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.

SACRAMENTO: SacAnime January 4-6, 2020
Cal Expo
Sacramento, CA
$21-up, 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

SAN DIEGO: Cos-Losseum is a past event
Meet cosplayers and celebrities from all genres of fandom. Anime, Movies, Fantasy, Comic books, Sci-Fi, COSPLAY

LONG BEACH: Long Beach Comic Expo January 11-12, 2020
Long Beach Convention Center
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
$55-60 weekend pass, longbeachcomicexpo.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.

ONTARIO: Animé Los Angeles January 9-12, 2020
Ontario Convention Center and Doubletree Ontario Airport Hotel
Ontario, CA
$, animelosangeles.org

ONTARIO: Ani Fest X January 9-12, 2020
Ontario Convention Center and Doubletree Ontario Airport Hotel
Ontario, CA
$, anifest.org
New one-day Anime Festival Convention where you can find all the great things of a convention but with a matsuri twist.

POMONA: Anime Impulse January 18-19, 2020
Fairplex Exposition Complex
2705 Fairplex Drive
Pomona, CA
$, animeimpulse.com
$ parking, gate 17 lot
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, and kawaii fashion from the runway stage offer casual fans and otakus a place to gather and indulge in fandom.

SAN JOSE: Further Confusion January 16-20, 2020
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.

SAN FRANCISCO: Edwardian Ball January 24-25, 2020
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 January 25, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lucchesi Center
320 N McDowell Blvd.
Petaluma, CA 94954
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.

PASADENA:  Pasadena Comic-Con January 19, 2020
Pasadena Convention Center
Pasadena, CA
pasadenacomicandtoyshow.com

COSTA MESA: California Comic Convention January 26, 2020, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Westin South Coast Plaza
686 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 
$, calcomiccon.com
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 9, 2020
Comic Convention with Fantasy
Crowne Plaza Inn
45 John Glenn Drive
Concord, CA
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.

LA JOLLA: Animefest February 15, 2020
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

LOS ANGELES: Gallifrey One February 14-16, 2020
Science Fiction Convention
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
Los Angeles, CA
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.

SAN DIEGO: San Diego Comic Fest March 5-8, 2020
Four Points by Sheraton
Aero Drive
San Diego, CA
$15-up, 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.

FRESNO:  Ani-Me Con March 21-22, 2020
Big Fresno Fairgrounds
Fresno, CA
ani-me.com  | cons

SACRAMENTO: Comic Con March 22, 2020
Cal Expo
Sacramento, CA
$10, approx. sac-con.com

LOS ANGELES: Insanime Spring Break April 2, 2020
Globe Theatre
740 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA
 $20-$40, animeimpulse.com

ANAHEIM: WonderCon Anaheim April 10-12, 2020
Anaheim Convention Center
comic-con.org

BURLINGAME: BABSCon April 10-12, 2020
Hyatt Regency SFO
Burlingame, CA
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!

ANTIOCH: Asahicon April 18, 2020
Antioch High School
Antioch, CA
$10, 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!

ANAHEIM: NostalgiaCon, World's First Epic Reunion of the Icons and Pop Culture Legends of the 1980s. Event moves to Miami April 25-26, 2020
nostalgiacon80s.com

VENTURA: Ventura Toy and Comic Expo May 3, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
450 E Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
$10, pasadenacomicandtoyshow.com
Artist Alley, full vendor and exhibitor hall, special celebrity guests, a gaming room, a full panel/programming schedule, and activities/contests!

PASADENA: Monsterpalooza May 8-10, 2020
Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green St.
Pasadena, CA
$30-75, monsterpalooza.com
Scifi and horror convention includes monsters, make-up demos, celebrity guests and costumes galore.

WEST SACRAMENTO: City of West Sacramento Intergalactic Expo May 17, 2020
110 W. Capitol Ave.
Scifi, game, and cosplay convention.
West Sacramento, CA
westsacexpo.com
Family Friendly event celebrating Sci Fi, Fantasy and Pop Culture

SAN MATEO: BayCon May 22-25, 2020
Scifi convention.
San Mateo Marriott Hotel
San Mateo, CA
$85 approx., baycon.org
Marketplace features Dealer's Room, Art Show and Exclusive Prints. Panels, gaming,  dances, Makers Workshop to satisfy your DIY and costume repair needs, a room dedicated to the spaceship bridge simulator Artemis, and room parties, LARPs and other events in the evening.

SAN JOSE: Faneme - By Fans, For Fans May 22-25, 2020
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 May 30-31, 2020
Kern County Fairgrounds
Bakersfield, CA
bak-anime.com
Bak-Anime is an anime and game convention.

PASADENA: Robo Toy Fest June 7, 2020
Pasadena Convention Center
Pasadena, CA
$10-up, pasadenacomicandtoyshow.com
CelebWorx's Gregg Berger, William Shewfelt (Saban's Power Rangers Ninja Steel), Keone Young (GI Joe) and Dan Gilvezen (TransFormers / GI Joe).

SARATOGA: Campbell Con June 13, 2020 at Circus Circus in Reno, NV
campbellcon.com

LOS ANGELES:  Los Angeles Anime Exp0
 July 2-5, 2020
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 DIEGO: San Diego Comic-Con International July 23-26, 2020
Comic convention
San Diego, CA
comic-con.org

PLEASANTON: Powerhouse Comic Con July 26, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Comic and cosplay convention
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave.
Pleasanton, CA
$11-17, powerhousecomiccon.com

POMONA: Animanga July 31-August 2, 2020
Fairplex
1101 W McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA
$15-up, animangausa.com
Animanga features cosplay, competitions, gaming, vendors, amusement, panels, performances and more. The convention focuses on Japanese popular culture, primarily anime and manga, as well as gaming and other forms of animation.

SAN JOSE: Crunchyroll Expo September 4-6, 2020
San Jose McEnery Convention Center
150 W. San Carlos Street
San Jose, CA   
$75-105, crunchyrollexpo.com
Three days of exhibits, screenings, panels, and guest appearances Japanese and American personalities. Celebrate  anime, manga, games and cosplay. Manga is a form of Japanese narrative art that has grown over the centuries to become a global phenomenon in the post-World War II era. Initially referring to graphic novels and comics, manga has expanded beyond its original forms to include animation, fashion, and new media.

CONCORD: Creatures Con August 9, 2020
Crowne Plaza
Concord, CA
$15, creaturescon.com

STOCKTON: Stockton Con August 15-16, 2020
Stockton Arena
Stockton, CA
stocktoncon.com

SACRAMENTO: Sac Anime September 4-6, 2020
Cal Expo
Sacramento, CA
sacanime.com

LONG BEACH: Long Beach Comic Con September 5-6, 2020
Long Beach Convention Center
Ocean Ave.
Long Beach, CA
$65-up, longbeachcomiccon.com
Fun, fun, fun but also a working convention in which artists and talents and mix, mingle and make connections. Vendor showcase is massive, and there are plenty of photo sessions with great looking costumed actors.

SAN JOSE: Silicon (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con) October 16-18, 2020
San Jose Convention Center
San Jose, CA   
svcomiccon.com
Robotics, science & tech, celebrities, creators, cosplay, performance and aesthetic programming in 2020 make this an exciting development in the Bay Area universe. 

PASADENA: Toon Con October 18, 2020
Pasadena Convention Center
Pasadena, CA
pasadenacomicandtoyshow.com

ROSEVILLE: Comic Con October 25, 2020
At The Grounds
800 All America City Blvd
Roseville, CA 95678
rosevillecomiccon.com

CONCORD: Mouse-Con November 8, 2020 (double check date as this falls on a Thursday)
Concord CA.
mouse-con.com

PASADENA: Pacific Media Expo November 21-22, 2020
Convention Center
Green St.
Pasadena, CA
pacificmediaexpo.org

BAKERSFIELD: Bakersfield Comic-Con Nov. 21-22, 2020, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Kern County Fairgrounds
1142 S. P Street
Bakersfield CA.
$16 approx., bakersfieldcomiccon.com

POMONA: Insanime at Asian American Expo January 16, 2021
animeimpulse.com
Anime fans, senpais, kouhais, cosplayers and gamers all around, INSANIME is taking its Halloween thrills to summertime delights with an anime party

SAN MATEO: southcitycomiccon.com South City Comic Con (NEW LOCATION)
September

BERKELEY: Anime Destiny
University of California, Berkeley - Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union
Berkeley, CA
calanimedestiny.com

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