Canberra’s biggest celebration of pop culture is back, with Oz Comic-Con Canberra returning to Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) on 15–16 August 2026 for a weekend packed with fandom, creativity, gaming and family-friendly entertainment.

Bringing together fans of comics, anime, gaming, movies, television, cosplay and collectibles, Oz Comic-Con offers something for everyone, whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering a new passion. From immersive experiences and interactive workshops to community meetups and live entertainment, the event transforms EPIC into a vibrant hub of pop culture excitement.

Cosplay remains one of the biggest highlights of the weekend, with Cosplay Central serving as the heart of the cosplay community. Fans can meet fellow cosplayers, pose for photos with professional cosplay photographers, join themed cosplay meetups and take part in the popular Cosplay Parades. Aspiring competitors can also showcase their skills in the Cosplay Competition, while younger fans can enjoy their own dedicated Kids Cosplay Parade.

Creative talent takes centre stage in Artist Alley, where attendees can meet independent artists, comic creators and illustrators from across Australia. Visitors can browse original artwork, commissions, books, jewellery, apparel and handcrafted merchandise while discovering emerging talent and supporting local creators. The nearby Comics Lounge, supported by Kings Comics, offers a welcoming space to relax, explore an extensive library of comics and manga, and attend panels and workshops hosted by industry professionals.

Gaming enthusiasts will find plenty to explore across the show’s dedicated gaming zones. The Australian Esports League (AEL) returns with free-play gaming stations and esports tournaments throughout the weekend, while the ever-popular Tabletop Gaming Library gives attendees access to more than 40 board games to play. Fans of role-playing games can also jump into beginner-friendly and experienced-player sessions run by local tabletop communities, with everything from Dungeons & Dragons to Pathfinder on offer.

The fan-favourite District returns with a variety of community-focused activities, including cosplay meetups, the Trading Post for collectors, the collaborative Scribble Wall and the welcoming CommUnity Space, celebrating diversity and inclusion within fandom culture. Attendees can also take to the stage for the always-entertaining Lip Sync Battles or show off their moves at the Just Dance Stage.

Families are encouraged to join the fun, with activities designed for fans of all ages. As always, every General Admission adult ticket includes a free child ticket (ages 5–12), while children under four receive free entry, making Oz Comic-Con Canberra an affordable and memorable weekend for the whole family.

With two days of entertainment, creativity, gaming and community, Oz Comic-Con Canberra 2026 promises to be an unmissable celebration of everything fans love.

Tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit ozcomiccon.com/canberra

• Oz Comic-Con Canberra 2026
  
• 15–16 August 2026
  
• Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC)

Oz Comic-Con Canberra Features:

As you weave your way through the show floor of Oz Comic-Con, keep your eyes peeled for interactive opportunities that are only possible in a convention setting. 

Below are a few highlights, or a bucket list if you wish, for Oz Comic-Con.

Stages:

• Main Stage
  The Main Stage is where you go to catch the Q&A panels with our Comic, Author & Cosplay guests, as well as live performances from, and to catch the Cosplay Championship, Cozplay Competition and Cosplay Parades! 

• Lip Sync Battles
  It’s time to LIP SYNC FOR YOUR….eternal bragging rights!
  Can’t sing but can absolutely nail the silent solo? Watched every season of RuPaul and want to live out your lip-syncing fantasies live on stage? Do you miss Dubsmash? Then this is the competition for you! Limited registration spots are available, so be sure to register asap! You can enter as an individual or as a group! Register or read more here: https://ozcomiccon.com/occ-music-entertainment-stage/

Comics:

• Artist Alley

A space to celebrate art in pop culture, Artist Alley is a colourful, creative district filled with original and fan art. Take the opportunity to interact with the creative geniuses behind your favourite comic books, graphic novels, literature, and artistic projects – a truly unique and authentic way to get to know local talent as they make waves in the global scene.
It’s in Artist Alley that you can purchase a unique commission, designed and drawn just for you or shop for prints and artistic creations such as novels, jewellery, clothing, and homewares. No matter what you like, you’ll find a creator suited to your interests, whether it be superheroes, manga, sci-fi, fantasy, horror or indie.

Cosplay

• Cosplay Central
  Cosplay Central is the meeting place and undeniably the unmissable destination for all cosplayers and cosplay fans at Oz Comic-Con. Meet local cosplay talent for tips and tricks, grab your mates for the perfect photo op in front of cosplay sets and get your photo snapped by local cosplay photographers. https://ozcomiccon.com/occ-cosplay-central/
• Cosplay Parades
  Oz Comic-Con hosts a variety of Cosplay offerings at the event for different skill levels.The Cosplay Parade is a great event showcasing the talent of cosplayers at Oz Comic-Con! It gives everyone the chance to get up on stage and strut their stuff without the stress of competing. Taking place both Saturday and Sunday.

• Cosplay Competition
  For those not quite ready for the Championship of Cosplay but a step above the Cosplay Parade. The Cosplay Competition is the competition for mainstream competitors. This event is perfect for you to showcase your crafting, needlework or armour build talents. Entry into the Cosplay Competition is by application ahead of the show, so if this is something you’re interested in being sure to check out the applications here: https://ozcomiccon.com/occ-cosplay-competitions-parades/ 

• Kids Cosplay Parade
  The kid’s cosplay parade is a great way for our littlest cosplayers to get into the cosplay spirit! Kids can go on stage either on their own, in a group, or, for those who are either too little or too shy, with a guardian.

• Cosplay Photographers
  Coming to Oz Comic-Con in cosplay? Local cosplay photographers will be present, ready to take your photo in Cosplay Central. The best part? All photo sessions are complimentary! https://ozcomiccon.com/oz-comic-con-official-cosplay-photographers/

The District

 Cosplay Meetups

• Whether you’ve gone all out or you’re just in casual cosplay, be sure to swing by our Cosplay Meetups for some serious fun with fellow fans! Don’t miss out on the chance to snap some epic group pics at our photo wall and create memories that’ll last a lifetime. Let’s get ready for a weekend of awesome shenanigans! https://ozcomiccon.com/occ-the-district/

• Trading Post
  If you’re a part of a collectible community, and trading is a part of that, welcome to the Oz Comic-Con Trading Post! A space where collectors can meet and trade with each other, or even just talk about common interests and show off collections! http://ozcomiccon.com/the-trading-post/

• Bingo & Scavenger Hunts
  If you’re looking for even more free activities to fill your weekend at Oz Comic-Con with even more potential prizes to win then Oz Comic-Con Show Bingo and Quokka Quest Scavenger Hunts are definitely worth checking out. Free to play and a fun way to explore through the whole show! https://ozcomiccon.com/bingo-scavenger-hunts/

• Scribble Wall

Our epic scribble wall returns to The District for 2025. For all you colouring addicts out there, it’s time for you to scratch that itch to leave your mark!

• CommUnity Space
  Welcome to the Oz Comic-Con CommUnity Space. A safe and inclusive haven for members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community at the show.

The CommUnity Space is designed to be a place where attendees can come together to socialize and celebrate their love for all things queer pop culture. We provide a welcoming atmosphere where you can engage in activities, discussions and meetups that centre around queer representation and diversity in pop culture. Read more about the space and what’s on here: https://ozcomiccon.com/comm-unity-space/

 Gaming

• Gaming Zone and Esports Tournaments

Australian Esports League (AEL) joins forces with Oz Comic-Con bringing their free play gaming zone and esports tournaments to each show. AEL recognises the importance of building ‘grassroots’ esports, delivering a gaming experience like no other to the broader gaming community.

The gaming zone will showcase the latest games and products, with an opportunity for attendees to battle it out against their mates and other attendees.  https://ozcomiccon.com/occ-console-gaming/

• Tabletop Gaming Library
  Not one for console games? No problem! We got you covered with a library of tabletop games to satisfy your needs. Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, Catan. Heard of those? Maybe you like Zombie Dice, Small World, or Red Dragon Inn? Well, this year Oz Comic-Con is giving you access to all of these games, and more! We’ll be using our tabletop resources to bring you a two-day gaming extravaganza.

Get along to the Tabletop Gaming Zone featuring a library of over 40 different games you can play. https://ozcomiccon.com/oz-comic-con-tabletop-gaming/

• Retro Gaming Console Library
  Hey, you’re finally awake. From NES to N64, Sega Mega Drive to Atari 7800, come and kick it old school with a mix of retro gaming consoles in the Retro Gaming area! Be sure to stop by to try your hand at an old classic and enjoy the nostalgia, or introduce it to your offspring for the very first time! Retro Gaming Tournaments happening across the weekend with prizes to be won! 

• Local TTRPG Groups – Learn to Play
  From Pathfinder to D&D, if you’re looking to play some TTRPG’s at Oz Comic-Con, we have you covered! Local groups will be on hand to guide you through one shot campaigns across the weekend. Whether you are a seasoned player, or this is your first time, you are welcome to participate. Characters will be generated by DMs so players are all on the same level (1 to 5).

  Campaigns will be taking place during Oz Comic-Con each day! https://ozcomiccon.com/oz-comic-con-tabletop-gaming/ 

• Just Dance Stage

So you think you can Just Dance? Well, you’ll be able to show everyone your moves at the Just Dance stage. Open for free play all weekend. Play as a group, or individually, the party at Oz Comic-Con starts here. https://ozcomiccon.com/occ-console-gaming/

Headspace Reset Room

 There is a lot going on at Oz Comic-Con, and sometimes, you need to a quiet space away from the fun. We are happy to share that we are partnering with headspace to create the Reset Room, a staffed space to help you reset and regain your calm.