With Icons from Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Hollywood, Comic Books and More

Programming Announced with New Mark Hamill Stage Session, Cast Reunions, Legendary Panel Team-ups, Fan Community and Family Fun

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 23, 2026) – Stars, stories, and fandom collide this month when FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition takes over the Anaheim Convention Center from June 26–28, 2026. With something epic in store for any pop culture aficionado, fans have two opportunities to see Star Wars icon Mark Hamill on stage, can spend an evening with Hobbits, and meet favorites across popular film, TV, gaming, animation, anime, and comic universes.

FAN EXPO HQ, the largest producer of comic con events in the world, is bringing its signature experience that connects fans to pop culture and each other to Southern California for the first time. From Middle-earth to a Galaxy far, far away, the FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition lineup offers an action-packed weekend for fans of all types and all ages. With so much to see and experience, check the OFFICIAL SCHEDULE* for a full day-by-day listing. Highlights include:

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 26 HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

  • Voices of Video Gaming: Legends behind the Controller (6 p.m.) & Resident Evil: Voices from Racoon City (7 p.m.) 

Hear from legendary voices who’ve shaped favorite video games, and the voices behind Resident Evil’s most iconic characters: Nick Apostolides (“Leon S. Kennedy”), Delanie Nicole Gill and Eden Riegel. 

  • Pop Culture Trivia with Toonuki Lab (8:30 p.m. at The Poppy at The Hilton Anaheim): Free for all FAN EXPO Anaheim and Vidcon attendees, test your pop culture knowledge along with other attendees in this interactive after-hours meetup!

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 27 HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • The Villains of Batman the Animated Series panel with Mark Hamill (“The Joker”), Paul Williams (“The Penguin”), and legendary writer Paul Dini (5 p.m.)

 

  • Supernatural: Hunters, Angels and Legends (3 p.m.): Cast favorites reunite onstage to celebrate the legendary series and relive favorite memories.

 

  • Believe It! The Naruto Voice Actor Q&A (3 p.m.): This moderated Q&A features one of the largest gatherings ever of the voices behind the beloved anime franchise, including the voice of “Naruto Uzamaki,” Maile Flanagan. 

 

  • Star Wars Live Action: From the Set to the Galaxy (Noon): Behind-the-scenes stories from the prequels, The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, and more!

 

  • Voices of Your Favorite Saturday Cartoons (11 a.m.): Hear stories from voice actors who defined an era, from classic shows like He-Man, She-Ra, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Smurfs, and more.

 

  • Creator Xplosion (doors at 6 p.m. outside the Anaheim Convention Center): A one-night crossover event from FAN EXPO Anaheim and VidCon packed with live art, creator energy, and fandom fun. Comic creators and digital artists go head-to-head in unforgettable rounds of live art while incredible hosts keep the party going. See the lineup of creators and comic artists HERE. Access is included with any FAN EXPO Anaheim and VidCon badge.

 

SUNDAY, JUNE 28 HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years (4 p.m.): Part variety show, part storytelling session celebrating a quarter-century of The Lord of the Rings, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan reunite for a lively mix of behind-the-scenes memories, on-stage antics, heartfelt reflections, and plenty of laughs.

 

  • An Unforgettable Conversation with John Rhys-Davies (3 p.m.): Castmate John Rhys-Davies (“Gimli”) shares behind-the-scenes stories from his roles in The Lord of the Rings and the Indiana Jones franchise.

 

  • Panel of Doom! Invader Zim 25TH Anniversary Q&A (1 p.m.): This moderated Q&A and cast reunion will look back at the moments and memories that made the animated Nickelodeon show a cult classic, with Richard Horvitz “Zim,” Rikki Simons “Gir,” Melissa Fahn “Gaz,” Wally Wingert “Tallest Red,” writer Eric Trueheart and creator Jhonen Vasquez. 

 

DAILY JUNE 26-28 (CHECK SCHEDULE FOR DAYS/TIMES)

  • Ultimate cast reunions and pairings abound, including the stars of Supernatural, Naruto, the Star Wars franchise, Invader Zim, Regular Show, Psych, Hocus Pocus, Resident Evil, and much more.

 

  • Meet nostalgia film and TV stars including Sean Astin and Corey Feldman (The Goonies); Jared Padalecki (Gilmore Girls, Supernatural); John de Lancie, Todd Stashwick and Denise Crosby (Star Trek), Richard Karn and Patricia Richardson (Home Improvement), Sam Jones and Brian Blessed (Flash Gordon) and animated favorites like the voices of “She-Ra,” “Skeletor” from He-Man and “Optimus Prime” and “Megatron” from Transformers, and many others from Star Wars, Batman: The Animated Series and more.

 

  • See the stars of Star Wars including Mark Hamill, Brian Blessed in his first and only U.S. convention appearance, Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian, Captain America: Brave New World), Ahmed Best (“Jar Jar Binks”), Omid Abtahi, Lateef Crowder and Brendan Wayne (The Mandalorian), as well as voices of animated favorites including Ashley Eckstein (Her Universe founder, “Ahsoka Tano”), Matt Lanter (“Anakin Skywalker”), James Arnold Taylor (“Obi-Wan Kenobi”), Sam Witwer (“Darth Maul”), Jim Cummings, and more!

 

  • Find unique photo ops and meet and greets like Peggy the Dog (“Dogpool”), Disney influencer TheDapperDanielle (FREE autographs and book signings), legendary comic creators, and more!

 

 

  • Check out interactive activities in the Community Zone like lightsaber training, free video gaming, Dungeons & Dragons play, minifigure painting, Cosplay Bingo, and more!

 

 

  • Fans star on the Cosplay Red Carpet (look for themed meetups throughout each day)! 

 

 

  • Stroll Artist Alley for custom art and collectibles to bring home, and watch comic artists face off for Sketch Duels, friendly high-energy art battles where fans have a chance to win the art!

 

 

  • A perfect family weekend destination, check out the Kids Cosplay Red Carpet (Sat.), Superhero Storytime, ghost busting, lightsaber training, D&D play, video gaming, a Millenium Falcon-themed inflatable, create a superhero mask, and take home memories with character photo opps including The Mandalorian’s “Din” and “Grogu”!

 

TICKETS & SCHEDULE

Single-day adult tickets start at $45; 3-day passes, child and family passes, and VIP packages are available at www.fanexpoanaheim.com. Tickets are also available for guaranteed seating at featured stage experiences.

 

There’s so much more to see and do – the latest schedule is available at: Schedule . 

 

*Schedule is subject to change. Check online or download the app for the latest. Please note that meet and greets and guaranteed seats at some panels may require a separate ticket.

 

FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition runs June 26-28, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center (800 W. Katella Ave.). Show hours are Friday 3 - 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., with a Special Preview on Friday at 1 p.m. for VIP, Ultimate, and 3-Day pass holders who purchase in advance. 

 

Fans can visit www.fanexpoanaheim.com or download the free FAN EXPO Anaheim mobile app for the latest schedule, updates, and guest announcements, and follow on Instagram, Facebook, and X at @FANEXPOAnaheim.

 

FAN EXPO ANAHEIM: SPECIAL EDITION MEDIA CONTACT: 
Laura Calliari

fanexpo@calliaricomms.com 

 

Accreditation applications now open for MEDIA and CREATORS.

 

ABOUT FAN EXPO HQ 

With over a million fans and counting, FAN EXPO HQ attracts pop culture enthusiasts, locally and internationally, to come together to celebrate all things fandom. Collectively it hosts more than one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Dallas, FAN EXPO Canada, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Boston, FAN EXPO Denver, CALGARY EXPO, FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, FAN EXPO Cleveland, FAN EXPO Vancouver, Toronto Comicon, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL, EDMONTON EXPO, FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition, and VidCon. The latest schedule of events is available here, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong.