FAN EXPO Portland runs Jan. 16–18 with panels, cosplay and a LOTR reunion

Collider reports FAN EXPO Portland, produced by FAN EXPO HQ, is scheduled for January 16–18, 2026, and aims to kick off the year with a broad slate of fan-focused programming across comics, anime, sci‑fi and fantasy, cosplay and more. The weekend opens with a "DJ Kick‑Off Celebration" on Friday, January 16 at 1:45 pm on The Red Carpet.

Family offerings include a Kids Zone in Room A108 with activities such as Jedi training and Ghostbusters slime making, while readers can visit the Book Nook in Room C124 for workshops and a manga library. Aspiring podcasters can attend "How to Produce a Hit Fandom Podcast" on Saturday, January 17 at 10:30 am in Room RM B119, hosted by Tom McLaughlin and Andrea Carter of The Other Castle.

Genre programming features panels and meet‑ups for Star Trek, Harry Potter and other franchises, extensive comic‑creation panels with representatives from Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse, and dedicated anime and cosplay events. A highlighted appearance on Saturday, January 17 at 7:30 pm on the Main Stage is a reunion of the four stars behind the hobbits—Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd—with entry requiring a separate ticket.

Key Topics

Culture, Fan Expo Portland, Fan Expo Hq, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Cosplay