Home Vancouver Monthly Calendar Festivals and Events in Vancouver in 2023 Vancouver’s FAN EXPO Pop Culture Convention

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 were 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.

For tickets and full details, visit the official fanexpohq.com website.

 

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

 

Vancouver Comic & Toy Show

 

FAN EXPO Vancouver

FAN EXPO Vancouver 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!

 

Where and When

FAN EXPO Vancouver usually happens at the Vancouver Convention Centre in the West Building in Halls B and C. In 2023 it was on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of February 18th to 20th (which also happens to be the Family Day Long Weekend). The event’s dates in 2024 are likely going to be February 17th to 19th, although exact details are to be confirmed.

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

 

For the event’s official website click FAN EXPO Vancouver.

 

Toy Vendor at Vancouver Fan Expo
Vancouver Convention Centre

 

FAN EXPO Vancouver Admission

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

Single-day advanced passes in 2023 started at about $33 for adults, $23 for teenagers and $12 for kids (ages 6-12). Three-day passes started at about $80. Family passes for a single day for 2 adults and up to 4 children began at around $71. Prices increased on February 4th at 12:00 am, so it’s always good to book your tickets early if you can.

Kids’ passes were $12 for the 2023 event, regardless of when you bought them. For adults though, tickets are usually cheapest on the Monday and most expensive on the Saturday. They were also $5 or so extra when purchased after February 3rd in 2023.

Below are posted prices as of January for 2023 tickets purchased online. (Note: Prices and conditions are subject to change.)

  • Children (ages 6-12): $12 (regardless of the day)
  • Youth (ages 13-17): $23 (regardless of the day)
  • Adults (ages 18+)
    • Saturday Passes: $43
    • Sunday Passes: $38
    • Monday Passes: $33
  • Families (of 2 adults and up to 4 children)
    • Saturday Passes: $96
    • Sunday Passes: $81
    • Monday Passes: $71
  • 3-Day Passes: $89

 

For the event’s official website click FAN EXPO Vancouver.

 

Canadian Comics at Fan Expo Vancouver

 

Tips & Important Things to Know

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

  • Taxes and online fees are extra.
  • Don’t forget that kids under 5 get in free and that there are family passes available.
  • The FAN EXPO Vancouver 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 Vancouver, 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 and seminars. There are also vendors selling everything from comics to costumes, action hero figurines, posters, souvenir clothing and game supplies. Other programming in 2023 included the following:

  • Floor Is Lava
  • Jurassic Park Dino Dig and Crafts
  • Crime solving with the Vancouver Police Museum
  • The Pokémon Trainer Town (with a bunch of different activities inside)
  • PokeMonday (where you’ll find more information about it here).

In the Family Zone there is a variety of interactive exhibits. FAN EXPO Vancouver 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 Vancouver, check out the following video. It’s of the event in 2020.

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 2023 are listed below. (Note: Guests and days scheduled to appear were subject to change. See the official FAN EXPO website for the most up-to-date details).

  • Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) – from Star Wars.
  • Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen) – from Arrow (appearing Saturday).
  • Anson Mount (Captain Christopher Pike) – from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (appearing on Sunday and Monday).
  • Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) – from Harry Potter (appearing Sunday).
  • Jonathan Frakes (Commander William Riker) – from Star Trek: The Next Generation (appearing Sunday and Monday).
  • Brent Spiner (Lieutenant Commander Data) – from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
  • Sarah Natochenny (the voice of Ash Ketchum) – from the animated Pokémon show.

 

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: