Category Archives: Events and Conventions

Events and Conventions

The Annual Convention listing

The Annual Convention listing

With thanks to Lloyd Penny.

 Montreal area events are in bold and marked with *

Watch for virtual CanCon, probably in April. https://www.can-con.org/virtual-cancon

Check for updates during the year by clicking “conventions” in the left menu. To add an event to the list, contact <webmaster@monsffa.ca>

2026

January 3 – Peterborough Comicon, The Venue, Peterborough. www.popculturecanada.ca

January 4 – Aurora Comicon, Legion Branch 385, Aurora. www.popculturecanada.ca

January 10 – PokeKon Fest – Rochester 2026, RIT Inn & Conference Centre, Henrietta, NY.  pokekon.com.

January 10 – Hobbyverse Expo New Year’s Edition, Weplay Centre, Markham. https://www.eventbrite.com

January 11 – Ontario Collectors Con, Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale, Mississauga. https://www.ontariocollectorscon.com/

January 17&18 – Ottawa Comiccon Winter Edition, EY Centre, Ottawa. Free admission! https://ottawacomiccon.com/

January 18 – Collecticon, Carmen’s Event Centre, Hamilton. Hours: 9:30am-2pm. Admission: $5, $1 under 10. For more information, CollectiConCanada@gmail.com, or check Facebook or Instagram pages.

January 24 – Compasscon: Oakville, Galaxy 707 Club, Oakville. Hours: 10am-4pm. For more information, https://www.compassconevents.ca/compasscon-oakville

January 30 – February 1 – Magical ConFusion. Hotel, Novi Sheraton Michigan, Novi, MI. Guests: Maurice Broaddus, Megen Leigh, Sarah Goslee, Andrea Phillips, more https://2026.confusionsf.org/

January 31 – Action Figure Comic Con, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Toronto, https://actionfigurecomiccon.com/

January 31 – Belleville Comicon, Masonic (Temple) Hall, Belleville. Hours: 10am-3pm. Admission: $5 https://www.eventbrite.ca

February 1 – Bowmanville Comicon, Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, Bowmanville.  https://www.eventbrite.ca/

February 7 – Cobourg Comicon, Cobourg Community Centre, Cobourg. www.popculturecanada .

February 8 – Nerd Market 6, Hart House, University of Toronto. Hours: 12noon-4pm. For more information, check their Eventbrite page.

February 8 – Burlington Collectors Con, Holiday Inn Conference Centre, Burlington. www.ontariocollectorscon.com.

February 8 – Whitby Comicon, Heydenshore Pavilion, Whitby https://www.eventbrite.ca

February 13-15 – Motor City Furry Con, Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Centre, Detroit. Guests: Pandez, Quack Quack Honk https://motorcityfurrycon.org/

February 14 – East Gwillimbury Comicon, Gwillimbury Sports Complex, Sharon. www.popculturecanada.ca.

February 15 – Angus Comicon, Angus Recreation Centre, Angus. Hours: 10am-3pm. Admission: $5 in advance, $10 at the door. www.popculturecanada.ca.

February 15 – Durham Games and Comic Expo, Ajax Community Centre, Ajax. Hours: 11am-4pm. For more information info@vendorsmarket.ca.

February 16 – Collecticon, Carmen’s Event Centre, Hamilton. Hours: 9:30am-2pm. Admission: $5, $1 under 10. For more information, CollectiConCanada@gmail.com, or check Facebook or Instagram pages.

February 17 – Carleton Place Comic Con 2025, Carleton Place Arena, Carleton Place. Admissions: Non-perishable food donation or $2, children 12 and under free. For more information, look for their Facebook page.

February 28 – Niagara Falls Pop Culture & Collectibles Expo, Fireman’s Park, Niagara Falls, ON. Hours: 10am-3pm. For more information, info@vendorsmarket.ca.

March 1 – Ajax Comicon, Audley Recreation Centre/Sportsplex, Ajax. Hours: 10am-3pm. Admission: $5 in advance, $10 at the door. For more information, www.popculturecanada.ca.

March 8 – Niagara Anime-Fest, Sheraton Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls, NY. Guests: Greg Dulcie, Randy Pearlman, more. For more information, theniagaracon.com.

March 15 – Markham Geekcon, 7261 Victoria Park Ave., Markham. House: 11am-5pm. For more information, info@vendorsmarket.ca

March 20-22 – Toronto Comicon 2026, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto. https://fanexpohq.com/comicontoronto/

Furnal Equinox 2026 – Starbound Sabbatical, Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto. furnalequinox.com.

March 21 – Bolton Comicon, Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness, Bolton.www.popculturecanada.ca.

March 21-22 – Tora-Con 2026, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester. Anime convention. Guests: Chalk Twins, AJ Beckles, Anairis Quinones, Matt Shipman, Allegra Clark, Zeno Robinson, Matthew David Rudd, EarlCray Tea, ChibiTifa, Lutavia, Starfall Blade, Empathy Studios. For more information, toracon.org.

March 26-29 – Penguicon 2026, Westin Southfield Detroit, Southfield, MI. SF/open source coding convention. penguicon.org

March 28 – Hobbyverse Expo Spring Forward, Weplay Centre, Markham. hobbyverseexpo@gmail.com, or pages on Instagram and Eventbrite.

March 28 – Stratford Comicon, Best Western Plus Arden Park Hotel, Stratford. www.popculturecanada.ca

March 29 – Cambridge Comicon, Oriental Sports Club, Cambridge. www.popculturecanada.ca

April 3 – Collecticon, Carmen’s Event Centre, Hamilton. CollectiConCanada@gmail.com, or check Facebook or Instagram pages

April 3-5 – Anime Ottawa 2026, EY Centre, Ottawa. animeottawa.com.

April 4 – Kingston Comicon, Legion Branch 560, Kingston.www.popculturecanada.ca.

April 11 – Barrie Comicon, Eastview Arena, Barrie. www.popculturecanada.ca

April 17-19 FilKONtario 2026, Monte Carlo Inn & Suites, Markham. Guests: Mikey Mason, Tanya Huff, Debbie Gates & Wild Mercy. Filk convention. filkontario.ca.

April 18 – Compasscon: Cobourg, Cobourg Lions Community Centre, Cobourg. www.compassconevents.ca

April 25 – Sudbury Comicon, Garson Arena, Sudbury. www.sudburycomicon.ca

May 3 – Huntsville Comicon, Jack Bionda Area Floor @ Canada Summit Place, Huntsville. www.popculturecanada.ca.

May 9 – SDG Geek-Con 2026, Chesterville and District Arena, Chesterville, ON. For more information, check their Facebook page.

May 9 – Trenton Comicon, Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens, Trenton. www.sudburycomicon.ca

May 9 – Brantford Comic Con, Lions Park Arena, Brantford. Guests: Brian O’Halloran, Ming Chen, more. brantfordcomiccon.com.

May 9-10 – The Oddities & Curiosities Expo, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto. odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com.

May 16 – Orangeville Comicon, Orangeville Curling Club, Orangeville. www.popculturecanada.ca.

May 18 – Collecticon, Carmen’s Event Centre, Hamilton. CollectiConCanada@gmail.com, or check Facebook or Instagram pages.

May 22-24 – Anime North, Toronto Congress Centre and hotels, Toronto. animenorth.com.

May 23 – Napanee Comicon, Best & Bash Arena, Napanee. www.popculturecanada.ca.

May 24 – Tweed Comicon, Tweed Community Centre, Tweed. www.popculturecanada.ca.

June 6 – Parry Sound Comicon, Bobby Orr Community Centre, Stanley Cup Hall, Parry Sound.www.popculturecanada.ca.

June 7 – Bracebridge Comicon, Muskoka Lumber Community Centre, Bracebridge. www.popculturecanada.ca.

*June 12-14-Scintillation, Montreal, https://www.scintillation.ca/index.php

June 13 – Manitoulin Island Comicon, Little Current Recreation Centre, Little Current, ON. www.popculturecanada.ca.

June 19 – Midland Comicon, North Simcoe Sports Centre, Midland.www.popculturecanada.ca

June 20-21 – KW Comic-Con, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, Kitchener. Guests TBA  kwcomiccon.ca

June 26-28 – Nickel City Comic Con, Buffalo Convention Center, Buffalo. www.nickelcitycon.com.

June 27 – Brighton Comicon, Brighton & District Curling Club, Brighton. www.popculturecanada.ca

July 1 – Collecticon, Carmen’s Event Centre, Hamilton. Hours: 9:30am-2pm. Admission: $5, $1 under 10. For more information, CollectiConCanada@gmail.com, or check Facebook or Instagram pages.

*July 3-5 – Montreal Comiccon 2026, Palais de Congres de Montreal, Montreal. www.montrealcomiccon.com.

July 11 – Callander Comicon, Callander Community Centre, Callander. www.popculturecanada.ca.

July 11 – Rochester Anime-Fest, RIT Inn & Conference Center, Henrietta, NY. Guests: Greg Dulcie, Madeleine Morris, more. rochesteranimefest.com.

July 11-12 – Michigan Fantasy Festival, 28404 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI.  https://michiganfantasyfestival.com/

July 18 – FanaticCon Ottawa, Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, Ottawa.  https://www.fanaticcon.ca/

July 18 – Streetsville Comicon, Vic Johnston Community Centre, Mississauga. www.sudburycomicon.ca.

July 18-19 – Really Cool Comic Con, Dort Financial Centre, Flint, MI. www.reallycooolcomiccon.com.

August 1-2 – MiAnime Convention, Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, MI. www.michgananime.com

August 3 – Collecticon, Carmen’s Event Centre, Hamilton. CollectiConCanada@gmail.com, or check Facebook or Instagram pages

August 8 – Orillia Anime-Fest, Orillia Square Mall, Orillia. canadaanimefests.ca.

August 16 – Fenelon Falls Comicon, Fenelon Falls Community Centre, Fenelon Falls. www.popculturecanada.ca

August 22 – Stratford Comicon, Best Western Plus Arden Park Hotel, Stratford. www.sudburycomicon.ca.

August 23 – Cambridge Comicon, Oriental Sports Club, Cambridge. www.popculturecanada.ca 

August 27-30 – Fan Expo Canada 2026, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto. fanexpohq.com/fanexpocanada

August 27-31, 2026: LAcon V, the 84th WorldCon, https://www.lacon.org

August 28-30 – Ozokucon 2026, Bluewater Convention Center, Port Huron, MI. eventeny.com/events/ozokucon-23407/ .

August 29-30 – Port Credit Renaissance Faire, Port Credit Memorial Park, Mississauga. niagararenfaire@gmail.com, or pages on Facebook, Tiktok and Instagram.

September 5 – Barrie Comicon, Eastview Arena, Barrie.www.popculturecanada.ca.

September 7 – Collecticon, Carmen’s Event Centre, Hamilton. CollectiConCanada@gmail.com, or check Facebook or Instagram pages.

September 11-13 – Ottawa Comicon, Location TBA, Ottawa. ottawacomicon.com

September 12 – Kingston Comicon, Legion Branch 560, Kingston.www.popculturecanada.ca

September 13 – Peterborough Comicon, Peterborough Curling Club, Peterborough. www.popculturecanada.ca

September 26-27 – London Comic Con 2026, Western Fair Agriplex, London. For more information, see their Facebook page.

October 12 – Collecticon, Carmen’s Event Centre, Hamilton CollectiConCanada@gmail.com, or check Facebook or Instagram pages.

October 16-18, 2026 – CanCon, at the Brookstreet Hotel, Kanata https://www.can-con.org/live-cancon

October 18 – Whitby Comicon, Heydenshore Pavilion, www.popculturecanada.ca

October 22-25 – World Fantasy Convention, Oakland, California, https://wfc2026.org/

November 7 – Batawa Comicon, Batawa Community Centre, Batawa. www.popculturecanada.ca

November 7 – Detroit Retro Gaming Show, Southfield Pavilion, Southfield, MI. www.detroitretrogamingshow.com

November 8 – Lindsay Comicon, Victoria Park Armoury, Lindsay. www.popculturecanada.ca.

November 15 – Ajax Comicon, Audley Recreation Centre/Sportsplex, Ajax. www.popculturecanada.ca.

December 26 – Collecticon, Carmen’s Event Centre, Hailton.CollectiConCanada@gmail.com, or check Facebook or Instagram pages.

Events and Conventions, Gaming

FREE Draconis Festival at Cégep du Vieux Montréal

Draconis Festival at Cégep du Vieux Montréal

Draconis Festival is the biggest role-playing game event of Quebec. It offers more than a hundred role-playing game sessions for beginners or advanced players.  The event is totally free and open to all the diversity. The organization team is made entirely of volunteers and the role-playing games are offered by members of our excellent community.

Announcement of Festival, from the organizers

Hear ye, hear ye! We’re pleased to announce that the in-person 2024 edition of the Draconis Festival will be held on the weekend of October 18th – 20th, once more at the Cégep du Vieux Montréal! After the record-setting attendance of our 2023 edition, we’ll be making some changes to improve your experience this year. We’ll have all the regular activities you expect, with a few more surprises to boot!
To make sure you don’t miss anything, follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FestivalDraconis/
Discord: https://discord.gg/zfRJ3PHPma
You can also visit our website at www.festivaldraconis.ca/ and sign up for our newsletter.
To ask questions or to join our team as a volunteer or an organizer, you can send us a message on Facebook or Discord, or by e-mail at info@festivaldraconis.ca.
Spread the word! We want to see hoards of you this fall!
Events and Conventions

le shawicon: Un hommage à la culture populaire !

This weekend, February 25-26, in Shawinigan, Québec https://shawicon.ca/

Le Shawicon est un événement se voulant un hommage à la culture populaire québécoise mais également internationale. Durant 2 jours, les visiteurs auront l’opportunité de rencontrer des personnalités célèbres, de prendre des photos avec eux, d’obtenir des autographes ainsi que d’assister à des conférences.

Également sur place, plus d’une quarantaine de commerçants de divers horizons présenteront de la marchandise originale et exclusive. Le ShawiCon est l’occasion unique pour les gens de tous les âges de rencontrer les artisans de leur film, série et livre préféré.

De plus : réalité virtuelle, tournoi de jeux vidéo, retro gaming, tournoi de cartes et plus encore.

Events and Conventions

Concert avec la musique du film Superman – Samedi 25 mars 2023

Concert avec la musique du film Superman – Samedi 25 mars 2023

2023-03-25 @ 19 h 30 min – 22 h 00 min

22,00$ à 41,00$

De la planète Krypton à Smallville, de l’Air Force One à San Andreas, toutes et tous connaissent son nom… Superman ! La bande sonore haute en couleurs et nuances de cet opus original de 1978 composée par John Williams (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter) est une des plus réputées de l’univers musical cinématique.

Joignez-vous à l’OVMF et sa formation musclée de plus de 60 musiciens le samedi 25 mars 2023 pour un concert d’une force surnaturelle.

https://ovmf.qc.ca/event/concert-avec-la-musique-du-film-superman-1/

Events and Conventions

Montreal Mini-Con January 28 & 29, 2023

The Montreal Mini-Comiccon is back at Palais des congrès January 28 & 29, 2023. It features a shopping experience aimed at fans that are looking for all collectors of games, T-Shirts, comics, toys, statues, DVDs/Blu-rays, replicas and more.
The vast range of activities and interests represented at Montreal Comiccon draws attendees of all ages, from families with young children to teenaged fans to seasoned collectors.
🪅🪅🪅
FREE admission for all!
OPENING HOURS!
✔️Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
✔️Sunday, January 29, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
More info to come!

Events and Conventions

Le mini Comiccon de Montréal au Palais des congrès les 28 et 29 janvier 2023.

Le mini Comiccon de Montréal est de retour au Palais des congrès les 28 et 29 janvier 2023. Le mini Comiccon est un événement destiné aux amateurs de culture populaire. Il s’agit d’une occasion unique de dénicher des articles uniques, entre autres des T-shirts, des « comic books », des jouets, des figurines, des DVD ou Blu-ray, ou encore des répliques.
La diversité des activités et des thèmes abordés au Comiccon de Montréal attire un public de tous les âges, des jeunes familles aux collectionneurs aguerris en passant par des adolescents passionnés.
🪅🪅🪅
L’entrée est GRATUITE pour tous!
HEURES D’OUVERTURE!
✔️Le samedi 28 janvier 2023 de 11 h à 19 h
✔️Le dimanche 29 janvier 2023 de 11 h à 17 h
Plus d’info à venir!
___
Events and Conventions

Worldcon Bid Lineup Changes

Worldcon Bid Lineup Changes

Bidding to host the World Science Fiction Convention is a process which takes years of effort, which makes it unavoidable that plans will change and bids will occasionally be abandoned altogether. The current pandemic has helped to accelerate the churn. After multiple recent changes, this is how the lineup looks:

The only bid for 2024 remains Glasgow, UK, although recent moves toward another independence referendum have some asking whether it will still be in the UK by then. The current proposed date for the referendum is October 19, 2023 (subject to approval by the UK’s top court), making it unlikely that Scotland would be able to disentangle itself by the planned Worldcon in August 2024 even if the referendum is held and passes.

The only currently active bid for 2025 is Seattle, Washington, USA. A competing bid for Brisbane, Australia went silent last year and is widely believed to be aiming at 2028 now, though its website and Twitter feed still say 2025.

For 2026, a bid for Nice, France has dropped out and one for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has retooled to bid for Cairo, Egypt instead (no website or social media available yet). It has now been joined by a new bid for Los Angeles, California, USA.

The lone contender for 2027 at this time is Tel Aviv, Israel.

In 2028, the rumored bid for Brisbane is joined by a confirmed one for Kampala, Uganda. If successful, it would mark the first Worldcon in sub-Saharan Africa­ in fact, if not for the sudden switch from Jeddah to Cairo for 2026, it would have been the first announced bid for a Worldcon anywhere in Africa.

2029 is occupied only by a marker for a return to Dublin, Ireland, the site of the 2019 Worldcon.

 

Events and Conventions

Imaginales à Épinal : “Le festival tel qu’il a existé pendant vingt ans est mort”

Imaginales à Épinal : “Le festival tel qu’il a existé pendant vingt ans est mort”

https://www.telerama.fr/livre/imaginales-a-epinal-le-festival-tel-qu-il-a-existe-pendant-vingt-ans-est-mort-7011532.php

Dans une interview au site ActuaLitté, le 8 juillet dernier, Stéphane Wieser met en avant la nécessité d’ouvrir le festival à d’autres médias que le livre (jeux vidéo, films…) et à des littératures plus diversifiées. Il parle aussi de « professionnalisation » du festival.

Fondé en 2002, le festival Imaginales est l’un des premiers salons internationaux de littérature de l’imaginaire. https://www.imaginales.fr/

https://www.cheryl-morgan.com/?p=29085

Grâce à des amis de la France (principalement Alitte de Bodard et Lionel Davoust), j’ai appris que le nouveau maire, Patrick Nardin, a licencié Stéphanie Nicot, le directeur créatif du festival, et de nombreux autres membres du personnel partent en signe de protestation.

To read more in English, view Cheryl Morgan’s Musings here.

Sounds oh so familiar. I actually remember a spokesperson for Montreal’s Comic-Con bragging about turning a fan run event into a real professional one with a HUGE attendance. Success for some people is measured by profits.

https://actualitte.com/article/106712/politique-publique/les-imaginales-doivent-evoluer-pour-preparer-demain-stephane-wieser?r=s9ol3&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Events and Conventions

August Events in our area

August Events in our area

*August 5 – 7, 2022 – MONTREAL, QC, A convention for readers of SF, https://crossingscon.org/

*August 5 – 7, 2022-MONTREAL, QC, Otakuthon, https://www.otakuthon.com/2022/home/

August 12-14 – When Words Collide & Canvention 42 – ONLINE This year the festival is once again online and free to attend, including the Aurora Awards ceremony. Registration via Eventbrite is required.  https://www.whenwordscollide.org/

August 25-28, 2022 – Fan Expo, Toronto, ON, https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpocanada/

*August 5 – 7, 2022 – MONTREAL, QC, A convention for readers of SF, https://crossingscon.org/

*August 5 – 7, 2022-MONTREAL, QC, Otakuthon, https://www.otakuthon.com/2022/home/

August 12-14 – When Words Collide & Canvention 42 – ONLINE  This year the festival is once again online and free to attend, including the Aurora Awards ceremony. Registration via Eventbrite is required.  https://www.whenwordscollide.org/

August 25-28, 2022 – Fan Expo, Toronto, ON, https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpocanada/