I remember my first Flame Con. Incredibly, that was over ten years ago, back when the con was in its infancy. But from then until now, as a queer lady in fandom always looking for a community with shared interests, I knew I’d found my home. Years of attending various comic cons, including NYCC, SDCC, and others, left me fulfilled but still yearning for something. (And isn’t that the queer lady way?) A yearning that Flame Con, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ comics and pop culture convention, not only acutely understands but fulfills beyond my wildest dreams. You see, in all those other cons, transformative fandom, queer fandom, is always an afterthought. Maybe you cross a cosplay for your favorite ship in the wild. Maybe, among the hundreds of booths at Artist Alley, there will be one that caters to your fandom love of choice in the way you hope for. (A single neon-colored booth popping up among the masses.) Maybe, in the swell of the crowd, you manage to unearth a few like-minded people brimming with love for a work exactly as you feel it. But at Flame Con, those bits and pieces transform into the WHOLE AFFAIR. And so, if you’re a queer person in fandom or, in fact, any kind of fandom lover that engages in fan art, fanfic, and community building, I urge you to put Flame Con at the top of your list of fandom events. You won’t regret it. Flame Con is absolutely your can’t-miss, summer destination.
Flame Con Is Like Stepping Out of the Internet and Into a Queer Fandom Reality
As mentioned, there’s a spiritual quality to Flame Con that I don’t think exists anywhere in our reality except at this incredible event. Flame Con is literally the live-event equivalent of distilling your best day in fandom, during your most in-love phase, when the community is on high, and everyone is excited, passionate, and sharing the wealth, and bringing it offline and into the actual world around you. At Flame Con, you are guaranteed to be welcomed no matter who you are, how you fandom, or what you love. But beyond being welcomed, you are almost certain to find friendship there, as your community unfolds around you and you feel the strong bonds of love… IRL, as they say.
Instead of hunting for scraps among a sea of thousands of people who may or may not understand pop culture as you do, the whole affair is designed for YOU. And that includes everything from content to panels to guests to merchandise to event design. And there’s nothing like being in a space that recenters the experience you dream of as a queer fan, or a fan from any other diverse community. While LGBTQ+ fans may be the last to be invited to most other fan spaces, and indeed, are finding the world to be a more and more unfriendly place, at Flame Con, they are uplifted and celebrated. And the queer, fannish joy is uproarious and felt.
As Gay City News writes, “Resistance through queer joy was felt across the event on both days among vendors, attendees and cosplayers. Cosplay, or dressing up like a person’s favorite characters from a story, has proven for many to be an artistic expression of individual empowerment.” A sentiment echoed by Otakus & Geeks, who share, “The best part of this con is just how welcoming, accepting, and accommodating the entire experience is. There was an area for people to chill, if (more like when) all the noise and people were too much, there was free water on site, clearly labeled wheelchair access, and just a general vibe of positivity despite the current climate. I left feeling inspired to consume and create more diverse stories and I hope I can go again next year!”
And Just in Case…
Just in case that was a little too poetic for you, here’s the actual description of Flame Con, as shared by its organizers: “Flame Con is the world’s largest queer comic con. Featuring a two-day comics, arts and entertainment expo, showcasing creators and special guests from all corners of the LGBTQ fandom. It features thoughtful discussions, exclusive performances, screenings, cosplay, and more!”
Flame Con arrives at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 2026. Tickets are available now.
Flame Con Brings You THE Best In Queer Comics (And a Ton of Other Queer Shopping Fun)
Okay, that was the sentimental stuff (and that is IS important). But, let me square with you, if you’re in fandom and you want to discover comics and shop in a marketplace that’s designed to cater to EXACTLY your ship of the moment, (and I know you do), I have never found a place quite like Flame Con.
In 2026, there will be over 290 artists, creators, authors, and other makers at Flame Con. That is the BIGGEST year yet. And when I say, this Artist Alley HAS your number. I do not play. When I was in love with Stranger Things‘ Steddie, Flame Con provided. When I wanted nothing more than some Hannigram merch, Flame Con was there for me. When it was Stucky that owned my heart—you guessed it!! And I bet we’ll see so much great stuff this year. The Vampire Lestat creators out there, I am LOOKING at you.
But Flame Con wasn’t just serving me great ship merch (although, oh my god, the endless ship merch is so amazing). There’s also just an awesome, generally queer aesthetic that is tailored to queer people of every kind. I found my favorite clothing maker through Flame Con and bought handfuls of gorgeous enamel pins with flowers, swords, bones, and all those great hallmarks that are just queer, we can’t explain it. Especially queer ladies don’t really get that many designated shopping spaces that see them. And Flame Con’s Artist Alley… It really sees you.
Additionally, Flame Con brings over 20 community tables to support our community from a broader perspective. This year, there will be non-profits, charities, outreach groups, education groups, public health groups, and other similar mission-based organizations attending the event.
Also, the Twisted Spine will be the official bookseller at the con. And you know a con is good if there is an official bookseller.
Flame Con Is Only Growing
Sometimes, it feels like fan-oriented efforts lack a certain level of stability. Can they withstand the test of time against other comic con giants? Well, fear not! Flame Con is celebrating 12 years of existence in 2026. And 2026 also marks its second major moment of growth, as it moves into the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, a hotel which currently hosts the darling of Broadway (and fandom), Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
Flame Con shares, “The motivation for the move was to make more space for an increasingly diverse and inclusive Artist Alley, more tabletops for the Gaymer Lounge, more breakout rooms for panel discussions, and more runway space for cosplay and drag. All weekend long, queer comics artists, animators, and accessory designers will share the convention floor with authors, illustrators, publishers, and performers.”
That means 2026 is the best time ever to attend… And you’ll be sorry to miss out!
Flame Con Is Full of Top Notch Queer Guests and Panels
Of course, no con is complete without guests and panels! And Flame Con has brought some of the best of the best queer folks to the stage! Below is just a sampling of the cool queer people you’ll see join you at Flame Con. You can check out the rest of the guests here:
Casey McQuiston, nonbinary New York Times bestselling author of queer romantic comedies including Red, White & Royal Blue, which was adapted to an Emmy-nominated film produced by Amazon Prime Video. In addition to receiving honors from the Stonewall Book Awards, the Lambda Literary Awards, and the American Library Association, McQuiston has been published in Washington Post, New York Times, and Bon Appétit.
Kosoko Jackson, queer Black Lambda Literary Award-winning author of the USA Today bestseller The Forest Demands Its Due.
Al Ewing, the bisexual British comics writer who won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book for Empyre and was nominated twice for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy.
In addition, your fellow queer fandom peers will be running some exceptional panels. The Flame Con panel schedule isn’t yet released, but you can bet it will be full of the topics that are on the tip of your tongue, helpful discussions of queerness in the industry, and more delightful fannish fun.
Flame Con Is for Everyone, and That Includes our Young People
The bottom line is that Flame Con is for EVERYONE. And that also includes our young people. Queer youth need a safe place to exist, and queer elders need to be able to bring their children on their adventures! But rest easy, Flame Con has once again thought of everything.
Sunday, August 16, is actually Youth Day, a day when folks 21 and younger can attend for FREE! Isn’t that just the most incredible idea ever? Youth Day tickets are available in advance on TicketLeap & will be available at the door on Sunday.
Additionally, the con is expanding its youth programming with activities like Zine Making, DIY Pride & Pronoun Pins, cosplay creation, crafting sessions, and an exciting presence from the Queens Public Library. On Saturday night, Flame Con will also host Camp Fire, which is a “cozy Saturday night alternative to the Fire Ball for indoor cats with crafts, group coloring, puzzles, and other fun activities. All activities take place on-site at Flame Con after the floor closes.” This event is an all-ages, sensory-friendly, after-hang on August 16.
Flame Con shares that it “remains committed to being an all-ages event and making sure that young people have the opportunity to engage positively with queer community.” And we can all agree that is one important mission.
“Flame Con prides itself on being a convention for everyone,” says Nic Gitau, Geeks OUT President. “But, at a time when queer and trans youth are being targeted, we want them to know that their community is here for them — now more than ever. We’re excited to expand programming for youth at the show this year, and we hope connections made at Flame Con will stay with our guests long after the show is over.”
Flame Con Is Sweet, But It’s Also a PARTY
Of course, if you want to party, no one parties like folks at a queer fandom gathering! Fireball, the official Flame Con after party, is happening on Saturday, August 16, at Industry Bar. Join your fellow fabulous friends for an evening of wild, geeky, and sexy fun at this 21+ event. Expect geek-themed drag, burlesque, boylesque, dancing, and more! The event will be hosted by Megami, a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16. The event is 21+. And it promises some crazy, sexy, and geeky fun. And hey, what’s better than letting loose in cosplay? Make your own fanfic fantasies come to life.
So, Where and When Is Flame Con?
Okay, let’s give you some of the facts.
- When is Flame Con? Flame Con will take place Saturday, August 15, Noon – 8 PM & Sunday, August 16, Noon – 6 PM
- Where is Flame Con? Flame Con will be held at the Marriott Marquis New York – 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.
- Where Can You Stay During Flame Con? Flame Con offers a special event rate for those who stay at the con hotel. Take advantage of it here.
Snag Your Flame Con Tickets Today
If you’re convinced that this is the right place for you to be, tickets for Flame Con are available now for Saturday, Sunday, and the full weekend. Sunday is Youth Day, which means guests 21 years and younger can attend for free.
Fireball tickets are also available via TicketLeap. If you’d like to volunteer at the con, you can check out how to do so here. If you’d like to be a Flame Con sponsor, you should also reach out.
The Time Is Now to Attend Flame Con
What more can we say? If you’re a queer nerd, a fandom lover, a person who visits AO3 every day, then you DESERVE to attend Flame Con. The event will feed you, heal you, give you hope, and bring you joy. I’ll be there, and I hope to see you soon!
Editor’s note: This post is sponsored by Flame Con
The post Flame Con is Your Can’t-Miss, Summer Fandom DESTINATION appeared first on Nerdist.
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