The Pop Insider's Convention Calendar

Whether you spend three full days or just a few hours of fan-filled fun between booths and panels, it’s vital to prep for your 2026 convention journey.

Fans who flock to cons can typically expect panels, comic book artists, exclusive merchandise, immersive experiences, and post-show activities. But above all else, these events offer the opportunity to connect with fellow fans. 

Conventions like ReedPop’s Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), hosted in Seattle, strive to provide fans with a space where they can easily engage with their beloved characters and their found families. “As our world becomes increasingly digital, meeting up with people face-to-face is more important than ever,” says Chris D’Lando, events manager at ECCC. “Our goal is to provide fans with an avenue to meet up with their friends, or make new ones, and celebrate their favorite fandoms.” 

While every con has its strengths (and superheroes), here are 10 that you'll want to add to your 2026 convention schedule ASAP.

WonderCon is a great starter con for fans who are just beginning their adventures. Presented by Comic-Con International, the convention will be packed with fan-favorite celebrities and exclusive merchandise, but it might feel easier to navigate than some of the larger cons. 

This four-day convention features a large Artist Alley, with around 500 tables hosting designers, authors, and creatives. According to D’Lando, this year ECCC will be “expanding into even more of the Seattle Convention Center’s two buildings. Meaning, our show floors are getting bigger to have even more exhibitors than ever before. We’re also excited about the return of The Tavern, our immersive space where fans can enjoy performances, play games with friends, and enjoy some food and drink.”

Anime Expo is a celebration of Japanese animation, music, entertainment, fashion, food, and more. This con hosts several events and interactive shows that you won’t see at other conventions, including the Maid Café, where guests are served themed food and beverages by maids who will sing, dance, and lead activities. Fans can also visit Lounge 21, where they can rest their feet, listen to live music, and engage with special guests; enter the Manga Lounge, complete with couches and shelves of manga and art books; and watch the Anime Music Video Competition — enough said.

This convention typically features highly anticipated, popular guests from films, TV shows, anime, comics, and other media. SDCC often serves as a stage for brands and franchises to reveal new content, collections, and more. Fans can also be part of history by entering the 52nd annual Masquerade, an on-stage costume contest judged by the Costume Designers Guild. If you can’t attend this con in person, you can still stay up-to-date on the exclusive merch and reveals through The Pop Insider’s constant SDCC coverage online.

Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax established this four-day con to celebrate tabletop gaming. Nearly 60 years later, fans of board, role-playing, and card games can still play their way around the event. Attendees can try new games in the First Exposure Playtest Hall, where designers and publishers showcase prototypes. At the Gen Con Game Design Academy, aspiring designers (or those with a casual interest) can learn from industry experts through workshops, seminars, and more.

This convention is the perfect place to debut your new cosplay. Dragon Con holds several costume contests, covering anime, video games, literary characters, and more. The convention is also home to multiple workshops; past attendees engaged in writing seminars, swordplay and stage combat lessons, magic lessons, and more. There’s also an exclusive after-hours event at the Georgia Aquarium.

With a large Artist Alley and back-to-back panels covering collectibles, Broadway shows, anime, and more, you’ll find nods to your fandoms on every floor of the Javits Center. This year marks NYCC’s 20th anniversary, so attendees can expect larger-than-life programming, after parties, cosplay, and immersive experiences from major brands like Paramount, HBO, Crunchyroll, and more. Be sure to visit The Pop Insider’s booth (Booth No. 1829) to win exclusive games, apparel, and more from your favorite merch makers. 

Starting on March 16, GalaxyCon will travel to Richmond, Virginia; Oklahoma City; Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Jose, California; Des Moines, Iowa; St. Louis; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Columbus, Ohio. Each location features special events and experiences, like a Muppet Treasure Island screening with Steve Whitmire, karaoke contests, adults-only panels, tattoo artists on Tattoo Row, and more. GalaxyCon also hosts several virtual events, including Q&As and photo ops.

Fan Expo began in January, but fans can still experience the convention series. Gamers, anime lovers, horror fanatics, and more can purchase tickets to the three-day event in Cleveland, Denver, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, or San Francisco. This year, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd are reuniting for The Lord of the Rings 25th Anniversary Tour, hosted at several Fan Expo shows. Attendees can attend a special panel featuring the cast, take a photo with the Fellowship, and receive personalized autographs. 

This article was originally featured in the Winter 2026 issue of The Pop Insider. Read more articles from this issue and subscribe to The Pop Insider here!