Tag: Pacific Northwest

Spring Conventions in 2026 That Prove Smaller Shows Still Shine

A look at smaller pop culture events across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, highlighting community-driven events worth checking out if the bigger spring conventions are out of reach.

Pacific Northwest Spring Conventions and BigfootBetween big events like Sakuracon taking place this weekend and Calgary Fan Expo across the regional divide, these are the big two spring conventions in the Pacific Northwest, or close by, that define April. They are both great shows, but for locals, staying closer to home is sometimes the better option. Smaller conventions tend to focus on community support, a specific genre, or cosplay culture rather than acting as large-scale marketplaces. Although their special guests are not always A-listers, they are still worth noting. No matter their level of fame, they remain a draw.

Here’s a quick list of events happening soon, especially if the big Seattle event is not in the budget.

Squatchcon
(Port Angeles, WA | April 9–12)
This show leans a bit into folklore and more into what AnimeKat offers, as they are most likely one of the best hangout spots to give locals what they love, a place to geek out with a more traditional “science-fiction convention” experience, complete with a dance and regional support.

crypticon

Crypticon Seattle
(SeaTac, WA | May 1–3)
The Pacific Northwest’s dedicated horror convention, drawing genre fans with an emphasis on film, dark art, and guests that mainstream cons rarely book.

Northern FanCon
(Prince George, BC | May 1–3)
This convention is the one that started it all for the Langford sister show, and it’s one of the few that offers to fans living in the boonies a chance to experience a full pop culture event without travelling far south.

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2026 Pop Culture Winter Convention Guide (and Early Spring)

From furry meetups in Seattle to xenomorph lore in Longview and capes along the Vancouver waterfront, this January–April 2026 guide maps the biggest and best fan winter convention (s) taking place across the Pacific Northwest so you can plan your next nerdy escape.

Pacific Northwest Conventions and Bigfoot Winter Convention GuideAfter the holidays, many geeks and weebs waste no time gearing up for the winter convention season, and 2026 brings more mid-sized and major events than ever. Some haven’t appeared in past guides simply because space is limited and timing is everything, but this year’s lineup is bursting with energy. The season may not have officially kicked off yet, but there’s nothing like the warmth of community, cosplay creativity, and spirited celebrations to chase away the winter chill.

Across the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find furries, sci-fi diehards, tabletop adventurers, cryptid hunters, fantasy readers, and even the occasional xenomorph wandering the halls. While no alien invasion is expected, one cleverly named event leans right into the folklore. Presented here is a guide to everything nerdy from January through April, organised by date to help you plan, budget, and maybe even squeeze in the time to finish that costume once Santa’s safely packed away.

OrcaCon

OrcaCon LogoJan 10–12, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport
18740 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA

OrcaCon is a tabletop-gaming con that puts community first, with spaces for board games, RPGs, miniatures, and more. The vibe is inclusive, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and diversity. Panels and playtesting opportunities give independent designers and hobbyists room to shine, making it a welcoming space for both casual players and dedicated strategists.

Guests Announced So Far: None formally listed yet for 2026.

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Rocky Horror at 50, Around the Pacific Northwest. Top Picks.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show returns in dazzling 4K and live spectacle across North America. From Vancouver’s shadow casts to Victoria’s drag shows, fans are doing the time warp again with music, improv, and midnight magic.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50 Years PosterThis year, fans of The Rocky Horror Show have extra ways to do the time warp! Not only is there a 4K restoration currently available as a limited edition steelbook set (Amazon link) for October. While this edition has some new bonus material, it may eventually filter down to a standard release TBA.

But more importantly, nearly every city is involved with a 50th year anniversary celebration. From Victoria to all other points, these events taking place across North America will have some people considering making a pilgramage to a major city. In the Pacific Northwest, the Spectacular Tour had/has three stops! It began in Alaska, moved to Vancouver, but there’s more….

53 more stops remain as it tours across the U.S. and Canada, featuring original cast members Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell. The tour began in late September and continues through mid-November. Details and tickets for each performance can be found here.

But for those unable to attend, there’s other takes to enjoy. They help keep that midnight madness that defines the Rocky spirit alive:

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When The Wolf Man (2025) Is All Bark with No Bite, Where’s the Excitement?

Not every take of the Wolf Man legend will gel, and this is one film I wish existed under the abandoned Dark Universe banner.

The Wolf Man 2025 Movie PosterMaybe Universal Studios should have stuck to having a board of directors who know their monster lore to at least keep ideas consistent when rebooting what’s beloved from their classic catalogue. I love Robert Eggers Nosferatu in all its nasty glory (movie review), but for Leigh Whannell‘s Wolf Man, setting this tale in the modern day is not for me. Not only is the story set away from the classical European origins but also, in what I could sit through, the connection to the tribal lore said to have created the beast is weak.

Blake (Christopher Abbott) is the latest victim to inherit the curse, and it doesn’t happen right away. First, he’ll have to convince his family to move. And I can’t think of many people who are used to city life willingly move to a rural home. Despite settling in, I’m sure his wife and daughter, Charlotte (Julia Garner) and Ginger (Matilda Firth), will want to leave after all the terror.

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Pacific Northwest Pop Culture Convention Season Roundup! 2025 Edition

For this winter  convention season, to decide whether one can attend them all can be a strain on the finances, and we offer a quick roundup on what each show offers, a partial guest lineup and much more!

Pacific Northwest Convention season guide

Throughout the Pacific Northwest, the winter convention season for pop culture enthusiasts is shaping up to be huge. The Fan Expo brand is certainly ramping their guest list up this year. Not only are they running two events in this region with a similar round up of guests appearing, but also it seems Creation Con no longer holds the monopoly on certain names! It’s about time, as I’m not fond of that organisation, since they are a for-profit business. They cater to fans who are willing to spend massive amounts of money for a show dedicated to just one series.

I favour the more open ones. Sometimes, if it doesn’t sell out, people can find tickets last minute. And while I can’t say what the shopping experience is like between both, I imagine the exhibit hall is only as good when these broad spectrum shows allow for anyone interested in vending to advertise their wares.

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Aside from The Mammoth, What Else Could Be Hiding in the Pacific Northwest?

The Mammoth Comic Book Cover Issue 1Mad Cave Studios

Paul Tobin and Arjuna Susini are the writing/artist team behind The Mammoth, a comic book about some terror who has terrorised Broke Tree Valley since the 1800s. Just what lurks here may well be the same evil that permeates Aokigahara in Japan. Although the cover paints this world as located somewhere in North America, no forest is as legendary as that! As for how huge it is depends on whom you ask, and what readers interpret from the first few pages.

The first question I had concerns where this valley is located? Is it the Appalachian Mountains or somewhere closer to Massachusetts? This inquiring mind wants to know, as life in that small town makes up most of the narrative in the first issue. I was drawn to this title because of the imposing cover, and that the beast looks like a giant-sized mummy!

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