Year after year, Motor City Comic Con brings together fans of comics, movies, television, gaming, cosplay, wrestling, and pop culture for one massive weekend in Michigan, and the 2026 convention is shaping up to be one of its biggest yet. Taking place May 15-17 at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi, Michigan, the convention will once again feature celebrity guests, comic creators, cosplay guests, panels, gaming, artist alley, wrestling shows, kids activities, contests, and more for fans to explore all weekend long.
The convention runs Friday from 12 PM to 7 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Whether you are planning to attend for a single day or spend the entire weekend at the con, there will be plenty happening throughout all three days.
One of the biggest highlights every year is the celebrity guest lineup, and this year’s roster is packed with fan favorites from across film, television, and gaming. Some of the guests I am especially excited to see include Shawn Ashmore, Jerry Trainor, Billie Lourd, Karl Urban, Charlie Cox, Kit Harington, Hayley Atwell, and Selma Blair. Alongside celebrity guests, MC3 also features comic creators, cosplay guests, moderators, and talented artists from all over the country.
One of my favorite things about MC3 is honestly how well organized their website is. Everything is easy to navigate, especially if you are trying to plan out your weekend ahead of time. Each celebrity guest page includes what they are best known for, autograph and photo op pricing, and links to their IMDb pages. I cannot even count how many times I have clicked through and suddenly realized, “Oh wait, THAT’S what I know them from!”
The artist alley and crafters area is also always one of the best parts of any convention experience. There are so many incredibly talented artists and creators showcasing prints, comics, handmade items, collectibles, and original art. One thing I always recommend is checking out the artist list ahead of time and taking screenshots of booths you want to prioritize. MC3 makes this especially easy because many artist profiles also show you exactly where they will be located for the weekend. And the crafters' pages hyperlink directly to their websites so you can preview their work before the convention weekend even begins.
If your goal is meeting celebrity guests, planning ahead is definitely important. Some guests will have extremely long lines and may even cap their autograph lines for the day depending on popularity. Professional photo ops are usually very quick and fast-paced, so if you are hoping to have a little more interaction with a guest, meeting them at their autograph table is often the better option. Convention veterans online frequently recommend bringing cash, building a schedule ahead of time, and prioritizing the guests or booths you most want to experience first.
For attendees looking to maximize their weekend, MC3 offers several ticket options including single-day passes, weekend passes, and VIP packages. At-the-door tickets will still be available during the weekend, though prices are slightly higher than online pre-sale rates. Children 6-12 also receive discounted admission depending on the day, and on Sunday ALL children under 12 are free with a paid adult. Kids 5 and under are free all weekend.
The VIP package especially stands out for anyone hoping to meet multiple guests throughout the weekend. VIP admission includes a full weekend pass, exclusive merch items, VIP panel seating, autograph and photo op fast passes, a $25 merch booth gift certificate, and more. If there are several celebrity guests you are hoping to meet, I always highly recommend looking into the VIP option because the fast pass access and reserved panel seating can make a huge difference during a busy convention weekend.
Parking is available on site for $10 per vehicle with in-and-out privileges throughout the day, though day-of parking is cash only. Fans can also purchase parking ahead of time through the convention website.
For attendees traveling into Michigan for the convention, MC3 also offers discounted hotel rates through partnered hotels near the venue, helping make the weekend a little easier for out-of-town fans.
With celebrity guests, artist alley, cosplay, gaming, panels, wrestling shows, and activities for fans of all ages, Motor City Comic Con continues to be one of the biggest and most exciting pop culture conventions in the Midwest. Whether you are attending to meet your favorite celebrity, hunt for collectibles, discover new artists, or simply spend the weekend surrounded by fellow fans, there will be no shortage of things to experience throughout the weekend.
Fans can find ticket information, guest lists, hotels, parking, and more through the official Motor City Comic Con website, and you can view the full programming schedule here: MC3 2026 Programming Schedule
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