The Calgary Expo 2026 weekend will draw more than 100,000 pop culture fans to the BMO Centre at Stampede Park for four days of comics, sci-fi, anime, gaming, horror, and celebrity appearances. Running from Thursday, April 23 to Sunday, April 26, 2026, the annual event remains one of North America’s largest celebrations of fandom.
This year’s show promises a packed schedule with panels, autograph sessions, photo ops, cosplay events, Artist Alley, and hundreds of vendor booths. Organisers also say the expo is making use of the expanded BMO Centre, giving fans more room to explore.
Among the biggest draws this year is a Lord of the Rings reunion featuring Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd. William Shatner, Anthony Daniels, Temuera Morrison, Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Alyssa Milano, Bonnie Wright, Brent Spiner, and several other fan-favourite stars.
Special events include “An Evening with the Hobbits” and a wide range of celebrity panels and photo opportunities. The expo also features strong programming for Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Smallville, gaming, anime, and horror fans.
One of the weekend’s biggest public events is the POW! Parade of Wonders, Canada’s largest cosplay parade. Organisers have scheduled it for Friday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m. The parade will move through Calgary before ending at the BMO Centre Grand Staircase.
The expo also appeals to families. Children aged 6 to 12 can enter free with a coupon on select days, while children aged 5 and under do not need a pass. Cosplay showcases, shopping, and family-friendly entertainment all form part of the weekend lineup.
Organisers encourage visitors to buy tickets in advance, download the official mobile app, and review the show floor plan before arriving. They also note that the venue does not accept cash, so fans should be ready to pay by card or mobile payment.
Event hours run from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. With over 750 retailers, Artist Alley, and celebrity sessions on the schedule, planning ahead could make a big difference.
