panels and programming, and don your coolest costumes at Cosplay Central! This game-changing Pennsylvania convention is the hotspot for your favorite fandoms, so get your tickets today!
PAX West 2019 – Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA – August 30-September 2 2019
This August, Seattle’s premium gaming convention returns! PAX West is the ultimate destination for all things gaming, with exhibitors ranging from AAA publishers and developers with the biggest games on the market, to revolutionary indie teams that are infiltrating the industry. Witness innovative panels that encompass all aspects of the gaming world, and participate in tournaments across numerous gaming platforms. Other highlights include pin trading at the Pinny Arcade, spectating the best of the best esport players at the PAX Arena, and nightly music performances playing a variety of your favorite tunes. Tickets are going fast, so register soon for this beloved four-day gaming expo!
LightBox Expo – Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA – September 6-8, 2019
Join over 250 of the best artists in the animation, live-action, illustration, and gaming industries all under one roof at LightBox Expo! This West Coast event will feature exhibits from Disney Television Animation, Adobe, Pixar Animation Studios, and more. Some of your favorite artists, like Blizzard freelancer DJ Welch, Marvel designer Andy Park, and Netflix Story Artist Michelle Lam, will showcase their talents. Concept Art Awardees will also be recognized at this engaging event, so make sure to submit your art into the competition, and we’ll see you there!
Rose City Comic Con – Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR – September 13-15, 2019
Portland’s annual pop culture event, Rose City Comic Con, is the hotspot for comic lovers, gaming fans, anime buffs, and everyone in between! This family-friendly event features celebrity guests like Doctor Who’s Matt Smith, Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Tim Curry, and an incredible list of so many other notable personalities. Guests will spend their days witnessing riveting panels, exclusive screenings, and engaging programming, all in between exploring the Artist Alley and Makers Market, which features limited art, exclusive content, and custom merch. Grab your tickets and head to Portland this summer!