FanimeCon anime convention in San Jose

FanimeCon opened Friday, May 22, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center for a four-day Memorial Day weekend gathering centered on anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. The fan-run convention is scheduled through Monday, May 25, and its official site lists panels, guests, gaming, cosplay gatherings, artist exhibits and music programming. Badge pickup and registration are being handled at The Hub on the Parkway level of the convention center at 150 W. San Carlos St., according to the event’s registration FAQ. ### When is FanimeCon running, and where is it taking place? FanimeCon’s official homepage lists the 2026 event dates as May 22-25 in San Jose. The convention is centered on the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, and FanimeCon’s downtown information page says the event is staged in the surrounding downtown San Jose area as well. The registration FAQ gives the main attendee services location as The Hub, Parkway street level, San Jose Convention Center, 150 W. (fanime.com) San Carlos St., San Jose. Thursday pickup was limited to prepaid badges, while Friday through Sunday pickup runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday pickup runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the FAQ says. ### What can attendees actually do once they are inside? (fanime.com) FanimeCon’s official schedule says the event includes panels, guest sessions and programming that is updated online and in the convention app. The site says the online schedule is the most up to date version for attendees checking changes during the weekend. The panels listing includes guest question-and-answer sessions and spotlights with Ai Nonaka, Yuriko Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Nagahama, Emi Lo, Khoi Dao and ALI, along with fan-run presentations, contests and workshops. (fanime.com) The same listing also shows industry programming, including sessions tied to Dark Horse Comics and Central Computers. Cosplay Gatherings are also back this year, according to FanimeCon’s gatherings page, which describes fandom meetups built around photo opportunities and community hosts. (apps.fanime.com) A separate page for the Black & White Ball says the formal dance is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at 6 p.m. ### How much do tickets cost at this point? FanimeCon’s registration FAQ lists the current full-weekend badge price at $105 through 11 a.m. on May 25. (fanime.com) At-con prices are listed as $70 for Friday, $75 for Saturday, $75 for Sunday, $65 for Monday and $90 for a half-weekend badge covering Sunday and Monday. Children 10 and under are free with a paid badge, according to the same FAQ. (fanime.com) The convention says a child must be present for pickup and may be registered online or on site. ### Where do Artist Alley and shopping fit into the weekend? Artist Alley is located in Room 220 of the San Jose Convention Center, according to FanimeCon’s Artist Alley page. The posted hours are 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday. (fanime.com) The Artist Alley overview says attendees can expect illustrated prints, doujinshi and costume accessories from hundreds of artists. (fanime.com) FanimeCon’s artist map page also publishes a table-by-table list of participating artists for this year’s event. ### How should attendees keep track of changes during the weekend? FanimeCon’s grid schedule says its official schedule data was updated early May 22 and notes that the online schedules are “always the most up to date.” The site also points attendees to the official FanimeCon app for live schedule access. (fanime.com) The convention’s schedules page links readers to the pocket guide, full program guide and separate listings for events such as cosplay gatherings, video programming and the Black & White Ball. (fanime.com) FanimeCon is scheduled to continue through Monday, May 25, with registration open until 11 a.m. that day for the full-weekend badge option listed in the FAQ. (fanime.com) (apps.fanime.com)