Geek Out for Christmas: Holiday Fandom Festivals You Cannot Miss
Fandom doesn't take a vacation!
Does fandom take a holiday? Never! Holidays are a great time for fandoms to rev up, not down. Festivals and conventions happen all year round–but what about holiday specific ones? We found some that you must put on your list for the holiday season! Let us know in the comments about your favorite holiday fandom festivals!
ChristmasCon
If you love Hallmark holiday movies, you simply must try to attend ChristmasCon! Every year, you have the opportunity to meet and greet the legends of Hallmark Christmas: the actors and actresses that you love seeing year after year in new holiday films. But that’s not all: there are fun panels, interactive fan events like Ugly Sweater Contests and games with the stars, bespoke concerts, and of course special merch from independent artisans.
Hallmark Christmas Cruise
A convention floor not your thing? Looking for a bit more adventure? Maybe on…the high seas? Look no further than the Hallmark Christmas Cruise! Every November you can set sail with some of your favorite Hallmark holiday movie stars, complete with photo-ops, panels, even an exclusive Hallmark holiday movie premiere of an all-new movie.
Fellowship of the Fandoms Christmas Con
At the Oviedo Mall in OIviedo, FL, you can celebrate the holidays and your fandom at the Fellowship of the Fandoms Christmas con. This fantasy convention is a one day holiday celebration, and is open to all wizards, adventurers, mythical creatures, heroes, villains and more (wands, swords, and battle axes welcome!). You’ll find cosplay fun, a fandom-inspired vendor market where you can find the perfect gift for the fantasy fan in your life, and photo-ops and activities.
Holidays Made Here
Gilmore Girls fans rejoice: the Warner Bros. backlot–aka Star Hollow–is open at the holidays. The studio’s iconic Midwest Street town square is dressed as the town in the beloved show, gazebo and all, with one extra twist: it’s decorated for Christmas. (Can you smell the snow yet?) You can purchase snacks and coffee, check out real from-the-show props and costumes (like iconic snow woman Bjork), participate in trivia and costume contests, and take a studio tour. If you’ve ever wanted to take a snow walk through Stars Hollow like Lorelai and Rory, this special event in December is your chance to do just that.
Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival
Head to downtown Akron in November for their annual coffee festival–with a fun fandom bent: it’s Gilmore Girls-themed! Come for an array of coffee vendors offering their best (including Gilmore-inspired drink creations) and the vendor market featuring handmade art, crafts, and merch inspired by the show. But stay for the cast meet and greets–in recent years attendees have been able to take photos with and grab autographs with some Gilmore Girls former cast members! The festival has been growing every year, so it will be moving to a bigger location in 2025.
Nerdy Little Christmas
Looking for a gift for the nerdy fans in your life? The perfect place to find one might be at Nerdy Little Christmas in Mirimichi, New Brunswick, Canada. At this Christmas festival put on by the Miracon Festival Association, you’ll find tons of convention vendors selling all kinds of nerdy merch for fans of sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and anime. Plus there are opportunities for free pictures with Santa, a craft corner, cookies and candy canes, and giveaways.
Big Apple Comic Con Holiday Con
Big Apple Comic Con (BACC) has been serving comic fans for 28 years. Their annual Holiday Con is a must for any comic fan! With dozens of exhibitors–including authors and artists–as well as the location of this event at the legendary art deco New Yorker Hotel, there’s something for everyone!
Gathering of Kingdoms Holiday Market
Love all things fantasy fandom? There’s a holiday festival market for you! This Toledo, OH holiday market from Gathering of Kingdoms is all about fandom-related trinkets and gifts to buy from small businesses, cosplay, fantasy author meet and greets, and yes…Santa makes an appearance! Gathering of Kingdoms has more local events during other parts of the year. The owners of the company are big fans of Labyrinth, and realized that fantasy fandom cons and other events tend to miss the Midwest. Their mission is to bring immersive, fun events to Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and other Midwest states that are often overlooked by bigger conventions.
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