Comicpalooza, Texas’s largest pop culture convention, arrives in Houston the weekend of May 25 to 27, bringing hours of programming for the whole family. Whether you’re into anime, comics, gaming, cosplay or you just want to people watch, this three-day event at the George R. Brown Convention Center has it all. But so much activity can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-timer, so we’re here to give you a quick guide to help you plan your visit. And don’t worry if you’re not a sci-fi or anime fan, there are plenty of activities for everyone.
Celebrities
Don’t miss the chance to meet your favorite celebrity. Guests from favorite TV shows, movies, comics, literature, as well as celebrity cosplayers, will join in the fun and engage with the audience during Q&A sessions and photo-ops. This year’s roster includes Tom Holland, who portrays Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Krysten Ritter and Charlie Cox of The Defenders, the crew of Lost, John Cusack and Edward James-Olmos, among others. See the full list of guests.
Gaming
If gaming is your thing, Comicpalooza’s gaming hall offers you tons of play time. Games, systems and old-school arcade games are available throughout the weekend. If you’re a serious competitor, tournaments will be held throughout the weekend. Make sure you sign up by May 23. For those not looking to compete, free-play zones allow people of all ages and abilities to try their hand at any of the games in the convention’s streaming library. Game on!
Cosplay
Ready to recreate your favorite character through costume and acting? Even if you’re not into dressing up, you can enjoy Comicpalooza’s cosplay activities. It’s fun enough to look at the amazing costumes on display just by walking around but you can also watch one of the convention’s cosplay competitions. Have a kiddo who loves to dress up? On Sunday, May 27, kids get a chance to show off their costume at the Kidsplay competition.
Kids
For kids who love superheroes and characters from fantasy books, what better place to meet them? But Comicpalooza isn’t only about costumes and characters. Its Maker’s Space has activities galore that will challenge your kiddos to think creatively as they engage in science and math activities. The convention also has an area for jumping and tumbling, Legos, and face painting, story times and music from the Children’s Museum. They can learn to draw their own comics, too!
Comic Books, Lit and Film
Fans of comics, literature and film will find plenty to keep them busy over the weekend. Visitors can enjoy comics industry panels, comic writers and artists, comics retailers and a comics Publisher’s Pavilion at the event. The literature program features authors in several genres, as well as writing workshops and literary fan roundtables. Aspiring writers will have a chance to have their work critiqued at different times during the event. And the convention’s film fest showcases a variety of feature and short film submissions that attendees can watch at no additional charge.
Ready for a weekend packed with fun? Check out our Marketplace for Comicpalooza passes, and deals on things to do around the big event.
