The Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo celebrates all things pop culture with a four-day festival in Calgary that will bring your inner geek out. It’s photo ops with movie stars, autograph signings with legendary comic creators, one-of-a-kind cast reunions, the geekiest shopping experience in the land and the must-see POW! Parade of Wonders. Whether it’s your first time attending, or you are a cosplay pro, it’s the perfect chance to make a weekend of it with your friends and family with a festival from a galaxy far, far, away.

Channel the force and celebrate the 17th Annual Calgary Expo with these local tips and tricks.

Meet your favourite celebrity superstars

What makes the Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo so unique? Getting up close and personal with your favourite creators, directors, and actors!

This year’s lineup includes "The Umbrella Academy's" Elliot Page, a thrilling ensemble from "Scream" including Matthew Lillard and Neve Campbell, "The Mandalorian's" Gina Carano and Giancarlo Esposito, "Firefly" and "Star Wars" actor Alan Tudyk, Ahsoka stars Eman Esfandi and Diana Lee Inosanto, My Name Is Earl's Jason Lee and Ethan Suplee, Star Wars: The Clone Wars voice actor Ashley Eckstein, and many more.

Local tip: Check out the complete list of amazing celebrity guests attending in 2024 before you attend so you can plan your schedule for the weekend.

Mark the POW! Parade of Wonders on your calendar

The POW! Parade of Wonders is a FREE event and the official kickoff to the Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo Friday morning, April 26, 2024. It’s a must-do activity for your festival weekend. Everyone is welcome to walk in the parade and feel like a superhero, all you have to do is dress up in full cosplay.

The parade route travels along Stephen Avenue (8th Avenue SW) starting at 8th Street and finishing with a festival atmosphere in Olympic Plaza to officially kick things off. Festival goers and locals line the 10-block parade route to cheer on the cosplayers and wave to the celebrity guests.

Local tip: Check the POW! Parade of Wonders parade route ahead of time to plan the best spot to catch the parade. The Expo Fan Zone, between 4th Street and Centre Street, is a great place to watch and can easily be accessed by the Calgary Transit C-Train.

Make it a weekend with your family

Make your Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo festival fun a weekend your family will never forget. Imagine that special moment your kids meet their favourite superheroes, princesses, and voice actors! Ready for more family friendly entertainment? Enter the Calgary Expo Kids Costume Contest, the perfect way to cheer on the cosplay stars of tomorrow. 

Local tip: Kids ages 6-12 get in FREE! Download the Kids Free Coupon to receive two Child Passes to the Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo. The pass must be printed and presented in person at the show and is valid for show hours on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Children 5 and under do not require a pass. 

Make it a weekend with your friends

Need some group cosplay inspiration? Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Office, and Lord of the Rings tributes are always a good bet. Round up your friends for a weekend of cosplay and comics at the Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo.

Sit in on celebrity panels, get your prized collectible signed by the artist, discover original works along Artist Alley and shop for collectibles, comics, games, toys, and tees with over 750 retailers.

Local tip: Did you know you can have up to four friends in your Celebrity Photo Ops? Round up your comic crew and make that celebrity shot your next Christmas card.

Know all the tips & tricks before you go

Making the most of your Calgary Expo experience is all about knowing the local tips and tricks before you go. Start planning this epic comic adventure with some insider knowledge to take your Expo experience into a whole new galaxy.

Purchase your tickets ahead of time so you can skip the line and be ready for the fun. Multi-day passes and single-day admission can be purchased online with some great savings and limited edition schwag.

Ask questions at the Panels and Q&As! It’s a great chance to connect with your favourite celebrities, solve that comic conspiracy theory, and save your valuable Photo Ops time for merchandise signings and selfies.

Download the official Calgary Expo Mobile App and keep the complete schedule at your fingertips. You can buy tickets, plan your photo ops, and get up to the minute updates right to your smartphone or tablet.

Be prepared for Autograph Sessions and get your collectibles ready to sign before you hit the front of the line. Check their schedules and confirm autograph prices ahead of time.

Check the Show Floor Plan and plan your superhero strategy before you go! Map it out and break your Calgary Expo experience into a weekend of adventure so you won’t miss that comic book signing or celebrity photo op.

Get your tickets for the Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo, April 25-28, 2024.