FanimeCon takes place on the last weekend of May in downtown San Jose, filling the area with colorful cosplay and Japanese pop culture celebrations. The convention returns May 22–25, 2026, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center for a Memorial Day weekend event. It began in 1994 as a small campus gathering and has been based at the convention center since 2004. Organizers estimate the event contributes more than $10 million annually to the local economy. Programming runs 24 hours a day across the weekend, featuring the Masquerade cosplay competition, the Black & White Ball, Artist Alley, Dealer’s Hall, gaming tournaments, J-Fashion shows, panels, and karaoke. Guests include voice performers, a Japanese director, a musical artist, a VTuber, and professional cosplayer VampyBitme.
"FanimeCon returns May 22-25, 2026, to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center for its Memorial Day weekend takeover - now in its fourth decade and still running on the same philosophy it started with: by fans, for fans."
"Born in 1994 as a small campus gathering at what is now Cal State East Bay, the convention has called San Jose McEnery Convention Center home since 2004 and contributes an estimated $10 million-plus annually to the local economy, according to organizers."
"Programming runs 24 hours a day across the weekend. The Masquerade - the convention's flagship cosplay competition - draws some of the most elaborate craftsmanship you'll see anywhere, while the Black & White Ball gives attendees a chance to actually dance."
"This year's guests include voice performers Ai Nonaka and Emi Lo, Japanese director Hiroshi Nagahama, musical artist ALI, VTuber Mint Fantôme and professional cosplayer VampyBitme, among others. The Artist Alley, Dealer's Hall, gaming tournaments, J-Fashion shows, panels and karaoke can swallow an afternoon - or a whole night - without warning."
Read at Metro Silicon Valley | Silicon Valley's Leading Weekly
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