It’s August, and that means one major thing for gamers: It’s time to attend the FAN EXPO Canada exhibit! Later this month, tens of thousands of pop culture geeks will flock to Toronto to attend the largest comics/sci-fi/anime/gaming exhibit in the country and the third-largest pop culture event in North America. The expo started as a niche comic book convention that attracted a few hundred locals into a multi-faceted, multi-day event that attracts enthusiasts from across the globe (as well as some amazing celebrity guests)!
Before you go, here is everything you need to know about FAN EXPO Canada 2024.
What is FAN EXPO Canada?
The expo is Canada’s largest pop culture convention for anyone who’s into comics, sci-fi, horror, fantasy, anime, cosplay, and gaming. Expect four days of family-friendly activities, shopping, celebrity meet and greets, and photo ops. Check out the celebrity panels to get autographs from your fav celebs and receive inside scoops about beloved movies and TV shows! Watch professional comic artists battle it out in our popular sketch duels, learn from our “How To” workshops, and take photos with cosplay characters!
When and where is FAN EXPO Canada 2024?
The expo takes place from Thursday, August 22 to Sunday, August 25, 2024, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (steps away from Union Station).
Show Hours: Thursday 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. A special preview will take place on Thursday at 2 p.m. for VIP, Ultimate, and four-day pass holders who purchase in advance.
FAN EXPO Canada 2024 Highlights
Get the perfect pic with your fav celebrity guests taken by a professional photographer! Each photo op includes one 8×10 printed photo, but you can bring up to three friends and share the cost of the photo op (additional prints and/or JPEGs are available for purchase). The cost of the photo depends on the celebrity. Meet your fav cosplayers! Crafters, builders, and master cosplayers will be around all weekend, so be sure to drop by the Cosplay Corner to meet them. Comic lovers can meet a bunch of legendary comic book creators and browse through hard-to-find comics at the Comic Creator area next to Artist Alley.
For an added cost, Ghost Machine addicts can sup with industry giants Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Francis Manapul, Peter Tomasi, Jason Fabok, and Brad Anderson over dinner. Reserve your seat at the Maid Café — this event is the perfect place for fans of all ages to experience a little bit of Akihabara-style culture. This experience includes your choice of coffee or tea, a kawaii meet and greet with the maids, a short stage performance, games, and more!
There will also be a ton of sci-fi- and fantasy-fueled interactive experiences, including lightsaber battles (fans are given “combat-ready sabers” for a safe and fun experience) and sci-fi & fantasy cosplay meetups (from Star Wars and Doctor Who to House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings). Gamers can do everything from challenge professional gamers in the XBOX PC Game Pass Arena, participate in the Bell Esports Challenge tournament series (designed to develop the amateur Esports community), play arcade favs in the Princess Margaret Quest to Conquer Cancer experience (with proceeds going to cancer research), and more!
What celebrities will attend FAN EXPO Canada 2024?
Meet up with your fav celeb guests this year, including cast members from the Trailer Park Boys, Blue’s Clues, Charmed, Letterkenny, Seinfeld, Firefly, and Gotham, as well as voice actors from One Piece, Pinky & the Brain, and Spy x Family.
Special guests include Alan Tudyk, Andrew Herr, Ashley Eckstein, Ben McKenzie, Bryce Dallas Howard, Butch Hartman, Cameron Monaghan, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Danny Trejo, Dolph Lundgren, Donovan Patton, Dylan Playfair, Emily Swallow, Evan Stern, Felicia Day, Giancarlo Esposito, Gina Carano, Helen Hunt, Holly Marie Combs, Jason Priestley, John Cleese, John O’Hurley, John Rhys-Davies, Joonas Suotamo, Josh Dela Cruz, Josh Gad, K. Trevor Wilson, Kate Siegel, Larry Thomas, Marisa Tomei, Michelle Mylett, Mike Flanagan, Morena Baccarin, Nathan Dales, Neil Newbon, Patrick Warburton, Phil Morris, Rosario Dawson, Rose McGowan, Toronto-raised actor Simu Liu, Sofia Boutella, Steve Burns, Tara Strong, Temuera Morrison, Tyler Johnston, Wayne Knight, and more!
Where to eat at FAN EXPO Canada 2024
As the Metro Toronto Convention Center is located right downtown by Union Station, there are tons of restaurants of various cuisines within walking distance.
When is the best time to attend FAN EXPO Canada 2024?
Any day is perfect, but Saturday and Sunday will likely attract the most crowds as that’s when most exhibits, celeb panels, and cosplay events will take place. The opening day will also give fans a preview of what to expect and allow them to explore the venue.
How to get to FAN EXPO Canada 2024
Transit: Exit at Union Station, walk west on Front Street to the North Building, access the SkyWalk to enter the South Building OR when you reach Union Station, follow the SkyWalk to either the North or South Building.
Customers purchasing tickets to Fan EXPO Canada can now purchase an add-on GO Transit ticket, which will offer a seamless travel experience in one transaction — this includes an add-on 4-day round-trip fare for only $40 to help fans save and enjoy the event without the hassle of driving.
GO Transit Adult tickets:
- 4-DAY GO Transit Ticket Fare – $40.00
- Thursday Adult GO Transit Fare – $15.00
- Friday Adult GO Transit Fare – $15.00
- Saturday Adult GO Transit Fare – $10.00
- Sunday Adult GO Transit Fare – $10.00
GO Transit Youth tickets (Ages 13-17):
- Thursday Youth GO Transit Fare – $10.00
- Friday Youth GO Transit Fare – $10.00
- Saturday Youth GO Transit Fare – $10.00
- Sunday Youth GO Transit Fare – $10.00
Kids 12 and under can ride the GO transit for free. Riders can also transfer for free with one fare between GO Transit and TTC.
Car: From Toronto Pearson International Airport, take Highway 401 East to Highway 427 South. Follow Highway 427 South to the Gardiner Expressway.
To reach the North Building, exit at Spadina Avenue, proceed north on Spadina Avenue, and turn right on Front St. Turn right on Simcoe St. then turn right into the garage.
To reach the South Building, exit at York St. Proceed north two lights to Bremner Blvd. Turn left on Bremner Blvd. Turn left on Lower Simcoe St. then turn right into the garage.
