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Vancouver’s Fan Expo Pop Culture Convention

Fan Expo Characters in Costume

Fan Expo Vancouver is a celebration of superheroes, science fiction, comic books, anime, and all things fandom at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The Vancouver event takes place this year on the Family Day Long Weekend each year. 2023 dates are February 18th, 19th and 20th.

Fan Expo is a local version of San Diego’s Comic-Con. It’s a great event, especially for people who like anime, comics, superheroes and other forms of fan culture.

 

This article contains the following information about Fan Expo Vancouver:

Where and When | Admission Rates and Tips | What to Expect | Fan Expo Video | Special Guests | Other Information

 

Canadian Comics at Fan Expo Vancouver
Comic Books at Fan Expo Vancouver

 

Fan Expo Vancouver

Fan Expo is a convention where superhero, anime, gaming and other kinds of pop culture fans get to dress in costume and stock up on DC, Marvel and other kinds of comics. It’s also a chance for attendees to buy collectibles and meet some of their favourite actors, artists and creators. It’s an awesome event!

 

For tickets and the event’s official website click Vancouver Fan Expo 2022.

 

Where and When

Fan Expo Vancouver happens at the Vancouver Convention Centre in the West Building in Halls B and C. In 2022 it was on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of February 19th to 21st (which also happened to be the Family Day Long Weekend).

The event usually runs from 10 am until 7 pm on the Saturday, from 10 am until 5 pm on the Sunday and from 10 am to 5 pm on the Monday. The Vancouver Convention Centre is located at 1055 Canada Place in downtown Vancouver.

 

Toy Vendor at Vancouver Fan Expo
Vancouver Convention Centre

 

Fan Expo Admission

Tickets to Fan Expo Vancouver vary in cost depending on when you go and how you buy your tickets.

One-day early-bird passes start at about $32 for adults, $22 for teenagers and $12 for kids (ages 6-12). Three-day passes start at about $79. Family passes for a single day for 2 adults and up to 4 children start at around $69. (These prices were all as of about a month before the event in 2022. Closer to the date rates go up slightly, so book your tickets early if you can.)

Kids’ passes were $12 for the 2022 event, regardless of when you bought them (although online service charges do apply.) For adults though, tickets are usually cheapest on the Monday, most expensive on the Saturday, and around $5 or so extra when purchased after early February.

Below were posted prices as of February 5th, 2022, for tickets purchased online. (Note: Prices and conditions are subject to change.)

  • Children (ages 6-12): $12 (regardless of the day)
  • Youth (ages 13-17): $27 (regardless of the day)
  • Adults (ages 18+)
    • Saturday Passes: $45
    • Sunday Passes: $42
    • Monday Passes: $37
  • Families (of 2 adults and up to 4 children)
    • Saturday Passes: $99
    • Sunday Passes: $89
    • Monday Passes: $79
  • 3-Day Passes: $89

The above were what the ticket prices were as of February 5th, 2022. Prior to that date, all tickets for adults, youth and families cost between $5 and $10 less than the listed price above.

 

For tickets and the event’s official website click Vancouver Fan Expo 2022.

 

 

Clue Solvers at Fan Expo

 

Tips & Important Things to Know

Below are some things to know regarding admission policies and ticket prices.

  • Taxes and online fees are extra.
  • All sales are final and tickets are non-transferable.
  • Don’t buy a three-day pass for children as three single-day tickets for kids costs half the price of a regular adult three-day pass.
  • The Fan Expo website has a printable coupon that is valid for up to two child passes! If you plan on taking a child to the expo, click that link to save some money!

 

Vancouver Fan Expo Guest Speakers
Guest Speakers at Fan Expo

 

What to Expect

At Fan Expo Vancouver you can expect to see lots of convention goers in costume. There are Star Wars characters and superheroes everywhere! You can also expect to see thousands of other guests who love everything from superhero comics to Star Trek, Japanese anime, science fiction and other forms of pop culture.

Women, families and people of all ages also attend Fan Expo, and many people choose to dress up in fun cosplay as well. It’s not a requirement, but if you have a fun costume then this is the place to wear it!

At the convention there are celebrity photo and autograph opportunities, special Star Wars events, Q & A panel discussions, workshops, seminars and even Geek Speed Dating sessions. There are also vendors selling everything from comics to costumes, action hero figurines, posters, souvenir clothing and game supplies.

In the Family Zone there is a variety of interactive exhibits. In recent years there have been Science World shows, a Harry Potter sorting hat ceremony, an indoor snowball fight, the ability to design your own Mario level and much more. Fan Expo is great for adults, but also for kids and their families.

 

Vancouver Mysteries

 

VANCOUVER SUPERHERO GAMES!

If you are looking for other things to do while dressed up in your superhero costumes, consider playing a game of Heroes & Villains with Vancouver Mysteries. Vancouver Mysteries is an outdoor adventure game company where you can play games in the streets of downtown Vancouver. With Heroes & Villains you get to save the city from the Muck Monster!

 

Fan Expo Video

To give you an idea of what to expect at Fan Expo, check out the following video. It’s of the event in 2020 (so before people had to wear masks due to COVID-19).

As you’ll see in the video, the Convention Centre is full of people, characters in costume, and vendors selling everything from art to comics, collectibles and toys. It’s a fun event with lots to do and see.

 

 

Special Guests

Every year Fan Expo features a number of special guests. Typically they are science fiction and action movie actors. The guests participate in talks and are available for photos and autographs. Some are at the event all weekend at various times, but others for only one or two days.

Special guests appearing at the event in 2022 are listed below. (Note: Guests and days scheduled to appear are subject to change. See the official Fan Expo website for the most up-to-date details).

  • William Shatner (Captain Kirk) – from Star Trek (appearing Saturday and Sunday).
  • Ming-Na Wen (Fennec Shand) – from The Mandalorian (appearing Saturday).
  • John Paul Tremblay (Julian) – from Trailer Park Boys (appearing all three days)
  • Mike Smith (Bubbles) – from Trailer Park Boys (appearing all three days)
  • Robb Wells (Ricky) – from Trailer Park Boys (appearing all three days)

 

Jack Sparrow at Vancouver Fan Expo

 

Other Information

For more information about the event see the Vancouver Fan Expo website.

To learn about similar events in Canada’s largest city, see the articles about Fan Expo Canada or Toronto Comicon on the Toronto’s Best Places website.

For ideas about other things to do in the Lower Mainland check out the following: