Beginning next Thursday, pop culture junkies from across the globe will flock to downtown Toronto to experience Fan Expo Canada, one of the biggest fandom celebrations in the world.

Whether you prefer Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, or The Avengers, Fan Expo has you covered. Taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the four-day event is the largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming event in Canada and the second largest in North America. Fan Expo truly offers a bit of something for everybody.

Although the event doesn’t kick off until Thursday, Fan Expo has joined forces with the CNE to offer fans an early taste of what’s to come. On Monday, the CNE and Fan Expo Canada will host their first-ever Cosplay Day Picnic & Parade at the CNE’s Bandshell. Here is the scoop.

Meet costumed characters from around the galaxy, learn to play the magical world’s favourite sport at the Quidditch Pitch, and show off your costume on the Cosplay Red Carpet. Everything wraps up with the nerdiest parade you’ll ever see! Fun for all ages! Listen to your favourite tunes from the movies and television performed live by musician Brigit O’Regan.

Nothing seems geekier than dressing up as your favourite pop culture character. Believe me, I understand. But if you’ve never been to a Con, you have no idea what you’re missing out on.

As soon as you step foot into an event like Fan Expo, the geek stigma fades away. No one is passing judgement on your nerdy obsessions, and the feeling is liberating. There is a camaraderie among the guests that must be experienced to be believed. You may be amongst 130,000 strangers, but you also feel like you’ve found your people.

Even if you prefer not to cosplay, one of the best parts of Fan Expo is walking around checking out people’s costumes. Cosplayers spend months perfecting their outfit, and they produce some incredible work. I’ve seen elaborate Xenomorph and Predator costumes that left me awestruck.

Most cosplayers are happy to talk about their costumes and offer tips if you want to get into character for the next big event. And best of all, they’re more than willing to take photos with you. Nothing jazzes up your Instagram feed more than a selfie with Groot.

Look, I’m not even a car guy, but this next bit of news has me excited. The picnic and parade will also offer a celebrity car show.

FAN EXPO Canada pays tribute to the iconic vehicles from your favourite pop culture movies and TV shows. Check out the 1981 DeLorean from Back to the Future, Herbie the Love Bug, The Dukes of Hazzard General Lee and many more!

The Fan Expo Canada Picnic & Parade takes place at Bandshell Park on Monday, August 19th from 12pm to 4pm.

Fan Expo Canada runs August 22-25, 2019 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

FAN EXPO Canada™ celebrates 25 years inviting fans far and wide to discover, celebrate and belong with them from August 22-25, 2019 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The annual convention is the largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming event in Canada and the second largest in North America. This year the show floor will be packed with exciting family-friendly activities and celebrity guests including John Travolta (Pulp Fiction), Rainn Wilson (The Office), Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park), Zachary Levi (Shazam!) and more. The all-ages pop culture convention expects to host over 130,000 fans in 750,000 sq. ft. of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the four-day event.