Pop culture universe: From outer space and ninja turtles to anime and cosplay, FAN EXPO has it all
Lightsabers, starships, superheroes and anime icons will all share the same orbit when FAN EXPO Cleveland transforms the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland into a pop-culture universe this coming Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15.R2D2 and young guest at FAN EXPO.Throughout the weekend, the convention center’s halls will fill with costumed fans portraying their favorite characters—from Jedi and Starfleet officers to anime heroes and comic book legends—turning downtown Cleveland into a living showcase of pop culture fan creativity.
The three-day convention is expected to draw thousands of fans to Cleveland for celebrity appearances, panel discussions, cosplay showcases, gaming, comic creators, and immersive fan experiences—celebrating everything from blockbuster films and television to anime and animation.
Headlining this year’s event are two stars from some of science fiction’s most beloved franchises: William Shatner, the legendary Captain James T. Kirk from “Star Trek,” and Hayden Christensen, who portrayed Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones” and “Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith.”
Together, Shatner and Christensen lead a lineup that spans generations of film, television, and animation fandom—making the annual FAN EXPO Cleveland event one of the Midwest’s largest gatherings devoted to pop culture.
The 2024 Cosplay Contest at FAN EXPO Cleveland.Spanning generations and genresFans will find a wide range of other celebrity guests who will appear throughout the weekend.
Among them are James Marsters, known for his role as Spike on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel;” Cary Elwes, star of “The Princess Bride;” and Helen Hunt, known from the television hit “Mad About You” and the blockbuster films “Twister” and “As Good as it Gets.”
Science-fiction fans will also recognize Jonathan Frakes and Cuyahoga Falls native Gates McFadden from “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” while comedy fans can meet Thomas Lennon and Cedric Yarbrough from “Reno 911!”
Fans of the classic “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” films will find plenty of nostalgia at the convention, where several actors from the original movies are scheduled to appear together.
The lineup includes Judith Hoag (April O’Neal), Ernie Reyes Jr. (Donatello), Brian Tochi (the voice of Leonardo), Robbie Rist (voice of Michelangelo), Kenn Scott (Raphael), and François Chau (Shredder).
Anime many waysAnime will take center stage during the weekend with voice actors representing major franchises such as “My Hero Academia,” “One Piece,” “Dragon Ball,” and “Demon Slayer.”
Among the voice actors scheduled to appear are Eric Vale, Luci Christian, Monica Rial, David Matranga, Sonny Strait, Ian Sinclair, and Griffin Burns.
Fans can attend anime panels and meetups, and participate in trivia and games inside Anime HQ, along with themed attractions such as IdolFest, which celebrates pop idol culture, and the Itasha Showcase, which features anime-themed cars and motorcycles.
Cosplay at FAN EXPO 2023.Something for everyoneAside from the celebrity appearances, FAN EXPO Cleveland will have a packed convention floor and a packed weekend filled with comic creators, artists, cosplay showcases, gaming areas, and fan panels covering nearly every aspect of pop culture.
The events take place at Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland 44114 on Friday, March 13, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additionally, there are extra after-hours events throughout the weekend. Refer to the Fan Expo schedule throughout the weekend to plan activities during normal event hours.
Single-day tickets are $40 for Friday ($35 for youth ages 13-17), $61 for Saturday (youth tickets are sold out Saturday), and $50 for Sunday ($45 for youth); tickets for children ages 6-12 are $12 each day. Family passes are also available.
Three-day passes are $94; the Ultimate Fan Package is $134; and the VIP Package is $339.
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