Anime Expos in California

There are dozens of animation festivals in California, reflecting the demographic -- approx. 60% of the Japanese American population lives California (34%) and Hawaii (26%). The majority of featured studios and presenters at the L.A. festival are from Japan where the animation industry consists of more than 400 production companies and the DVD market for anime products and content contributes nearly 70% of sales. Interest in anime continues to climb in California where more than 15 anime festivals and expos are hosted annually. Attendees often create their own costumes, spending up to 100 hours on a single outfit. Cities where you may find anime festivals include Sacramento, San Diego, Anaheim, Pasadena, Ontario, Burlingame and Lancaster.

LONG BEACH: Animé Los Angeles January 9-12, 2025
Long Beach Convention Center
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
$, animelosangeles.org

BAKERSFIELD: Mouse-Con January 18, 2025
Kern County Fairgrounds
1142 P Street
Bakersfield, CA
$12, $5 parking, mouse-con.com
Dedicated to Disney memories and memorabilia, collectibles and comics

SAN JOSE: Further Confusion January 2026 TBA
San Jose Convention Center
San Jose, CA
$, furtherconfusion.org
Many attendees create characters of their own, and some even attend in costume as part of the furry community, a group of diverse people brought together by a shared interest in anthropomorphic animals. These are often animal or animal-themed characters in movies, cartoons, books, or comics.

COSTA MESA: California Comic Convention February 1-2, 2025
Anaheim Hilton
777 W. Convention Way
Anaheim, CA 92802
$30-80 approx., calcomiccon.com
Saturday 12-5 p.m.
Comic book Social at the Marriott 7-10 p.m.
Sunday  9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Vintage Comic & Comic art Dealers from all over the U.S.  CGC will be witnessing and taking Submissions, auction houses will be taking consignments Guest Artist will be Drawing, and signing comics and art.  With a focus on vintage comics and comic book art dozens of dealers from across the U.S. offer a large selection of items sought-after by collectors and investors. Special guests are Jim Steranko, Michael Golden, Joe Staton, Erik Larsen and Renee Witterstaetter.

CONCORD: East Bay Comic-Con February 2, 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Comic Convention with Fantasy
Concord Plaza Inn
45 John Glenn Drive
Concord, CA
$10-12, eastbaycomiccon.com
Contra Costa County's Biggest 1 Day Comic Book, Toy and Fantasy Convention features Special Comic Creator Guests and Celebrity Guests. Cool collectables to buy and lots of Far Out Costumes walking around offer an amazing day of fun for all the family. Also Free Parking across the street.

SAN FRANCISCO: Edwardian Ball January 31-February 1, 2025
Regency Ballroom
San Francisco, CA
$, edwardianball.com
Unique and riveting stage shows including live music, DJs, circus and theatre, Museum of Wonders, fine art and installations, a meticulously curated Vendor Bazaar, absinthe and a full bar (21+) and hot food served throughout the night.

PETALUMA: Lumacon February 1, 2025, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Petaluma Community Center
320 N McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA 94952
lumacon.net
LumaCon! is a comic convention for youth that celebrates creativity and literacy. Librarians of Casa Grande High School, Petaluma High School, and Petaluma Regional Library produce the event.

LA JOLLA: Animefest February 15, 2025, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
University of California San Diego, Price Center
3100 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA
animefest.ucsd.moe
Artist Alley, panels, main stage, Manga Library, Cosplay Masquerade. Workshop panels, buy the best artwork, and check out your favorite manga in manga library! Cosplays, festival games, and video games—all make for some otaku fun.

POMONA: Anime Impulse February 15-16, 2025
Fairplex
2118 N. White Ave.
Pomona, CA
$34.68 for 2 day pass, animeimpulse.com
$ parking
Enter the exciting new project fusing the world of Anime and Video Games. Celebrities, special guests, eSports, panels, cosplay, VIP parties, vendors, artist alleys, food, anime, manga, video games, and fandom with the likes of a massive Vendor Hall and Artist Alley.

STOCKTON: Stockton Con February 15-16, 2025
Stockton Arena
Stockton, CA
$20-30, stocktoncon.com
StocktonCon showcases outstanding artists in the San Joaquin Valley area, giving attendees the chance to experience Popular Culture  that includes Comics, Card Games, Video Games, Cards, Anime, Manga, Science Fiction, Toys, Television and Movies.

LOS ANGELES: Gallifrey One February 14-16, 2025
Science Fiction Convention
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
Los Angeles, CA
$147 approx., gallifreyone.com
Gallifrey One is the world's largest and longest-running annual Doctor Who convention. Founded in 1989, this event often sells out months in advance.

FRESNO:  Ani-Me Con March 15-16, 2025
Big Fresno Fairgrounds
1121 S. Chance Ave.
Fresno, CA
$10-30 approx., ani-me.com 
For anime fan, sci-fi fans, TCG players, gamers, vendors, artists, musicians, and the community.

SACRAMENTO: Comic Con March 22-23, 2025
Sacramento Convention Center
Sacramento, CA
$10, approx. sac-con.com
Featured guests, panels, costume contest and 2 full days of entertainment, education and escape.

ANAHEIM: WonderCon Anaheim March 28-30, 2025
Anaheim Convention Center
800 W. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802
comic-con.org
Amazing list of guests you won't believe.
 900+ exhibitors in a 412,000 square foot Exhibit Hall filled with comics, original art, toys, and merchandise from many popular artists, publishers, and retailers. Attendees can expect exclusive movie and television programming, panels featuring the top comics publishers in the country, anime, autographs, games, the Masquerade, and portfolio review.

ANTIOCH: Asahicon April 5, 2025
Antioch High School
700 West 18th Street
Antioch, CA
$10-20 approx., asahicon.org
Run by student entrepreneurs seeking to test their metal, this public event includes a panelists, a 45-vendor marketplace, a tabletop room, and more!

FRESNO: Anime-Nia Comic Con April 12-13, 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Fresno Fairgrounds. Industry Commerce Building Pavilion Location: 1121 S. Chance Ave., Fresno, CA. $, fresnofair.com

BURLINGAME: BABSCon April 18-20, 2025
Burlingame, CA
$75 weekend, approx., babscon.com
My Little Pony fan-run convention
Families can enjoy activities from story-telling with the talented voice actors behind their favorite character to games, art, cosplay, and more. BABSCon offers great programming for younger foals, colts, and fillies!

ROSEVILLE: SacAnime Roseville April 18-20, 2025
At The Grounds
800 All America City Blvd
Roseville, CA 95678
sacanimeroseville.com
SacAnime where Fans Come to Play  provides fun family friendly environment with top shelf entertainment at a reasonable price.

TORRANCE: Ani Fest April 19, 2025
Torrance Cultural Arts Center
3330 Civic Center Dr.
Torrance, CA 90503
$15 badge presale, anifest.org
One-day Anime Festival Convention where you can find all the great things of a convention. Meet and Greet all of your favorite Anisong performers, Industry Guests, Voice Actors & Actresses, and more. AniFest has over 100 Artists and Vendors Live Performers, Artists, Cosplayers, Food Vendors, and Anime Shops.

PASADENA:  Pasadena Comic-Con May 24, 2025 (new date)
Pasadena Convention Center
Pasadena, CA
$10-25, pasadenacomicandtoyshow.com
Cosplay, guest artists, vendor alley, panels and programs, action figures, celebrity appearances and more.

PASADENA: Monsterpalooza May 30-June 1, 2025
Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green St.
Pasadena, CA
$, monsterpalooza.com
Scifi and horror convention includes monsters, make-up demos, celebrity guests and costumes galore.

SAN JOSE: Faneme - By Fans, For Fans May 23-26, 2025
San Jose McEnery Convention Center
150 W. San Carlos Street
San Jose, CA   
$50-up, fanime.com
Highlights include: Exhibits | Artist Alley | Dealer's Hall | Gaming | Arcade Gaming | eGaming | Tabletop Gaming | Maid Cafe | Panels | Fan Events | Stage Zero | Video Programming | Black and White Ball | Cosplay Gatherings | Masquerade | Dance | FMV Contest | Game Show | Karaoke | MusicFest | Speed Dating | Swap Meet

BAKERSFIELD:  Bak-Anime 2025 TBA
Kern County Fairgrounds
Bakersfield, CA
bak-anime.com
Bak-Anime is an anime and game convention.

LOS ANGELES:  Los Angeles Anime Exp0
 July 3-6, 2025
Anime convention.
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA
$, anime-expo.org
100,000 fans play in L.A. with an anime like never before. Concerts, masquerade, Maid Cafe, Butler Cafe, AMV Competition and After Hours entertainment with bands, shows and more.

SAN MATEO: BayCon / Westercon 77 July 4-7, 2025
Scifi convention.
Santa Clara Marriott Hotel
Santa Clara, CA
$, baycon.org
BayCon is the largest science fiction and fantasy convention in the San Francisco Bay Area. Started in 1982, it has grown from a convention of 1,200 to averaging 2,100 people. 

SAN DIEGO: San Diego Comic-Con International July 24-27, 2025
Comic convention
San Diego, CA
comic-con.org
WonderCon 2025 welcomes David Dastmalchian, Mark Evanier, Danny Fingeroth, and Darick Robertson, joining Jim Lee, Sam Maggs, Dan Slott, Mark Waid, Jessica Fong, Matt Forbeck, Yaya Han, Todd McFarlane, Sean Murphy, Adam Nimoy, Brian Posehn, and Dan Veesenmeyer as special guests. Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (CCI-IFF) takes place during Comic-Con International.

SACRAMENTO: SacAnime August 29-31, 2025
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center and Memorial Auditorium
Sacramento, CA
$, sacanime.com
SacAnime is the show where Fans Come to Play in a fun, safe, family friendly environment, with top shelf entertainment at a reasonable price.
Highlights: Cosplay & Fashion | Masquerade | Cosplay Gatherings | Hall Cosplay | KPOP Battles | JPOP Battles | Music | Cafe Hoshi | AMV Contest | Art Contests | Art Entries | Art Winners | Panels and Workshops | CCG Tournaments | Table Top | Console Gaming | Karaoke Room | Viewing Room | Artist Alley | Indie Zone | Swap Meet

LONG BEACH: Long Beach Comic Con August 30-31, 2025
Long Beach Convention Center
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
$33.85-71.21, longbeachcomiccon.com
A celebration of comic books and pop culture showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. Exhibitors and vendors booths, entertaining and educational programs, guest signings, and meet & greet sessions with celebrities make this annual event one to see and the place to be.

CONCORD: Creatures Con August 2025 TBA
Crowne Plaza
Concord, CA
$, creaturescon.com
Dedicated to the world of TV Horror Hosts, Classic and Camp Sci-Fi and Horror Film

SAN DIEGO: San Diego Comic Fest October 2025 TBA
 San Diego, CA
$, sdcomicfest.org
Friendly comic convention with a casual atmosphere and an intimate scale that allows fans to mingle directly with professionals and exhibitors. Highlights include: panel discussions, guest programs, an artist alley, tabletop gaming, cosplay, steampunk, an exhibitor hall full of your favorite comics, books, toys, and collectibles.

BAKERSFIELD: Bakersfield Comic-Con November 23-24, 2024, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2025 TBA
Kern County Fairgrounds
1142 S. P Street
Bakersfield CA.
$, bakersfieldcomiccon.com

 

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.