With the HBO series ending and an unknown wait time for George R. R. Martin’s final A Song of Ice and Fire book, many Game of Thrones fans are left with a void. Fortunately, the popularity of the series has given rise to massive fan events all over the country. Whether you want to get up close and personal to the show’s stars or take on the Night King as Jon Snow in cosplay, fuel your passion at one of these five Games of Thrones festivals.
1. Ice & Fire Con — Mt. Sterling, Ohio
Since 2013, Ice and Fire Con has become a rite of passage for GoT fans in the U.S. Hosted in Mt. Sterling, OH, the conference caters to adult fans of the series with an age restriction of 18 years. It’s also one of the only events run by fans for fans, which offers a fun, interactive environment that’s both welcoming and affordable.
Since Fire and Ice Con is a nonprofit event, it doesn’t chase big names associated with the show. Instead, it creates a safe space for self-proclaimed GoT geeks to come together and find their people. Check out the book and show panels to discuss various aspects of the series, record a memory at the themed photoshoots, and become a champion at the board game and cosplay tournaments. There’s even a Westeros-inspired musical.
2. Con of Thrones — Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, TN, has long been considered the home of country music, but soon it’ll likely be renamed to Dragon City thanks to Con of Thrones. The conference only began in 2017, but as one of few festivals dedicated solely to the GoT fandom, it’s already made a huge impact. Spanning three days, attendees have the opportunity to take part in a plethora of events. There are panels delving deep into the history, politics, and folklore of the series; theatrical cosplay presentations and contests; and after-hour parties.
Every year thus far, Con of Thrones offers appearances from some of the television show’s most popular actors and creators. For instance, in 2019, Hannah Murray (Gilly), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister) are all featured guests at the Games of Thrones festival. Along with interviews, guests have the ability to purchase event add-ons to get photos with the stars as well as autographs.
3. San Diego Comic-Con
San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is one of the most well-known fan conventions in the world, attracting over 100,000 people annually. While it’s not solely focused on Game of Thrones, the cast, producers, writers, and even George R. R. Martin have made appearances at the event over the years. Plus, there are GoT panels featured just about every year. Even when there aren’t any official appearances at the San Diego conference, you’re sure to meet up with like-minded fans through cosplay, booths, exhibits, and parties.
4. Dragon Con — Atlanta, Georgia
Hosted yearly over Labor Day weekend, Dragon Con predates the A Song of Ice and Fire by nearly a decade, but the name is perfectly suited for Game of Thrones. The Atlanta festival invites fans of all ages to geek out over their favorite science fiction and fantasy novels, comics, movies, and television series. Along with panels, parties, and cosplay events, there’s even a parade and dedicated GoT group.
5. New York Comic Con
Serving as the East Coast’s answer to SDCC — without any actual brand affiliation, the New York Comic Con has been attracting fans of comics, television, and video games since 2006. Even though it doesn’t quite offer the name recognition of its California-based counterpart, the New York City event actually draws in a larger crowd with upwards of 180,000 people in attendance. It also regularly hosted star-studded _GoT_panels, pop-up shops, and parties. The three-day conference is held every year in October. If you want to enjoy an extended trip, use the festival as a jumping-off point for a New York vacation to explore the rest of what the state has to offer.
Book Your Game of Thrones Festival Travel Today
From entrance fees to branded merch, the expenses of a Game of Thrones festival add up quickly. Fortunately, you can avoid breaking your budget by booking travel with BusTickets.com. Use our price-comparison tool to find the most affordable rates on bus tickets across the country. Want to make a group trip? Grab your band of wildlings or unsullied troops and hit the road with our charter bus quote service. Your journey to the Seven Kingdoms awaits — buy your bus tickets today!
