Over 50,000 fans of comics, technology and science, television and film, custom art, and over-the-top cosplay will gather for the ninth annual celebration of geek culture at Awesome Con. The iconic three-day pop culture convention presented by LeftField Media returns to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 5, 2022. The convention will feature hundreds of hours of programming including: celebrities and experts hosting panels, signings and exclusive reveals; cosplay fashion shows; gaming tournaments; acclaimed pop culture memorabilia collections; and as always, a diverse array of activities for the entire family.
This year, Awesome Con is excited to announce a lineup of top-tier headliners including Anthony Daniels (Star Wars), Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad), Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Star Trek: Discovery’s Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets) and Wilson Cruz (Hugh Culber), and Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings, The Goonies, Stranger Things). Among guests confirmed to appear, Awesome Con is proud to welcome other celebrity and comic creators including Sylvester McCoy, Sweeney Boo, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Sean Schemmel, and Christopher Sabat to this year’s lineup, with additional guests still to come.
Awesome Con is teaming up with ACE Universe for the first-of-its-kind co-location, The ACE Experience, which will feature initial guests from Marvel’s Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings stars Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Meng’er Zhang (Xialing) and Florian Munteanu (Razor Fist).
The fan-favorite, Pride Alley, presented in partnership with Geeks OUT and Metro Weekly, returns this year with its largest slate of programming ever, including additional panels, special events, and curated experiences that spotlight LGBTQ creators and fans. The wildly popular feature Science Fair will also be bigger than ever with four divisions of NASA represented among other science-centric exhibitors. Fans will be able to attend events in two brand new programming tracks featuring content exploring both the Earth and the heavens, Science Fair TERRA and Science Fair COSMOS.
Family-friendly programs take over Awesome Con Jr., which returns with playful events planned to educate and entertain the young and the young at heart. Back by popular demand is the Awesome Con Jr. Movement Zone, where Awesome Con’s littlest fans can shake a leg during Saber Guild Kid’s Lightsaber Training, Kid’s Yoga, and the Kid’s Costume Parade. Young aspiring artists can also engage with and learn from professional artists in Awesome Con Jr. Workshops, where creativity and coloring is highly encouraged.
The Awesome Con Short Film Festival, which debuted seven years ago by artist Joe Carabeo will showcase indie short films from around the world.
Awesome Con will be following local and CDC guidelines in order to provide fans with a safe event. Proof of vaccination is not required to attend the event at this time and face coverings for Awesome Con are optional. Fans who are not vaccinated are encouraged to continue wearing masks while indoors as recommended by the CDC. Enhanced cleaning and additional sanitization stations will be in place throughout the convention center. The latest health and safety updates are located here.
With Awesome Con 2022 hosting one-of-a-kind energetic programs, globally recognized special guests, and presenting more exclusive previews and announcements to all of their attendees than ever before, it continues to earn its reputation as a standout annual destination, uniting fans at one of the largest pop culture events in the country.
WHEN:
- Friday, June 3; exhibit hall hours 1pm – 8pm, programming until 10pm
- Saturday, June 4; exhibit hall hours 10am – 7pm, programming until 10pm
- Sunday, June 5; exhibit hall hours 10am – 5pm, programming until 5pm
WHERE:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt. Vernon Pl, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Headliners:
- Simu Liu (Marvel’s Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, Kim’s Convenience)
- Anthony Daniels (Star Wars)
- Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad)
- Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch)
- Sean Astin (The Lord of The Rings, The Goonies, Stranger Things)
Screen Stars:
- Wilson Cruz (Star Trek: Discovery)
- Anthony Rapp (Star Trek: Discovery)
- Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who, The Hobbit Trilogy)
- Florian Munteanu (Marvel’s Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, Creed 2)
- Meng’er Zhang (Marvel’s Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings)
- Christopher Sabat (Dragon Ball, My Hero Academia, One Piece)
- Sean Schemmel (Dragon Ball)
Comic Guests:
- Jimmy Palmiotti (Harley Quinn, Painkiller Jane, Daredevil, The Punisher, Monolith)
- Jason Badower (The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Captain Atom, Krypton, Wonder Woman)
- Sweeney Boo (Over My Dead Body, The Joker – Punchline, Marvel Action: Captain Marvel)
- Amanda Conner (Lois Lane, Birds of Prey, X-Men Unlimited, Gatecrasher, The Pro)
- Gavin Gurdy (Captain America: The Ghost Army, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
- Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman: Evolution, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight)
Cosplay Guests:
TICKETS: Daily and full weekend passes are available. Badges purchased before April 17 will be mailed to a provided address.
- Friday Only Admission: $40
- Saturday Only Admission: $50
- Sunday Only Admission: $45
- 3-Day Weekend Pass: $85
- Premium 3-Day Pass: $165
- Kids Admission: $15. Valid for kids ages 3-10. Valid for full weekend or any day individually.
- VIP passes & experiences range from the Premium 3-Day ($165) to 3-Day, limited quantity Club Awesome Membership ($399), which offers access to various celebrity appearances, reserved Main Stage seating, ‘Jump the Line’ cards and exclusive Club Awesome merchandise items.
WEBSITE: www.AwesomeCon.com is updated regularly with new guests, exciting exhibitors, and special programming.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
- Facebook: facebook.com/AwesomeConDC
- Twitter: @AwesomeCon
- Instagram: @awesomecons