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Fan Expo Vancouver 2026

Over a brisk February weekend filled with Olympic buzz, Family and Valentine’s Day plans. More than 25,000 fans chose to spend their time somewhere else entirely. Gathering at the Vancouver Convention Centre for Fan Expo Vancouver 2026. Turning the waterfront venue into a hub of pop culture celebration. Now a staple of the city’s convention calendar, Fan Expo Vancouver once again delivered a showcase of sci fi, horror, fantasy, anime, comics, gaming, and collectibles.

Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 maintained its broader identity as a cross genre pop culture convention. Independent artists and vendors reported strong engagement, while families and longtime collectors alike filled the aisles in costume. From autograph signings to panel discussions, the event emphasized accessibility and community, reinforcing its role as one of Western Canada’s premier fan gatherings.

The Fans

Full disclosure, I’m a nerd. Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, DC, you name the fandom and I’ll hold my own in the conversation. That said, this was my first time attending Fan Expo Vancouver in more than a decade, and expectations were high. Anyone who’s tried to navigate downtown on a busy weekend knows the mental gymnastics involved. Between people flooding toward the Expo and the inevitable crawl of stop and go congestion, it is easy to start questioning your life choices. The dominant thought tends to be simple. This better be worth it. The answer arrived almost immediately. After finally parking, I was greeted by a full suit Master Chief from Halo. It was impossible not to stop and stare. The level of detail, the presence, it set the tone before I had even stepped fully onto the show floor. Once inside the main exhibition space, it became clear that the cosplay community had shown up in force. The craftsmanship on display reflected months of work. Armor builds looked screen ready. What stood out most wasn’t just the accuracy, but the pride.

There were plenty of expected icons roaming the aisles. Darth Vader posed for photos. Hobbits gathered near Middle earth displays. Vault Dwellers from Fallout navigated the crowd in blue and yellow jumpsuits. But one costume in particular caught my attention. An Alan Wake cosplay, complete with jacket and flashlight in hand. It was a more niche reference, and because of that, it felt especially meaningful. That moment captured what the weekend ultimately represented. Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 wasn’t about celebrity panels or exclusive merchandise. It was about shared enthusiasm. It was thousands of people in one place, signaling to one another their interests. No matter how mainstream or obscure, they were valid and worth celebrating. After more than ten years away, the return felt justified.

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The Celebs

If there was any doubt about Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 pull, the celebrity lineup erased it. Stacked almost feels too casual a word. Beyond the Middle earth celebrations, the guest list read like a crash course in genre television and film. James Marsters, forever etched in pop culture as Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, drew devoted fans all weekend. Dean Norris of Breaking Bad fame was on hand, as was Mike Colter, known for Luke Cage and Evil. Ron Perlman brought his unmistakable Hellboy  presence to the floor, while Katee Sackhoff represented Battlestar Galactica. Even Corey Feldman, from so many iconic 80’s roles like The Lost Boys made an appearance. Franchise reunions were another major draw. Cast members from Harry Potter, Smallville, TMNT, The Goonies, and Twilight were featured across panels and signing sessions. The first major panel of Day One spotlighted the Twilight cast, with Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, and Peter Facinelli taking the stage together. The conversation covered their time on the films, their appreciation for the franchise’s enduring fanbase, and the cultural afterlife of the series. The celebration extended beyond the convention centre, with a special screening of the original film hosted at the Rio Theatre.

Autograph and photo opportunities ran steadily throughout the weekend, providing fans with more personal interactions. As a longtime viewer of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, meeting James Marsters was a highlight. In conversation, he reflected on his time with the series and expressed genuine gratitude for fans that continue to support the character decades later. Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 also highlighted voice talent, recognizing that many beloved characters are known as much for their voices as their faces. Maile Flanagan, the English voice of Naruto from Naruto, appeared alongside Jim Cummings, widely recognized as the voice of Winnie the Pooh. Vivienne Medrano, creator of Hazbin Hotel, and Nick Apostolides, the voice behind Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil. Taken together, the 2026 roster reflected the convention’s broad appeal.

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Welcome to Middle-Earth

From Nazgûl stalking the aisles to Elves posing for photos, Hobbits drawing steady crowds, and Grey Wizard drifting through the concourse, Fan Expo Vancouver fully embraced its Tolkien tribute. Unsurprisingly, demand to meet the cast was significant. A substantial portion of the weekend’s longest lines were dedicated to photo ops and autograph sessions with the four actors who brought the Hobbits to life. For many attendees, this anniversary felt personal. The films have shaped two and a half decades of fandom, and the opportunity to express that appreciation directly carried weight. One of the marquee attractions was “An Evening With The Hobbits,” a ticketed experience that quickly became one of the convention’s most talked about events. The actors shared behind the scenes anecdotes that have rarely been discussed publicly, and at one point even led the audience in karaoke, creating an atmosphere that felt more celebratory than formal. During the second day’s installment, John Rhys-Davies and David Wenham joined the stage, adding another layer of exclusivity.

The Tolkien focus extended to the show floor as well. A dedicated retail space from Weta Workshop offered merchandise tailored specifically for the event. Apparel, detailed statues, and collectible items reflected the craftsmanship associated with the studio’s work on the original trilogy. For collectors, the limited nature of the products added further incentive. Taken together, the Middle earth programming served as both tribute and reunion. It honored the franchise’s legacy while giving fans access to the people who helped shape it.

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Shops

For collectors, there may not have been a more concentrated marketplace for pop culture merchandise in the city that weekend than Fan Expo Vancouver 2026. The show floor functioned as both convention and retail hub. At the moment, Pokémon continues to dominate the collectibles market, and that momentum was clearly reflected. Dealers prominently displayed graded cards in protective slabs, with some high value pieces listed in the four figure range. Whether buyers were seasoned collectors or younger fans building their first binders, the demand was evident.

For those less interested in trading cards, the selection stretched across genres and formats. Poster vendors offered everything from officially licensed prints to stylized fan art interpretations, some of which leaned into more adult themes. Collectible figures remained a steady presence as well. Funko Pop has held strong in the convention circuit for over a decade, occupying multiple booths, with rare variants. While the aisles occasionally felt congested, especially during peak afternoon hours, the density did little to dampen excitement. Many attendees paused to speak directly with artists and creators from the local community, browsing original illustrations, and handcrafted items. The event’s reach also extended well beyond the Lower Mainland. At one booth, a vendor shared that an attendee had traveled from Europe specifically to experience Fan Expo Vancouver. That anecdote speaks to the convention’s growing reputation and its ability to attract fans not just from across British Columbia, but international destinations.

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Thank You Fan Expo

Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 unfolded over the long weekend, culminating on Family Day with a final surge of activity. The energy remained high, but there was also a shared awareness that the weekend was drawing to a close. As the final hours ticked down, attendees made one last pass through the showroom floor. Vendors saw repeat visitors returning to pick up items they had been considering all weekend. The atmosphere felt reflective, with fans taking the time to appreciate the craftsmanship and nostalgia that had defined the past three days. Cosplay continued to be a standout feature through the closing hours. Elaborate builds remained a constant presence. By the end of Family Day, Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 established itself as the city’s marquee pop culture event. With early indications that information about the 2027 edition will be released soon, anticipation is already building. If this year is any indication, Vancouver’s fandom community will be ready to return.

I’d like to thank the Fan Expo crew for allowing me to experience this year’s installment. If you’d like to find out more about the event, please visit here: https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpovancouver/
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