FAN EXPO Denver is a three-day, family-friendly fan convention that takes place at the Colorado Convention Center. The event features the best in comics, along with popular sci-fi and fantasy TV shows, movies, horror, Japanese animation, cosplay (fan-created costumes and costumed skits), toys, gaming and celebrity panel presentations. For more information, visit FAN EXPO Denver's website.
What to See, What to Do
Catch in-person celebrity interviews — and maybe even nab an autograph or professional photo op with your favorite star. Drop by the Comic Creator area to meet comic legends and pro comic book artists and writers and geek out over their amazing work. Artist Alley is where you can meet your favorite painters, inkers, pencilers and colorists. Similarly, Author Alley gives fans access to their favorite authors and publishers. Watch comic artists as they go “pen-to-pen” in sketch duels and enter to win the original art they produce once they’re done.
A few of the actors, authors, artists and gaming stars this year include actor and WWF Wrestling icon John Cena, Brendan Fraser ("The Mummy"), John Boyega ("Star Wars"), Grant Gustin ("The Flash"), William Shatner ("Star Trek"), actor and boxer Mike Tyson, Bruce Campbell ("The Evil Dead"), Jason Isaacs ("The White Lotus"), Alan Tudyk ("Firefly"), Cassandra Peterson (Elvira: Mistress of the Dark) and many, many more!
Get interactive with community groups, fan meetups, gaming booths, and trivia tourneys that will test your knowledge of all things anime.
Of course, cosplay is a huge part of the experience. Each year, there's a costume contest and a non-competitive cosplay red carpet to watch (or walk!). You'll want to join the fun and dress up as your favorite superhero or video game, TV, movie or anime character. There are also cosplay-focused panels and how-to talks, along with plenty of photo ops. Meet star cosplayers like Cee Kaye Cosplays, Herringbone and Hareloom Cosplay, Kristin Killtastic, Poppy Lop Cosplay and Undeadtoasty.
If you're bringing the whole family, FAN EXPO Denver offers fans of all ages opportunities to create, imagine, learn and connect through pop culture, from a Kids' Lab where you can engage in pop culture-themed activities in an interactive and family-friendly educational space to the Friendiverse Lounge, where you can trade pins, make friendship bracelets, or get crafty with fandom-inspired DIY projects. Kiddos will also love the Book Nook, the peaceful Zen Den, and the Kids' Cosplay Red Carpet.
The fun doesn't end when the show floor closes! After-parties and events ensure every fan's schedule is stacked all weekend long. This year, Bruce Campbell hosts a rapid-fire trivia showdown called "Last Fan Standing," Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum bring "Smallville" to life, and three epic tales will unfold during D&D Live-Play Nights: Legends of Gaming. Celebrate the Fourth of July with fun events like Comics Xplosion, a live art event where master illustrators create stunning pieces to the rhythm of the music, and catch dynamic performances, thrilling dancing moves, and fan-inspired fun at Nerdlesque: Anime Edition. On Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy Anime After Dark, where you can meet anime voice actors who aren't appearing during regular show hours, get autographs, dance to K-pop tunes and more!
Last but not least: the shopping! Shop hundreds of retailers from all over to make your experience unforgettable. From finding that rare comic book to purchasing stunning original artwork, graphic novels, memorabilia, games, toys, or T-shirts–you'll find it all here, with more than 300,000 square feet of shopping space.
You Can Literally Taste It
Denver knows beer, so it's fitting that FAN EXPO Denver has its own brew. Each year, Breckenridge Brewery crafts a beer specifically for FAN EXPO and asks the public to help choose the name. The 2024 winner was "Brewbacca Citrus Yuzu Wheat Ale—an ode to everyone's favorite Wookie. This year's brew is the "Ghostbusters"-inspired "Ecto-Lime"—a salt and lime lager featuring fan-favorite ghost Slimer.
Past editions of the beer have included “The Fantastic Pour” (2012), "The Caped Brewsader" (2013), "Brews Wayne" (2014), "Hulk's Mash" (2015), "Severus Snapricot" (2016), "I am Brewt" (2017), "Razznarok" (2018), "Bocks Machina" (2019), "Doctor Hoptopus" (2022) and "Live Long and Pilsner," a play on Star Trek's Vulcan blessing, "Live long and prosper" (2023).
