Best Geek Conventions

Date & Location:DragonCon happens early September at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, GA.websitereferences specific dates.

Average Attendance:80,000+

Approximate Cost to Attend: A one-day pass costs $50; a three-day pass costs $130.

Past Highlights: The Julie Award, honoring comic book editor Julius Schwartz, goes to industry professionals every year at this convention. The past recipient list includesRay Bradbury, Yoshitaka Amano, Alice Cooper, and Neil Gaiman.

Why You Should Go:DragonCon is one of the largest conventions in the United States. It usually focuses on science fiction and fantasy. You always see something exciting at this event, and it's even goodfor kids.

Date & Location: It takes place in July in San Diego, CA. Find current dates on their website.

Average Attendance: 130,000+

Approximate Cost to Attend: A one-day pass costs between $40 and $55; a four-day pass costs about $245.

Past Highlights: Many franchises release important info at SDCC. For example, Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War poster was revealedduring a panel there in 2017.

Why You Should Go:This is one of the world's largest geek conventions. Many celebrities and creators attend. If you like cosplay, gaming, or comics, buy tickets for this event.

Date & Location:Gen Con happens in August in Indianapolis, IN. Find current dates online.online.

Average Attendance:60,000+

Approximate Cost to Attend:A one-day pass costs between $60 and $70; a four-day pass costs $110.

Past Highlights:Each convention focuses on new tabletop gaming releases. New editions of Dungeons & Dragons are sometimes revealedduring this event.

Why You Should Go:If you like tabletop gaming, go to Gen Con. It is the largest tabletop-game convention in North America. It features pen-and-paper RPGs, card games, and traditional board games.

Date & Location:This convention happens in February or March in Seattle, WA. Find current ECCC dates on their website.

Average Attendance:95,000+

Approximate Cost to Attend:Single-day passes cost between $40 and $50.

Past Highlights:The Cosplay Competition is usually a big draw.

Why You Should Go:The ECCC is one of the largest comic book conventions in the United States. Scores of celebrities attend, and new project news always comes out.

Date & Location:WonderCon usually occurs in March or April. Locations change, but it stays in California. Check their website.

Average Attendance:60,000+

Approximate Cost to Attend:One-day passes cost between $20 and $35; three-day passes cost $75.

Past Highlights:WonderCon stays connected to comic culture.Vendors sellrows of hard-to-find comic books.

Why You Should Go:WonderCon has booths and guests from popular films. The event focuses on the comic book genre. Unlike bigger conventions, WonderCon never straystoo far from its roots.

Date & LocationFive PAX conventions happen yearly in Seattle, WA; Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; San Antonio, TX; and Melbourne, AU. Check the website for specific dates.Check the website for the dates.Dates change each year.

Average AttendanceOver 80,000+

Approximate Cost to AttendOne-day passes cost about $52.50; three-day passes cost about $105.

Past HighlightsEvery PAX convention is unique. At PAX Boston in 2017, Overwatch game fans arrived in large numbers.Overwatch game fans came in droves.Attendees engaged in intense cosplay.They all engaged in intense cosplay.Why You Should Go:

PAX focuses almost entirely on the video game industry. This makes it fun for many serious gamers. Originally the Penny Arcade Expo, this convention lets people across America attend without major travel.PAX focuses almost entirely on video games, so serious gamers enjoy it. Originally the Penny Arcade Expo, this convention serves people across America; you likely won't travel far from home.

Date & Location:IndieCade typically occurs during the first half of October in Culver City, CA. Current dates are on the website..Average Attendance:

Over 57,000+57,000+

A one-day pass costs $25, but some four-day passes cost $495 for full access.A one-day pass costs $25. Four-day passes cost $495 for full access.

IndieCade picks the top 40 independent games from over 1,000 submissions. Players get unique experiences. IndieCade choosesIndieCade picks the top 40 independent games from over 1,000 submissions. Players get unique experiences.

TIMEIndieCade refers to the event as the game industry's Sundance. This convention offers a great outlet for gamers and small game designers.TIMEAnime Expo happens in early July at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. The website lists upcoming dates.This convention acts as the game industry's Sundance. It offers a great outlet for gamers and small game designers.

Date & Location:Anime Expo happens in early July at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California.Approximate Cost to Attend:A single day costs $55, and a four-day pass costs $115.

Past Highlights:107,000+

Why You Should Go:A single day costs $55. A four-day pass costs $115.

Date & Location:The New York Comic Con happens in early October at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, NY. The website lists upcoming dates.The New York Comic Con happens in early October at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, NY. The website lists upcoming dates.Thousands of dollars support groups like the Children's Hospital of Orange County and the Japanese Red Cross.

Over 180,000+ Approximate Cost to Attend:This is one of America's largest and fastest-growing anime conventions. It features major cosplay and draws industry pros and YouTube personalities.

Date & Location:New York Comic Con happens in early October at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, NY.The New York Comic Con features the Hey Arnold: The Jungle movie trailer at the 2017 NYCC.Why You Should Go:

This convention suits people living on the East Coast in the United States. It took over the former New York Anime Festival, covering everything from popular films and comics to cosplay, manga, and anime.180,000+

BlizzCon occurs in either early November or late October at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. The BlizzCon website lists all event dates.One-day tickets range from $45 to $50. Three-day passes cost $150. Four-day passes cost $195.

Average Attendance:Over 35,000+Approximate Cost to Attend:movietrailer was releasedat the 2017 NYCC.

Why You Should Go:This convention suits East Coast residents in the United States. It took over the former New York Anime Festival, covering everything from popular films and comics to cosplay, manga, and anime.

Date & Location:This event occurs either in early November or late October at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.BlizzCon websitelists all event dates.

Average Attendance:35,000+

Approximate Cost to Attend:Tickets for the two-day event cost $199. The BlizzCon Benefit Dinner costs $500 to $750.

Past Highlights: BlizzCon 2017 announced the return of vanilla.World of Warcraft servers and a new hero for the game.Overwatchservers and a new hero for theOverwatch game..

Why You Should Go: The BlizzCon publishing company hosts this convention to promote their products. The event focuses onWarcraft, Starcraft, Diablo, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, andOverwatchIf you like these games, this place gives you important info.

Date & Location:Go Play NW usually happens in early July, after the Independence Day weekend in Seattle, WA. Check thewebsite.

Average Attendance:Attendance records are not reported, but crowd numbers reach the thousands.

Approximate Cost to Attend:It costs between $70 and $100.

Past Highlights:The con lets gamers meet each other and play RPGs.

Why You Should Go:This is the only convention for role-playing games. Other tabletop game events have some space for RPGs, butGo Play NW isthe place to find info, recommendations, and new friends.

Date & Location: A-Kon usually happens in late May or early June at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Texas. Current dates are posted on thewebsite.

Average Attendance:33,000+

Approximate Cost to Attend:A one-day pass is $45 to $55, and a four-day pass is $79.

Past Highlights:Big YouTube gamers usually attend this event.

Why You Should Go:As one of the longest anime conventions in North America, A-Kon attracts many people. Many Japanese vendors sell video games and tabletop games. Sometimes, martial arts shows happen too.

Date & Location: It happens in June at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. Check the specific days on thewebpage.

Average Attendance: 64,000+

Approximate Cost to Attend: A three-day Gamer Pass costs $249, but supplies sell out fast.

Past Highlights: Many video game companies announce future titles at this convention. In 2015, theFallout 4E3announcement causeda stir in the gaming industry.

Why You Should Go:E3 used to be an event only for the industry. Now, anyone can see the newest entertainment and technology. This con is also one of the biggest gaming news shows in North America.