Each year, on the last weekend of May, the streets of downtown San Jose bloom into a rainbow of wigs, petticoats and full-body makeup. Without corporate gloss or manufactured hype, a massive celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture splashes about.
FanimeCon returns May 22–25, 2026, to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center for its Memorial Day weekend takeover — now in its fourth decade and still running on the same philosophy it started with: by fans, for fans.
Born in 1994 as a small campus gathering at what is now Cal State East Bay, the convention has called San Jose McEnery Convention Center home since 2004 and contributes an estimated $10 million-plus annually to the local economy, according to organizers.
Programming runs 24 hours a day across the weekend. The Masquerade — the convention’s flagship cosplay competition — draws some of the most elaborate craftsmanship you’ll see anywhere, while the Black & White Ball gives attendees a chance to actually dance.
This year’s guests include voice performers Ai Nonaka and Emi Lo, Japanese director Hiroshi Nagahama, musical artist ALI, VTuber Mint Fantôme and professional cosplayer VampyBitme, among others. The Artist Alley, Dealer’s Hall, gaming tournaments, J-Fashion shows, panels and karaoke can swallow an afternoon — or a whole night — without warning.
