Artist Alley remains the true heart of Fan Expo Vancouver 2026. From rare comic finds and Canadian animation history to candid creator chats and reflections on the evolving photo-op experience, part two explores where the real magic lives.
When a first-time pop culture convention-goer asks a veteran where the real heart of the event lies, most will say Artist Alley. That’s where creators sit ready to talk about production schedules and how they broke into the business. This area is where writers, illustrators, and production artists can discuss what they have coming next. These conventions do not have to revolve solely around big-name celebrities.
While the fanfare has cooled for a certain Disney film shot in this city, I did wonder whether anyone who worked on TRON: Ares might quietly be attending Fan Expo Vancouver 2026. It was released in October 2025 and performed respectably. Spotting original art tied to that production for sale would have been a genuine thrill. Although Disney Parks currently holds a monopoly on certain product lines, I did manage to snag Mirka Andolfo’s Stitch #1 variant cover. It arrived on the final day. Because of the previously mentioned shipping mix-up (see part one), the merchandise floor felt uneven. Some comics appeared late; others never arrived at all.
Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 widened its halls and boosted nostalgia with Smallville reunions, Jim Cummings panels, and packed auctions. But vendor hiccups and Artist Alley told the deeper story. #FanExpoVancouver #Smallville #VoiceActors
At long last, Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 moved its ticketing area to another floor, significantly expanding the main stage footprint and widening the “red carpet” corridors. Attendees finally had breathing room to navigate the show floor. That improved flow, however, could not fully mask a last-minute vendor shake-up. In a story not widely known, it appears someone at Informa, the parent company, mishandled paperwork, resulting in inventory meant for Vancouver getting sent elsewhere in Canada. As a result, several booths I had hoped to browse and buy product from simply never materialized.
Rare finds are increasingly elusive at these massive corporate events. For serious treasure hunting, a dedicated comic convention remains the better bet. In the Lower Mainland, that king belongs to the Vancouver Comic & Toy Show. It is no-nonsense, focused on local artists, and hosted at the PNE grounds without leaning on media guests to drive attendance. For fans eager to meet favourite actors, however, the Fan Expo and ReedPop brands remain the go-to experiences. On a personal note, I finally completed my collection of photographs with the Smallville main cast.
Arcana Food and Spirits in Gastown delivers a noir occult hangout with cocktails that glow, keepsake cards worth collecting, and a steak frites that hits the mark. It’s part speakeasy, part spooky lounge, and I’m already plotting my return.
During the Fan Expo Vancouver weekend, I knew I had to visit Arcana Food and Spirits in Gastown again, and they didn’t disappoint! From the neon glow of a “pet psychic” facade outside to the noir-styled interior within, walking into Arcana feels like stepping into another dimension. The entrance is decorated like in Rocky Horror Picture show, but once you’re inside, what’s there is more of a speakeasy than an area for a stage show.
This time around, I brought my friend Susan along. We’ve done paranormal investigations together and while we weren’t planning to run a session on a busy Friday night, I’ll admit the mood makes you half-expect a planchette to slide on its own. I also had to accept one bittersweet update: anyone hoping to meet the Lich King or sip beside the Cthulhu tiki mug and take home now has to make a pilgrimage to Toronto’s Storm Crow Manor. but here, all you can do is drink with them. Their storefront, Mysterious Package Company doesn’t seem to update inventory often, so don’t count on snagging rare barware online.
For those who need a capsule update, Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 has a huge lineup of repeat guests and fond favourites returning to interact with fandom.
Runs Feb 14th to 16, 2026 Vancouver Convention Centre
The guest list is shaping up to be intense in this Fan Expo Vancouver 2026 update. Rather than a scattershot mix of genres, this year leans hard into ensemble events. There’s now an added show bringing the Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings to make those last-minute choices easy, and there are almost certainly more events still to come that haven’t been announced yet. The cast of Hazbin Hotel is back!
With so many IPs represented, choosing what to prioritize is going to be tough. The big question is whether one big auditorium is enough to contain it all, and where it’ll be held. The hall in the East Building feels like the most likely candidate, since moving it off-site would feel unusual. That space was used years back when Kevin Smith was in town, and it turned into an amazing night to remember.
Whether that kind of magic happens again depends on the vibe, the crowd, and the programming. For now, here’s what’s been announced, plus who’s attached to the after-hours specials so far.
When Middle Earth Is the Spotlight
The heart of the guest list belongs to The Lord of the Rings, with multiple combinations of the Fellowship appearing. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan headline a Shire-centric reunion, while expanded groupings add John Rhys-Davies and David Wenham for fans wanting a broader slice of Middle-earth. For those who prefer a more focused moment, Rhys-Davies and Wenham also appear together as a duo, spotlighting the franchise’s more battle-worn heroes.
On the Small Screen With Smallville and Battlestar
Superhero television gets its due with Smallville, as Tom Welling, Erica Durance, and Kristin Kreuk reunite. For a lot of fans, this era of The CW’s superhero TV still feels personal. It helped set the table for how audiences would embrace long-form comic-book storytelling on television. There’s also an evening event with this trio built around reliving moments from the series.
Katee Sackhoff and Alessandro Juliani represent the newer Battlestar Galactica era, and their presence doubles as a reminder that genre favourites don’t vanish just because a reboot stalls out. It helps that they’re locals too, which gives this appearance a proper home-field feel.
Wizards, Wolves, and Vampires
Even though the Stanley Park Forbidden Forest attraction closed its doors, the timing here still feels like a missed opportunity. With James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, and Matthew Lewis coming to town, the overlap is right there. Planning at this scale is rarely simple, but Fan Expo has been known to connect with local partners when the fit is right.
On the darker, moodier side, Twilight is well represented. Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, and Peter Facinelli appear in various groupings, including a paired photo op for Greene and Rathbone that leans into the romantic side of the franchise. It’s a reminder that this fandom remains loyal, organized, and very aware of its favourite dynamics.
The 80s Is Alive With Fond Classics at Fan Expo Vancouver 2026
Nostalgia runs strong with The Goonies, represented by Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, and Kerri Green. It’s a compact reunion rooted in one of the most enduring adventure films of the 80s, and a fun overlap year with several franchises represented across the show floor. Fans will keep hoping for Ke Huy Quan to join them someday.
On the flip side, cult cinema arrives with The Lost Boys, as Feldman reunites with Jamison Newlander, giving fans a chance to celebrate one of the genre’s most stylish eras.
Sean Astin, Jeff Cohen, Ke Huy Quan, Kerri Green and Corey Feldman reunited for the premiere of “Love Hurts” at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 3, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Heroes in a Half Shell
One of the most ensemble-heavy appearances comes from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with François Chau, Kenn Scott, Brian Tochi, Ernie Reyes Jr., Robbie Rist, and Judith Hoag appearing together. It’s a deep cut for fans who know the voices, the performances, and the physicality behind the masks, even if the suits themselves stay off the convention floor.
Fan Expo Vancouver is bringing four Twilight co-stars together for a one-night screening event at The Rio Theatre on February 16, 2026, complete with a big-screen showing and a live Q&A.
Fan Expo Vancouver has a bonus show for fans of the film Twilight. They announced this week that co-stars Ashley Greene (“Alice”), Jackson Rathbone (“Jasper”), Kellan Lutz (“Emmett”), and Peter Facinelli (“Carlisle”) will reunite for a special one-night-only cinematic event, Twilight Special Screening: A Night with the Cullens, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Doors open at 5:30 PM, and the event starts at 6:30 PM at The Rio Theatre.
Presented in partnership with FAN EXPO Vancouver (February 14–16), the evening will feature a big-screen showing of Twilight (2008) and a live audience Q&A with the cast. This marks the first time these four actors have appeared together in Vancouver for a screening event, making it a must-attend night for franchise fans. And for those already attending the expo, there’s also a chance to meet them through individual signings or group photo sessions.
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.
This 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:
When a first-time pop culture convention-goer asks a veteran where the real heart of the event lies, most will say Artist Alley. That’s where creators sit ready to talk about production schedules and how they broke into the business. This area is where writers, illustrators, and production artists can discuss what they have coming next. These conventions do not have to revolve solely around big-name celebrities.
During the 
Runs Feb 14th to 16, 2026
The heart of the guest list belongs to The Lord of the Rings, with multiple combinations of the Fellowship appearing. 
Superhero television gets its due with Smallville, as 
Even though the Stanley Park Forbidden Forest attraction closed its doors, the timing here still feels like a missed opportunity. With 
This 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 (