Highlights Include the 40thAnniversary Reunion of The Goonies Cast, 35thAnniversary Reunion of Teenage Mutant NinjaTurtles Cast, And Liv Tyler’s First Ever U.S. Convention
This Year Offers Something For Everyone in the Family Including Book Fair, Destination Cosplay, Awesome Con Jr. and the USA Jigsaw National Contest
Washington D.C. – Having debuted in 2013, Awesome Con has become one of the largest fan conventions on the East Coast. With programming targeting all ages and a bit of something for the geek in everyone, Awesome Con will take place April 4-6, 2025at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. This year’s highlights include The Goonies 40thAnniversary reunion, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 35th Anniversary reunion, Liv Tyler’s debut at a U.S. fan convention, and the tenth anniversary of the Awesome Con Short Film Festival.
Awesome Con pulls together over 60,000 fans with their favorite comics, movies, television shows, books, games, cosplay, and more. Section highlights include Science Fair—where science meets science fiction, Book Fair—for book dragons, aspiring authors and lit lovers of all ages, Awesome Con Jr.—the all-ages destination for the next generation of fans, Pride Alley—a celebration of queer creators and fans curated by Geeks OUT, Anime Yokocho—a haven for lovers of anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture, and Destination Cosplay—where cosplay fanatics can meet, pose and learn to improve their craft.
“We’re beyond excited about this year’s Awesome Con,” stated Lauren Dabb, Event Director of Awesome Con. “From The Goonies 40th Anniversary reunion to Liv Tyler’s first-ever U.S. convention appearance, we’ve put together a lineup that’s truly out of this world. Plus, with Awesome Con Jr., Destination Cosplay, and the USA Jigsaw Nationals, there’s something for every fan, no matter their age or fandom. It’s going to be an unforgettable weekend!”
Awesome Con panel highlights include:
Friday Main Stage (April 4, 2025):
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Hunter x Hunter Panel – Welcome voice talent Erica Mendez (voice of Gon), Cristina Vee (voice of Killua), Keith Silverstein (voice of Hisoka), Tara Sands (voice of Biscuit), and Mela Lee (voice of Canary) – Main Stage (Ballroom AB) – 2:15 PM
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Panel with Ross Marquand – Main Stage (Ballroom) – 3:30 PM
Saturday Main Stage (April 5, 2025):
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Simon Pegg and Nick Frost Panel – Main Stage (Ballroom) – 10:00 AM
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Ming-Na Wen Spotlight – Main Stage (Ballroom) – 11:15 AM
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The Goonies Reunion Panel – Featuring Corey Feldman, Joe Pantoliano, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Robert Davi, and Sean Astin– Main Stage (Ballroom) – 12:30 PM
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Blue’s Clues Panel – Featuring the three hosts Steve Burns, Josh Dela Cruz, and Donovan Patton – Main Stage (Ballroom) – 1:45 PM
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Voiceapalooza w/ Wes Johnson, Tara Sands and more! – Main Stage (Ballroom) – 3:00 PM
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Firefly Panel – Featuring Morena Baccarin and Sean Maher –Main Stage (Ballroom) – 4:15 PM
Sunday Main Stage (April 6, 2025):
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The Lord of the Rings Panel – Featuring Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler,and John Rhys-Davis – Main Stage (Ballroom) – 10:00 AM [Sean Astin will appear on The Goonies Reunion panel only]
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 35th Anniversary Reunion Panel – Featuring Brian Tochi, John Pais, Judith Hoag, and Robbie Rist – Main Stage (Ballroom) – 11:15 AM [Corey Feldman will appear on The Goonies Reunion panel only]
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LAVA Performance – Featuring voice actors and improv legends Robbie Daymond, Ray Chase, and Max Mittelman – Main Stage (Ballroom) – 12:30 PM
Other Key Highlights atAwesome Con Include:
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Book Fair: Panels with featured author guest and author signings at the Awesome Con Bookstore powered by Loyalty Bookstores (Booth #826). Authors attending include Casey McQuiston, Timothy Zahn, John Scalzi, Saraciea J. Fennell, P. Djèlí Clark, R.R. Virdi, Fonda Lee, Seanan McGuire, Peter Brown, M.L. Rio, Zoraida Córdova, Venessa Vida Kelley, and Angela Dominguez.Fans can also enjoy book-themed meetups throughout the weekend, which come with a free ribbon as a part of our Ribbon Rally!
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Destination Cosplay: Cosplay Meetups , Cosplay Repair, Cosplay Photoshoots, and Cosplayer Meet and Greets are taking place in back of Aisles 800-600. Cosplay-related panels are in Room 201. The Cosplay Competition will be held Saturday 6:30 – 8:30 PM on the Main Stage (Ballroom AB) and will feature a Drag Halftime Show.
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Awesome Con Jr. presented by ThinkFun, BRIO and Ravensburger: Blue’s Clues and YOU (Kid’s Q&A) – Sunday at 10:30 AM – A few lucky kids will get the chance to ask Steve Burns, Donovan “Joe” Patton, and Josh Dela Cruz questions. All weekend there will be movement based activities for kids and parents in the Movement Zone (Booth #442), drawing and creating workshops in the Workshops area (Booth #844) and a free play area featuring BRIO trains and other toys (Booth #437). There will be a Kids Cosplay Parade on both Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM in the Movement Zone. On Sunday, there will be a Peter Brown Drawing Workshopfrom 1:00 – 1:45 PM in the Workshops Area.
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Awesome Con Short Film Festival:Celebrating its 10thanniversary, the Awesome Con Short Film Festival will be happening all weekend featuring nearly 40 films across all genres including action, horror, comedy, drama, sci-fi, and beyond.
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USA Jigsaw Nationals: The USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association is hosting its 2025 USA Jigsaw Nationals at Awesome Con! It will be in the East Salon – more info at https://awesome-con.com/programming/highlights/
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Gaming: Fans can enjoy tabletop gaming presented by Labyrinth Games & Puzzles as well as video gaming with Retroware, Co-Operatives Escape Rooms, Next Level Gaming, and MAGFest. There will also be a mini figurine Paint and Take presented by Game Kastle College Park.
Other show features include the Science Fair, Pride Alley, Anime Yokocho, and theWe Create Pro Track facilitated by artist talent Tracie Ching and Robert Wilson IV.
Awesome Con will be held April 4-6, 2025 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Attendee badges may be purchased atAwesome Con.
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