Fan Expo Dallas took place from May 30 to June 1 at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas. What began in October 2002 as DallasComicCon,amodest two-day gathering at Plano Centre drawing roughly 5,000 fans, blossomed into Fan Expo Dallas, one of the region’s premier pop culture conventions.
Founded by industry veterans Ben Stevens, Philip Wise and Mark Walters, it quickly expanded into neighboring Richardson, later landing at Irving Convention Center from 2011 to 2013. By 2014, the event settled at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, after Informa’s acquisition.
Attendance soared past 50,000 that year and surpassed 100,000 with the 2016 rebrand to Fan Expo. Notably, this lineage builds on Dallas’s earlier passion for fan gatherings like the Dallas Fantasy Fair (1982–1995), echoing its spirit of celebrity guests and artist alleys.
Headliners for this year' s event included Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, John Cena, Priscilla Presley, SethGreen,JohnBoyega, Gabriel Iglesias and evenHueyLewis,spanning multiple entertainment eras. The convention floor overflowed with creativity, Star Wars cosplayers, especially Mandalorians, Ghostbustersprotonpacks, comic-art mash-up, and Battlestar Galactica fans. Fans raved about the quality and effort of the costumes.
From emotional reunions, Back to the Future icons to heartfelt mother-daughter encounterswithPriscillaPresley, to comedic interludes with Gabriel Iglesias, Fan Expo cultivated vivid, memorable moments. With over 500 exhibitors, the sprawling dealer tables and bustling Artist Alley reminded attendees of the show’s roots in art and collectibles.
Social media buzz and onsite interviews emphasized camaraderie, nostalgia and respect, with fans calling the environment “unforgettable” and 'amazing' despite crowds. Geared toward families and pop culture fans of all, it has something for everyone. With all the items encompassing comics, horror, gaming, anime, cosplay, it ensured there was always something to pique the curiosity of the pickiest person..
Though organizers addressed bottlenecks in previous years, the packed halls still demand careful planning, buying early, utilizing maps and lining up strategically, perhaps even using the mobile app. Fan Expo Dallas 2025 solidified its status as Dallas’s flagship pop culture event, with over 70,000 visitors and 500+ vendors, it’s a full-scale, immersive experience.
Beyond commerce and cosplay, it offers genuine moments, parents sharing fandom, nostalgic throwbacks and laughter with celebrity icons.
Mark your calendar because Dallas Fan Festival returns October 4–5, 2025, at Irving Convention Center, followed by Fan Expo Dallas next September 11–13, 2026. Whether you're a seasoned cosplayer, die-hard collector or casual fan, this show is worth planning for, with better strategies to avoid crowds and make the most of those autographs and panels.
Here are some tips for future attendees: get VIP passes or a three-day pass for best access, map your day and plan panels and vendor visits carefully, come early for big-name guest ops and use the official app and maps to avoid missing key moments. In essence, Fan Expo Dallas remains a vibrant, joyous gathering for pop culture lovers, anchored in history, pulsing with creativity and evolving through each edition's highs and crowds alike. It’s more than a convention; it’s a weekend of shared fandom, friendship and fandomfueled memories.