By Justin Goodrum
Fan Expo Denver, one of the city’s biggest celebrations of the entertainment industry, is coming to the Colorado Convention Center this weekend.
Fan Expo brings actors, cosplayers and artists together to celebrate everything popular in nerd culture.
First-time visitors to the event, running May 28-31, may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to see and do. But we’ve got you covered: Here’s how to get the most out of Colorado's premier comic con event.
Fan Expo Denver brings big reunions, blockbuster panels and TV legends
As usual, this year’s celebrity lineup is packed with familiar faces and fan favorites from both classic shows and some of 2026’s biggest hits. Things get started Thursday with a "Scream" reunion panel bringing together Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, Jamie Kennedy and Lee Waddell.
Friday is when the panels kick into high gear. Highlights include:
- "Karate Kid" and "Cobra Kai" star Ralph Macchio;
- "Supernatural" and "The Guild" favorite Felicia Day;
- the cast of Amazon’s recently wrapped hit "The Boys;"
- and a reunion with the cast of the beloved "The X-Files."
Saturday’s schedule brings:
- Robert Patrick sharing stories from his time on "Tulsa King;"
- an audience Q&A with action star Dolph Lundgren;
- and an onstage conversation with "Luke Cage" star Mike Colter.
Gaming fans also can get a peek behind the curtain Sunday morning with a panel featuring voice actors from one of the industry’s biggest franchises, Grand Theft Auto.
The weekend wraps up with one last wave of nostalgia, including "Lost" stars Dominic Monaghan and Josh Holloway; a panel with Orlando Bloom; and "The Lord of the Rings" 25th anniversary reunion featuring Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Monaghan and Billy Boyd.
The easiest way to stay on top of the action? Download the Fan Expo Denver app.
What will it cost?
Single-day prices are as follows:
- $35 for Thursday. Hours are 12-8 p.m.
- $57 for Friday. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- $80 for Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- $63 for Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Family passes are available for about twice the cost of an individual ticket, good for two adults and up to four children ages 6-12. Kids ages 13-17 also can get a few dollars off daily admission.
Four-day passes are $130 for individuals.
Admission is sold online via the expo’s website.
Find geek swag on the show floor
Celebrities may grab the headlines, but the real heartbeat of any comic convention is on the show floor. That’s where artists and vendors from around the world fill endless rows of booths with paintings, illustrations, comics, anime merch and collectibles.
For first-time attendees, the game plan is simple: Take a lap before deciding to spend.
Wander the floor, see what catches your eye and scope out the crowds before jumping into lines that can stretch fast. Chances are you’ll spot more than a few things competing for your attention (and money). Those hoping to dodge the biggest crowds should aim for Thursday, when the show floor is usually quieter — before the weekend rush hits.
To get the most out of your experience, start a conversation with the creators of the art and merchandise. Many have stories about how their work came together and their fandom, and the show floor is packed with independent comic creators and artists chasing their next big break. You never know when you’ll discover your next favorite creator before everyone else does.
Turning the convention center into a cosplay fashion runway
The cosplay spectacle — people dressing up as their favorite characters — will be impossible to miss.
You’ll see everything from first-time cosplayers testing out homemade looks to nationally known cosplay stars posing for photos and signing autographs, with costumes from across geek culture.
Cosplayers will compete at The Rocky Mountain Qualifier, which gives competitors a shot at $1,000 and a free round-trip flight to represent Denver at MegaCon Orlando.
Fans can also meet fellow cosplayers at the Cosplay Showcase, snap photos at the Photo Park, and sharpen their skills at workshops and panels packed with design advice, crafting tips and photography tricks to help every costume stand out.
There’s a lot packed into Fan Expo Denver, so before you head out, check the website for the full schedule, panel times and everything happening throughout the weekend.
