Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade
Fans and families from every corner of geekdom are set to assemble over the upcoming Family Day long weekend for the 12th annual Fan Expo Vancouver (FXV) convention. Thousands of pop culture obsessives are expected to flock to the Vancouver Convention Centre for the three-day event being held from February 17-19.
Photo: Christine McAvoy/Fan Expo
Fans & Families
Fan Expo Vancouver allows fans and their families to immerse themselves in the different worlds of cosplay, comic books, sci-fi, animation, and more. Attendees are anticipated to pack the convention, with eager guests connecting over their shared passions, exploring new fandoms, shopping vendors, browsing unique art, finding vintage gems, and seeking collectibles.
From memorable encounters with favourite stars and creators to captivating performances and spectacular cosplay, this year’s event promises something for fans of all ages and interests.
Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade
Celebrity Guests
FXV 2024 will feature another star-studded celebrity guest lineup, including appearances from:
- Elijah Wood from The Lord of the Rings trilogy
- Joseph Quinn & Grace Van Dien from Stranger Things
- Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio from Daredevil
- Bruce Campbell from The Evil Dead series
- Danny Trejo from Spy Kids
- Giancarlo Esposito from Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul
- Michelle Hurd from Star Trek: Picard
- Jason Lee from My Name Is Earl
- Adam Savage from Mythbusters
Notable voice actors include:
- Patricia Summersett from Legend of Zelda
- Jodi Benson from The Little Mermaid
- Grey Delisle from Scooby Doo & Fairly Oddparents
- Charles Martinet from Super Mario
- Zach Aguilar from Demon Slayer & Genshin Impact
Browse the full guestlist here.
Fans will also be able to meet these and other celebrity guests during autograph signings and photo ops and hear from them live on stage at panels and fan Q&As.
Photo: Fan Expo
Fan Activities
FXV once again features three jam-packed days of panels, celebrity guest Q&As, cosplay competitions, industry workshops, an action-packed Family Zone, and a full schedule of programming, including:
Ani-Monday – Celebrates all things anime-related on Monday with themed events and activities showcasing everyone’s beloved anime characters.
Cosplay Craze – Cosplayers can show off their skills and impressive costumes to compete in the Vancouver Cosplay Craftsmanship Cup and Replica Contest, make costume repairs at the Cosplay Repair Station, and strike a pose at the Cosplay Photo Park.
The Great Baby Race – See if your baby is the next Flash by racing against other babies. Both crawlers and toddlers are welcome.
Family & Kids Cosplay Red Carpet – Cosplay is for everyone, as attendees can hit the red carpet with their families and groups in family-themed cosplay for a chance to win exciting prizes.
Royalty in the Family Zone – Throughout the weekend, enjoy visits from the Snow Queen, Island Princess, wizards, witches, and maybe even a couple of “plumber brothers,” as they bring mini-games, spells, and songs to the Family Zone.
Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade
Beyond the Expo
Beyond attending Fan Expo, there are plenty of other geek-themed activities in the city to extend your fun. If you’re looking to add to your collection, pay a visit to Golden Age Collectibles or Tazmanian Comics to shop for comics, toys, and other items to fill out your collection.
Looking to grab a drink or snack while playing some games after a day at the convention? Try retro arcade bars like Greta Bar, The Den or Glitch. Restaurants that offer board games while you eat include Score on Davie, Pizzeria Ludica, Off the Grid Waffle Cafe, and Back and Forth Bar.
Photo: Golden Age Collectibles
Stay tuned for Fan Expo Vancouver’s full schedule announcement closer to the event date.
Tickets are on sale now, with early bird rates available until February 2. Family passes are still available for Saturday and Monday, while Ultimate Fan and VIP packages are sold out.
All tickets provide full access to the Expo, including workshops and panels, celebrity Q&As, hundreds of vendors and artists, gaming areas, cosplay contests, and more.