By Judy Shields
Anaheim Convention Center (The Hollywood Times) 07/03/2026
FAN EXPO HQ, the largest producer of comic con events in the world, brough its popular pop culture fan fest to SoCal for the first time! FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition was held at the Anaheim Convention Center last weekend featuring headliner Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame.
FAN EXPO HQ – Mark Hamill (Photo Credit Brent Andeck)
FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition brought together fans of movies, comics, anime, gaming, and more for a weekend featuring celebrity guests, animation and gaming voice actors, comic creators, cosplay, shopping, panels, and immersive fan experiences.
WHO: FAN EXPO HQ is known for connecting fans with each other and with some of the biggest names in the pop culture galaxy. The Anaheim event welcomed:
Mark Hamill: Known for iconic roles in Star Wars, animation and video games, Hamill — who rarely makes convention appearances — will headline the show, appeared on stage (6/26) to talk about his legendary career, and meeting fans through photo ops and autograph sessions throughout the weekend.
The Lord of the Rings “Hobbits” Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, and John Rhys-Davies (“Gimli”) during the film’s 25th anniversary year, and a very special Sunday evening panel: An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years.
Fans in line to see John Rhys-Davies (Indiana Jones) at Fan Expo Anaheim (Photo THT)
Actor John Rhys-Davies (Indiana Jones) chatting with fans at Fan Expo Anaheim (Photo THT)
Jared Padelecki: Meet the actor who captured hearts in Gilmore Girls and 15 seasons of monsters, angels and brotherly bonds in Supernatural.
“Baby” the 1967 Black Chevrolet Impala 4-door sedan used in Supernatural at Fan Expo in Anaheim (Photo THT)
Jared Padalecki (Supernatural, Walker) taking a photo with fans at Fan Expo Anaheim (Photo THT)
Jared Padalecki (Supernatural, Walker) talking with fans at Fan Expo Anaheim (Photo THT)
Jared Padalecki (Supernatural, Walker) hugging one lucky fan at Fan Expo Anaheim (Photo THT)
Giancarlo Esposito: Commanding fear across the Star Wars galaxy in his turn as villain “Moff Gideon” in The Mandalorian, Esposito is also known for iconic roles in Breaking Bad, The Boys, Captain America: Brave New World, Better Call Saul, and more.
Giancarlo Esposito signing autographs for fans (Photo THT)
Giancarlo Esposito signing autographs for fans (Photo THT)
Ahmed Best: The “Jar Jar Binks” actor is making a rare appearance worthy of a Star Wars celebration straight from a galaxy far, far away.
Brian Blessed: The voice of Boss Nass in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is joining for his first and only U.S. convention appearance ever.
Anime superstars including voice talent from Naruto and One Piece, and legendary voice actors Peter Cullen and Frank Welker whose rivals “Optimus Prime” and “Megatron” anchored the animated Transformers universe, as well as voicing iconic characters spanning generations.
Comic creators including Paul Dini and Tom Ruegger from the Batman universe.
Corey Feldman at Fan Expo in Anaheim (Photo THT)
Corey Feldman on stage at Fan Expo in Anaheim (Photo THT)
Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1, Turok) at Fan Expo Anaheim (Photo THT)
Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1, Turok) at Fan Expo Anaheim (Photo THT)
Check out the video recap provided by Fan Expo HQ from previous 2026 shows:
ABOUT FAN EXPO HQ
With over a million fans and counting, FAN EXPO HQ attracts pop culture enthusiasts, locally and internationally, to come together to celebrate all things fandom. Collectively it hosts more than one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Dallas, FAN EXPO Canada, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Boston, FAN EXPO Denver, CALGARY EXPO, FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, FAN EXPO Cleveland, FAN EXPO Vancouver, Toronto Comicon, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL, EDMONTON EXPO, FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition, and VidCon.
The latest schedule of events is available here, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong.