When most people think of conventions, they think of travelling for work and drinking substandard coffee with generic quote-unquote industry types. Thankfully, the US has reinvented the convention. Now it’s much more focused on having fun and, as you might expect from such a diverse country, there’s something to suit everyone. So, let’s run through 12 of the craziest conventions that you can attend next year in the US.
If you don’t want to save all your spooks for the Fall, then why not pick up the newest scare concepts at this New Orleans event at the start of the year? You’ll have nine months to prepareyour costume for Halloween.
For readers of fantasy-romance books, this Daytona Beach getaway allows you to interact with authors and fellow readers alike at panels, meet and greets, and discussion groups. Be sure to take a good book for the plane. Just kidding, we know you’ll take two.
Whether it’s your job or you’re just clowning about, this Albuquerque convention is the place to be if you like coloured hair, red noses, and white face paint. Probably not if you have coulrophobia though.
This Dallas-based convention seems like the ultimate way to get away from it all with five full days of yoga classes, plus a movie night, a banquet, and a talk from Abhijata Iyengar, a gifted yoga teacher and granddaughter of one of the most well-known Yogis in the world.
This is a pop culture convention for everyone, covering genres as diverse as comics, sports, fantasy, and horror. At the event in Grayslake, you can get celebrity autographs, take part in costume contests, and learn how to draw your favourite characters with thousands of other pop culture fans.
This is Maine’s first, largest, and longest-running geek culture convention, which brings together people who love science fiction, steampunk, and the furry lifestyle. Yes, it’s a furry-con.
Are you ready for Christmas in July? Hopefully, the answer is yes, because ChristmasExpo will be heading to an as-yet-unannounced location in the US to show you how to decorate ready for the holidays and make your display memorable for years to come. They pull out the big guns with light shows and music, but they also have DIY-classes for those who prefer a tamer display.
Disney fans from all over the world will travel to Anaheim, the home of Disneyland, to celebrate the past, present, and future of the House of Mouse from TV to films to the theme parks. Best of all, fan favourites, like the Disney Legends Awards and the Mousequerade costume contest, are returning to the convention in 2019.
Whether you’re a fan of the show or just into drag culture, this three-day New York convention will allow you to meet some of Drag Race’s winners and celebrate drag in art and pop culture.
It’s time for witches, wizards, and muggles to get into the Halloween spirit at thispopular annual Harry Potter Convention, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Boston. This magical weekend will feature talks from the stars of the films, music from your favourite wizard rock bands, and intense discussions about controversial fan theories.
Japanese pop culture will take over New York in November, with extensive panels and exclusive screenings to satisfy even the biggest manga and anime fans.
One of the world’s largest auto shows, featuring the most exciting things on four wheels, returns to LA. Here you can learn about the latest tech or try out the latest rides before anyone else.
If you want to attend any of these conventions, then the best advice is to arrange your trip asap, before tickets can sell out and hotel/flight prices can increase. You’ll also need time to apply for your US ESTA, easily applied for through www.application-esta.co.uk/, and your passport if it’s not still in date. Have fun!
