Long Beach Comic Con Is Back and Better!

Looking for a new Comic Con experience and have no plans for Labor Day weekend? Last year, Long Beach Comic Con returned to the Long Beach Convention Center after a three-year hiatus. It also marked my first time attending Long Beach Comic Con. Under the new management of the fan-focused event production company Nerd Street Events, Long Beach Comic Con returned with room to grow and so much potential. Despite LBCC 2025 being smaller than anticipated, I greatly enjoyed the diverse programming and was excited to meet the celebrity talent. As a longtime convention goer, I’m eager to see how Long Beach Comic Con 2026 will wow its attendees and keep growing.

True to its name, Long Beach Comic Con will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center this weekend, from September 5-6, 2026. This year, the Long Beach Comic Con lineup will host artists, voice actors, TV and film stars, and comic creators. For example, attendees can anticipate voice actor and sketch comedian Damien Haas, actor and comedian Phill LaMarr, and voice actor and musician Billy West. And fans of Five Nights at Freddy’s, Pokémon, Power Rangers, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Masters will be happy to see who else will be at LBCC. Anyone interested in attending can find the full celebrity guest list on the official LBCC website and social media accounts.

The LBCC Exhibit Hall will be open 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturday, September 5, and 10 AM to 5 PM on Sunday, September 6. This year, Long Beach Comic Con will host more than a hundred vendors. Among the vendors, attendees can anticipate the fan-franchise and charitable cosplay group The Orange County Ghostbusters, the online training program and platform for aspiring voice actors The Voice Actor College, and the longest-running traveling geek-genre film festival GeekFest Film Fests. Artists, authors, content creators, local businesses, and other fan groups will also be tabling over the weekend. Anyone interested in researching the vendors beforehand can also find the full vendor list and floor plan on the official LBCC website.

LBCC 2026 Programming will last from 10 AM to 10 PM on September 5 and 10 AM to 5 PM on September 6. Saturday and Sunday panels will range from cosplay and storytelling tips, discussions on the evolution and appeal of zombie media, Q&As, fandom debates, the history of J-Pop Idols, and more. Attendees can also enjoy screenings of independent short films courtesy of GeekFest Film Fests. If you are interested in listening to charged conversations celebrating different fandoms and franchises and learning from expert panelists, consider looking into what LBCC has to offer this year!

Are you an aspiring cosplayer or cosplay fan? This year, Long Beach Comic Con will host two Cosplay Contests, taking place separately on Saturday at 6:30 PM and Sunday at 3:30 PM. Applications for entry are closed, but all LBCC attendees are welcome to watch each contest take place on the Main Stage. Contestants will be separated into categories based on skill, and awards will be given to the Best Cosplay in each category, Best Craftsmanship, Best Group, Judge’s Choice, and Best in Show. All costumes showcased on stage will be handmade, as required by contest rules. If you appreciate handcrafted cosplay, consider attending one of the contests and applauding some cosplayers!

Unsure how to navigate LBCC? For convenience and a better convention experience, attendees are encouraged to download the Guidebook app for free from the App Store and search “Long Beach Comic Con 2026.” The digital guidebook will provide real-time updates, list celebrity guests and exhibitors, and offer the weekend programming schedule. Using the Guidebook app, attendees can personalize their schedules and create to-do lists. If you want to plan your weekend ahead of time, this app may be for you!

Has this article convinced you to attend Long Beach Comic Con this weekend? Tell us in the comments if yes, and let us know what you are most excited for. Tickets for LBCC 2026 are still on sale, with Single Day, Weekend, VIP, and Kid Passes available. Long Beach Comic Con awaits you!