What to Expect at Emerald City Comic Con 2026 in Seattle

The Emerald City, surrounded by abundant greenery, holds one of the largest comic and pop culture conventions in the Pacific Northwest, attracting fans from across Washington State and beyond. Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) takes place at the Seattle Convention Center, March 5-8, in downtown Seattle, WA, just across Lake Washington from Bellevue. 

If you've snagged a ticket to ECCC, congratulations, you're about to dive headfirst into a whirlwind of cosplay, comics, and celebrity sightings. Get ready to explore 200 panels, workshops, and parties, over 40 celebrities, 40 special comic guests, and 500 creators in Artist Alley. With over 90,000 attendees expected over the 4 days, prepare your outfits and prepare to meet new friends. After a full day at ECCC, explore Bellevue’s restaurant scene, from elevated Pacific Northwest cuisine to late-night bites perfect for post-panel refueling.

📍 Location & How to Get There

Emerald City Comic Con 2026 takes place at the Seattle Convention Center’s Summit and Arch buildings in downtown Seattle. Located just minutes from Bellevue via I-90 by car, or by public transit, the venue is easily accessible for visitors staying in Bellevue. 

Activities at Emerald City Comic Con

ECCC has a lot of different show features, from the Artist Alley to the pride lounge, it'll take you the whole day of nonstop walking to explore absolutely everything. I clocked 10,990 steps when attending the Friday of last year's convention, and we were totally spent and definitely took some time to just sit and chill in The Tavern, where you can grab some adult beverages, get your hair braided, take photos with cool sets, shop with merchants, get tarot readings, and get food. 

Talent Show, Cosplay, and Fan Meetups at ECCC

On Friday, there's a talent show where you can win a cool medal and tickets to next year's convention. Whether you are shredding the double dutch on a jump rope, juggling a bunch of Owlbear eggs, or singing the Star Trek theme song "Faith of Heart", we're cheering you on. 

Cosplayers are in abundance at Emerald City Comic Con, with some of the most glorious outfits a fan could lay eyes on. Cosplay Central is on level 4 of the Seattle Convention Center, and it's a whole space created just for cosplayers to gather, take photos, and yap in between panels. There are also fan meetups you can join for titles like Baldur's Gate 3, X-Men, Undertale, Final Fantasy, Five Nights At Freddy's, and Resident Evil. 

Artists and Exhibitors at Emerald City Comic Con

In the Artist Alley, you'll find endless rows of talented artists and creators, including some of the biggest names in the world of comics. My friend got the prettiest pair of elf ear jewelry there last year, and I copped some excellent art prints for my walls. You'll find even the most niche comics and anime represented among the lot - there's a ground to cover and there are food stations throughout the con to help you refuel. The pizza was pretty great, and it wasn't hard looking for an empty spot against a wall to sit and munch.

Table Top Games, Family, and Pride Experiences

If you bring your trading card game cards with you, Side Quest is where you want to be. Here, you can find tabletop tournaments, free gameplay, an Indie Game Showcase, an arcade, and even tabletop miniature gaming with Star Wars vs. Star Trek. This is also where some of the LARPing happens throughout the con.

If you've got little ones in tow, ECCC doubled the size of their Family HQ this year, which is on level 3 of the Summit Building. Check out the Pride Lounge to take part in an interactive art mural, sit on comfy bubble chairs, yap, catch a game of Drag Queen Bingo, and get some free swag. 

After Dark Events & Parties at Emerald City Comic Con

There are several fan-favorite traditions at Emerald City Comic Con, here's what to keep on your radar on Thursday, March 5, Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7. [Queue 6,7 hands] Be sure to double check the age restrictions. Some are 18+, and some are 21+. 

ECCC Karaoke (March 5 & 6) 

Warm up your singing pipes for Thursday and Friday night in the Level 5 Lobby, where Karaoke Night invites you to belt out your favorite pop culture hits, from movie soundtracks to anime themes and geeky throwbacks. (Geeky in a good way. At ECCC, we all fam.)

The Forbidden Realm: High Fantasy Burlesque (March 5)

In the Tavern Stage, the handsome and dashing Christian Rock is hosting a Burlesque show that features the whimsical cast of High Fantasy and beats by DJ Blake Ward. There are scary monsters, nice sprites, raucous rogues, delightful damsels, and friends to hang with. The set design and live art is not to be missed, and you'll definitely want to bring a back up phone charger so you're camera ready all day long. 

Smash or Pass? The Bookish Baddies Weigh In (March 6)

For an after dark conversation on what goes on in the pages of Romantasy, you won't want to miss the chronically online panelists for a hilarious and candid conversation around sexy tropes and literary characters in Room 346. 

Fables After Dark Party: The Tavern Awakens (March 6) 

Fables After Dark is an unordinary fantasy ball that gives you the opportunity to dig out your favorite fantasy garb out of your closet while you party like it's 2099. Hosted by High Fantasy Events and presented by Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire, this dance party has DJ Blake Ward spinning beats, Burlesque, drag, dancers, and more in store. 

Taking Back ECCC: A Pop Punk After Party (March 7)

107.7 The End is partnering up with ECCC for a throwback party with live music from Seattle's own Hannah Duckworth, plus emo and alt hits that will send you flying into the nostalgic 2000s. This is the party where you get to put on every black clothing and accessory you own. 

Smut or Angst: The Fanfiction Game Show (March 7)

Host Leandra and Panelists Lantis and Rin are back for their 3rd year at ECCC to host a game of Smut or Angst. They'll give you a fanfiction title, and you'll have to guess which is which! 

There are many other events to look through, such as drag night, gayme night, a comedy showcase, comic book horror, and so much more on the full list of After Dark experiences on the ECCC website.

How to Prepare for Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle

Here's how you can navigate the glorious chaos and make the most of your ECCC experience.

• The parking situation: There are three parking garages available during the weekend: Arch and Summit at the Seattle Convention Center (SCC) and Freeway Park. For more information about parking, you can find it here: Parking Garage Information | Seattle Convention Center
• Be prepared: I'll reiterate that ECCC is huge. Check the schedule online and prioritize panels, artist alleys, and celebrity signings you absolutely must see. Then, the rest is just perusing, hanging out, and meeting cool people. 
• Comfort is key: You'll be on your feet a lot. Wear comfortable shoes you can walk miles in. Seriously, miles. Layers are also a good idea, because it might be a walk to your car or your transit station... and March is chilly here. 
• Charge everything: Phone, camera, portable charger – make sure everything is fully charged before you go. You'll be taking tons of pictures and videos, and you don't want to run out of juice.
• Pre-register (if possible): If you can pick up your badge before the con starts, do it! This will save you a ton of time on the first day.
• Navigate the crowds: It's going to be crowded. Be patient, be aware of your surroundings, and try not to stop suddenly in the middle of a crowded hallway. "Excuse me" is your new best friend.
• Artist Alley is a must: This is where you can discover amazing artists, get original artwork, and chat with creators. 
• Have fun! This is the most important tip. ECCC is an amazing experience, so relax, embrace the nerdiness, and enjoy.
• Social Media: Follow ECCC on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.). They often announce guests and other updates there first.
• News and Announcements: Keep an eye out for news articles and press releases about ECCC. These often include guest announcements.