If you’re ready and raring to get back to the in-person action when it comes to comic book, toy & gaming conventions, then you’ll definitely want to check out this list of cool cons happening in the coming months!
Hickory Comic Con (NC)
Date: May 22nd
Location: Hickory Metro Convention Center
Features:
Vendors/Merchandise, Artists, Cosplay Contests, Photo Ops
(One of our Favorite Cons)!
Hickory Con 2019
Website
Facebook Page
ConCarolinas 2021 (NC)
Date(s): June 4th-6th
Location: Hilton Charlotte University Place
Features:
Guest Speakers/Panels, Game Rooms, Film festival, Cosplay Contest, Music/Entertainment
20th Anniversary!
Website
Facebook Page
Spartanburg Comic Con (SC)
Date: June 12th
Location: Fairgrounds
Features:
Comics, Toys, Games, Art, Cosplay
Facebook Page
Fayetteville Comic Con 2021 (NC)
Date(s): June 19th & 20th
Location: Crown Complex Convention Center
Features:
Photo Ops, Celebrity Autographs, Vendors, Cosplay, Gaming, Panels
Website
Facebook Page
Southeast Game Exchange (SC)
Date(s): July 10th & 11th
Location: Greenville Convention Center
Features:
“Gaming Focused” Convention
Vendors, Special Guests, Panels, Tournaments, Cosplay, Arcades
(One of our Favorite Cons)!
SEGE 2017
SEGE 2018
Website
Facebook Page
Wilkes Comic Con (NC)
Date: July 17th
Location: The Stone Center for Performing Arts
Features:
Artist Alley, Panels, Gaming/Tournaments, Vendors, Cosplay, Comics, Toys
(Our Hometown Con)!
Website
Facebook Page
GalaxyCon Raleigh (NC)
Date(s): July 29th-August 1st
Location: Raleigh Convention Center
Features:
VIP Events, Celebrity Photo Ops/Autographs, Panels, Cosplay, Vendors
(Mix of in-person & virtual celebrity experiences)
Website
Facebook Page
Smoky Mountain Fan Fest (TN)
Date(s): July 31st-August 1st
Location: Gatlinburg Convention Center
Features:
Vendors, Artists, Charity Auction, Cosplay Contest, Photo Ops, Panels, VIP Passes
Website
Charlotte Comicon (NC)
Date: August 1st
Location: Concord Convention Center
Features:
Comics, Toys, Vendors, Cosplay, Artists, Special Guests
Website
Greenville (NC) Comic Con 2021
Date: August 7th
Location: Greenville Convention Center
Features:
Comics, Cosplay, Artists, Writers
Website
FarleyCon Comic Book Expo (TN)
Date: August 14th
Location: Camp Jordan Arena
Features:
Comic Books, Collectible Toys, Artists, Authors, Crafts, Guests, Charities, Vendors
Buy, Sell, & Trade!
Website
Incredible Con (SC)
Date(s): September 18th & 19th
Location: Charleston Convention Center
Features:
Pop Culture Con!
TV/Film Stars, Anime Actors, Cosplayers, Artists, Crafters, Authors,
Panels, Gaming, Contests
Website
Power ComiCon (SC)
Date: September 25th
Location: Florence Center
Features:
Special Guests, Comics, Toys, Artists, Cosplay Contest
Facebook Page
BrickUniverse Raleigh (NC)
Date(s): September 25th & 26th
Location: Raleigh Convention Center
Features:
LEGO Fan Expo!
Vendors, Artists, Massive LEGO Displays
Website
Banzaicon (SC)
Date(s): October 8th-10th
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia
Features:
Japanese Animation & Gaming Con!
Artists, Panels, Vendors, Gaming Rooms/Arcades, Cosplay, Special Guests
Website
Fanboy Expo’s Knoxville Comic Con (TN)
Date: October 29th-October 31st
Location: Knoxville Convention Center
Features:
Celebrity Guests, Photo Ops/Autographs, Cosplay, Vendors, Live Entertainment
Website
Facebook Page
Grand Ole Gameroom Expo (TN)
Date(s): October 29th-31st
Location: Wilson County Expo Center
Features:
Free to Play Arcade & Pinball Games, Modern & Retro Consoles/Games,
Esport Tournaments, Tabletop Gaming, Special Guest Panels, Vendors
Largest Video Game Event in TN!
Website
Soda City Comic Con (SC)
Date(s): October 30th & 31st
Location: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Features:
Special Guests, Cosplay Contests, Comic Book & Toy Vendors, Artists
Website
Upstate POP Expo (SC)
Date(s): November 13th & 14th
Location: Greenville Shrine Club & Event Center
Features:
Special Guests, Artists, Vendors, Games, Anime, Comics, Toys, Cosplay
Kids Under 10 get in Free!
Sponsored by Richard’s Comics & Collectables
Website
Memphis Comic & Fantasy Convention (TN)
Date(s): November 12th-14th
Location: Memphis Marriott East
Features:
Hands-On/Interactive Activities, Cosplay, Special Guests, Vendors
Details/Schedule – TBA
Website
Facebook Page
Oak City Comicon Raleigh (NC)
Date(s): 4th Quarter 2021
Location: TBA
Features:
Comic Books, Toys, Cosplay, Exhibits, Panels, Workshops
Sponsored by Ultimate Comics & NC Comicon
Website
Retro-Toy Con (SC)
Date(s): November 19th-21st
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville
Features:
VIP Ticket Options, Celebrity Guests, Panels, Cosplay, & Toy Vendors
Details/Schedule- TBA
Website
CharlestonCon (SC)
Date: November 20th
Location: Embassy Suites Hotel
Features:
Vendors, Artists, VIP Ticket options, Comic Books, Toys, Apparel, Games,
Cosplay, Wrestling, Celebrity Meet & Greet, Sports Cards
Website
Facebook Page
YamaCon (TN)
Date(s): December 10th-12th
Location: LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge
Features:
Anime & Comic Convention!
Special Guests/Autograph Ops, Exhibits, Games
Details/Schedule – TBA
Website
Facebook Page
Coming 2022
Here’s a few additional cons already in the planning stages for 2022. Keep up with the latest details about each through their individual websites/Facebook pages.
Ichibancon (NC)
Date(s): January 13th-16th
Location: Embassy Suites Hotel (Concord)
Features:
4-day Anime Convention
Vendors, Video Showings, Artists, Tabletop Games, Panels, Cosplay Contests
Website
Con Nooga (TN)
Date(s): February 18th-20th
Location: Chattanooga Convention Center
Features:
Guests, Artists, Authors, Gaming, Entertainment, Contests, Cosplay, Panels
Website
Triad Anime Con (NC)
Date(s): March 18th-20th
Location: Benton Convention Center/Embassy Suites
Features:
Special Guests, Panels, Artists, Cosplay, DJ’s, Workshops, Vendors
Website
Facebook Page
Playthrough 2022
Date(s): March 2022
Location: Raleigh Convention Center
Features:
NC’s Largest Gaming Convention!
Schedule/Details TBA
Website
Facebook Page
South Carolina Comic Con
Date(s): April 9th & 10th
Location: Greenville Convention Center
Features:
Artist Alley, Vendors, Special Guests, Comics, Toys, Cosplay
SC’s Largest Comic/Pop-Culture Con!
Website
Animazement (NC)
Date(s): May 27th-29th
Location: Raleigh Convention Center
Features:
Guests, Panels, Cosplay, Artists, Vendors, Autograph Sessions
Anime, Concerts
Japanese Animation & Culture Con!
Website
Facebook Page
HeroesCon 2022 (NC)
Date: June 2022 (40th anniversary)
Location: Charlotte Convention Center
Features:
Artists, Special Guests, Vendors, Panels
Website
Nashville Comicon (TN)
Date(s): June 4th & 5th
Location: Fairgrounds Nashville
Features:
Vendors, Comic Books, Artists, Celebrity Guests
Website
Cosplay America (NC)
Date(s): June 24th-June 26th
Location: Embassy Suites (Cary, NC)
Features:
Workshops, Guest Panels, Contests, Vendors, All Things Cosplay!
Website
If you’re planning to travel in/through the NC, SC, or TN areas, be sure to check out the fantastic comic book & game stores listed below.
NC Stores:
Hero Clash Collectibles
Timmy Mac’s Comics & Games
Video Game World
Red Fox Gaming
Game Haven
Rebel Base Comics & Toys
Ssalefish Comics
Limited Run Games Flagship Store (Opening Fall 2021/Cary, NC)
SC Stores:
Richard’s Comics & Collectables
Computers Plus
The Video Game Cavern
1UP Video Games
G2K Games
2nd Player Video Games
Borderlands Comics and Games
TN Stores:
2 Dudes Gaming
Also, don’t forget to mark your calendar for this year’s Free Comic Book Day on August 14th. More details, here.
Sources: Comic Con websites/Facebook pages, Comic Book Day website
