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.
Star-Studded Lineup
So far, the celebrity lineup includes the likes of Christina Ricci; James McAvoy; Chevy Chase; Christie Brinkley; Neve Campbell, Jamie Kennedy, Skeet Ulrich and Matthew Lillard ("Scream"); Hayden Christensen ("Star Wars"); Joseph Quinn and Grace Van Dien ("Stranger Things); Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio ("Daredevil"); Jon Bernthal ("The Punisher"); Christopher Lloyd ("Back to the Future"); Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul," "The Mandalorian"); Steve Burns ("Blue's Clues"); Danny Trejo ("Machete"); Katee Sackhoff and Emily Swallow ("The Mandalorian"); Bonnie Wright ("Harry Potter"); Vivien Lyra Blair ("Obi-Wan Kenobi"); Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards ("Arrow"); Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn and Gates McFadden ("Star Trek"); Gabriel Luna ("The Last of Us"); Mario Lopez and Mark-Paul Gosselaar ("Saved by the Bell"); Kate Flannery, Leslie David Baker and Brian Baumgartner ("The Office"); and legendary director Sam Raimi ("The Evil Dead," "Army of Darkness," "Spider-Man," "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness").
Stay tuned for more guests, from cosplayers and gamers to voice actors, anime stars, comic creators and authors.
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.
Get interactive with community groups, fan meetups, gaming booths, Jedi Knight and Padawan Lightsaber Battles, sci-fi and fantasy Simon Says, 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.
If you're bringing the whole family, Pop Culture Classroom’s Educational Programs at FAN EXPO Denver 2023 offer students, educators, families and fans of all ages an awesome opportunity to create, imagine, learn and connect through pop culture. Plus, you can enter the Cosplay Contest as a family!
The fun doesn't end when the show floor closes! After parties and events ensure every fan's schedule is stacked all weekend long, including an after-hours screening of the best episodes from "The Office," chosen by you. Watch along with fellow fans, test your knowledge of The Office Trivia, bring your best Jim and Pam cosplay, and see if you have what it takes to win a Dundie Award!
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 2019 winner was "Bocks Machina," a play on the adventure group Vox Machina from the web series "Critical Role." 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) and "Razznarok" (2018). Stay tuned for this year's beer, which will also be available for a limited time at select breweries around town.
A Fun Way to Learn
FAN EXPO Denver is a program under the Colorado non-profit Pop Culture Classroom, whose mission is to inspire a love of learning, increase literacy and celebrate diversity. Each year, FAN EXPO hosts a literary conference, offers more than 400 hours of educational programming and provides hundreds of family-friendly activities.
