#FIRSTLOOK: FAN EXPO CANADA PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

FAN EXPO Canada is excited to unveil the official schedule for 2025 and programming for a four day celebration packed with long-awaited reunions, nostalgia filled moments, brand-new product launches, limited edition merch, must-see activations over 400,000 sq. ft. of unique shopping and surprises around every corner.

From August 21 to 24, 2025, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North and South buildings will transform into the ultimate fan destination. Whether you are a fan of cosplay, fantasy, sci-fi, comics horror, gaming, or anime, this year’s event is brimming with something for everyone.

The show floor will be buzzing with can’t-miss programming, from a full-scale free-play Retroware Arcade and the return of Idolfest—featuring powerhouse J-pop groups Kamen Joshi (from Japan) and Non Sweet (from Vancouver)—to blockbuster events like Comics Xplosion, Jim Lee Live on Stage, and the stars of Netflix’s Wednesday who will make a stop on The Doom Tour for a delightfully dreadful panel. Fans can also travel back in time with An Evening with Marty and Doc: Celebrating 40 Years with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, experience the force of Ewan McGregor Live, or roll the dice at D&D Live Play Nights: Legends of Gaming where an epic tale unfolds each evening of the show. Adding even more sparkle, Level Up! A Drag Spectacular, hosted by Bear Sailor Moon, brings fandom and performance together, while the Masters of Cosplay: Maple Leaf Qualifier showcases some of the best costumes in the country.

Fans can also dive into an array of interactive brand activations that bring some of the biggest names in entertainment and gaming to life. The Bell Esports Challenge returns with live in-person finals and $60,000 CAD in prizing, while Cineplex Pictures invites attendees to step inside the illusion with a Now You See Me: Now You Don’t photo op and immersive experience. At the Disney+ Throwback Experience, fans can relive the best of the ’90s and 2000s before venturing into the worlds of Alien: Earth and Percy Jackson. eBay Canada celebrates its 25th anniversary with collectibles, curated finds, and custom trading cards, while the LEGO® booth offers massive builds, giveaways, and the newly-revealed LEGO® Game Boy™ set. MGA’s Miniverse™ Make It Mini Experience returns with playful surprises, and Paramount+’s Adventure to the Peak transports fans through Yellowstone, SpongeBob, Dexter, and beyond in a 4D journey. Horror lovers can test their courage in The Conjuring: Last Rites – Reflections of Evil, a pulse-pounding mirror maze, while fans of Wednesday can explore the Alone Zone – a space for people who loathe people. Nostalgia takes center stage with Retrokid, bringing Canadian childhood favourites back in style, and the TRON Lightcycle offers a high-speed ride through futuristic Canadian cityscapes.

This year’s FAN EXPO Canada also boasts an exciting lineup of celebrity guests, including stars of TV, film, theatre, animation, comics and gaming, such as Hailee Steinfeld (Hawkeye, Sinners), William Shatner (Star Trek), Mary Steenburgen (Back to the Future Part III, Stepbrothers, Elf), Tom Welling (Smallville), Mike Tyson (Boxing Legend, The Hangover), Dafne Keen (Deadpool & Wolverine), John Boyega (Star Wars), Mason Thames (How to Train Your Dragon, The Black Phone 1 & 2), Brandon Routh (Superman Returns, Legends of Tomorrow), Tyler Hoechlin (Superman & Lois, Teen Wolf), Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers, Yellowjackets), Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville), Catherine Tate (Doctor Who), Heather Locklear (Spin City, Melrose Place), Sting (Wrestling Superstar), Trish Stratus (Wrestling Superstar), Peggy The Dog (Deadpool & Wolverine), Dante Basco (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Hudson Thames (Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, What If…?), Richard Horvitz (Helluva Boss), Jack De Sena (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Alex Brightman (Hazbin Hotel, Helluva Boss), and many more!

Programming highlights for FAN EXPO Canada 2025 include:

An Evening with Marty and Doc, Celebrating 40 Years!
Friday, August 22 at 7:00 PM
Celebrate 40 years of Back to the Future at FAN EXPO Canada with the legendary Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. With various once-in-a-lifetime packages for this iconic cast reunion, there’s something for everyone.

Ewan McGregor LIVE
Saturday, August 23 at 6:00 PM
The legendary Ewan McGregor is headed to FAN EXPO Canada. Photo ops, autographs, Ewan McGregor Live, and The Ultimate Ewan McGregor Package are available now.

Smallville Nights
Saturday, August 23 at 7:00 PM
Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum are bringing Smallville to life like never before at FAN EXPO Canada. From reading iconic scenes to directing fans in unforgettable moments, this one-night-only event promises laughter, nostalgia, and a few surprises. Attendees will leave with a special keepsake, and a lucky few will win prizes straight from Tom and Michael’s collection. Don’t miss your chance to join the fun, relive the drama, and witness the ultimate Smallville throwback.

Jim Lee: Live on Stage
Saturday, August 23 at 3:00 PM
Comic book royalty is heading to FAN EXPO Canada. Don’t miss your chance to snag exclusive autographs and sketch experiences with Jim Lee.

Comics Xplosion
Saturday, August 23 at 7:30 PM | The Rec Room
Get ready for the ultimate after-hours showdown at Comics Xplosion. Watch artists go head-to-head and paint masterpieces live before your eyes. A DJ sets the vibe while a moderator gives you a front-row seat to fresh styles and bold creativity. When the paint settles, seize your chance to own a one-of-a-kind piece through a live auction. So if you’re looking for unforgettable entertainment, this is the place to be. Admission is included with your FAN EXPO Canada 2025 badge.

D&D Live Play Nights: Legends of Gaming – unfold four epic tales at FAN EXPO Canada featuring Damien Haas, Omid Abtahi, Faye Mata, and more. Get set for musicals, magic, necromancy and more.

Level UP! A Drag Spectacular
Friday, August 22 at 6:00 PM
It’s giving power-up, it’s giving cosplay fantasy, it’s giving everything.The FAN EXPO Drag Show returns with a leveled-up lineup: Baby Bel Bel, Devine Darling, and the unforgettable Bear Sailor Moon hosting it all. Get ready for a night where sequins collide with fandom, the energy is fierce, and every performance brings the house down. Your badge gets you in—bring the cheers and tip your queens.

Fan Fave Cosplays
Get ready to show off your cosplay. With events like the Cosplay Red Carpet and Cosplay Competitions, you can flaunt your look, have photos taken, and compete for cosplay glory. If you’re not cosplaying at the show, come take a look at what fellow fans have created and snap some awesome pics.

CODE 8
The team behind Code 8 is back – and this time, they’re flipping the script. Robbie Amell is joined by director Jeff Chan, writer/producer Chris Paré, and a panel moderator to unveil Code 8: Tales of Lincoln City, Vol 1, a brand-new graphic novel exploring the untold origin story of Connor Reed and Lincoln City. Be among the first to see this thrilling expansion of the Code 8 universe. Don’t miss this exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation on bringing Code 8 to life in graphic novel form.

BRAND ACTIVATIONS

Highlights include:

Bell Esports Challenge
The Bell Esports Challenge is back. This tournament series is designed to develop the amateur Esports community by providing opportunities for players to compete at the next level. Live, in-person finals will be held at FAN EXPO Canada where competitors will be able to compete for $60,000 CAD in prizing.

Cineplex Pictures Presents – Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
Cineplex Pictures invites you to step into the illusion at this year’s FAN EXPO Canada. Inspired by the upcoming release of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the booth features an exclusive photo op and immersive experience that puts you inside the world of the Four Horsemen. Stop by, take a pic, and don’t miss the chance to win fun prizes!

The Conjuring: Last Rites – Reflections of Evil
To celebrate the theatrical release of The Conjuring: Last Rites, you’re invited to enter Reflections of Evil, a 60-foot pulse-pounding mirror maze inspired by the thrilling new chapter in the iconic Conjuring cinematic universe. Before winding your way through shadowy corridors filled with sinister reflections, you’ll receive a blessing by a priest to protect you from the evil forces lurking within. Fans that survive the maze can celebrate their courage with a commemorative photo and exclusive keepsake. Don’t miss Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last case as real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring: Last Rites — only in theatres September 5

Disney+ Throwback Experience
Explore the Disney+ Throwback Experience with totally rad elements from the best of the ’90s & 2000s. Then leave those decades behind as you enter the highly classified wreckage site of the USCSS Maginot from Alien: Earth and see through the mist at the Percy Jackson Experience.

eBay Canada’s Home of Collectibles
eBay Canada is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and will be marking this milestone at Fan Expo with a slate of games, prizes and interactive experiences. eBay’s booth highlights nostalgic and modern fandoms, alongside trending collectibles fans can find on eBay.ca. Event attendees can also create a personalized, custom trading card at the eBay booth – eBay is the largest global online marketplace for trading cards – and can shop unique finds curated by eBay sellers Parthava Coin and Back to Back Games.

LEGO®
Step into the ultimate fan destination at the LEGO® booth. From epic Minecraft® and Fortnite® builds to jaw-dropping Super Mario™, Wicked and Wolverine models, you’ll find fandom, built brick-by-brick. Plus see the just-revealed LEGO® Game Boy™ set, take home a make and take build, score giveaways, and so much more!

MGA’s Miniverse
MGA’s Minverse™ Make It Mini Experience returns to FAN EXPO Canada. See what’s new and spin the wheel to see which Miniverse you’ll create. Visit booth 420 and Make It Mini!

Paramount+’s Adventure to the Peak
Take your FAN EXPO Canada experience to new heights at Paramount+’s Adventure to the Peak, an immersive 4D experience guided by our very own Goat through the worlds of Yellowstone, SpongeBob, Dexter, and more! Catch your ride at Booth 1442.

Wednesday: The Doom Tour
The Doom Tour continues to Toronto at FAN EXPO Canada. You are summoned to join the stars of Wednesday for a delightfully dreadful panel on Saturday, August 23 at 1:00pm in Theatre 3. Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, and Isaac Ordonez will be digging up the details of Season 2 so far and sharing what’s to come in Part 2.

Not enough torture for you? Check out the Wednesday “Alone Zone” – a space for people who loathe people – located at Booth #933 Thursday through Sunday.

Retrokid
Step into a retro-fuelled experience where your childhood TV idols come to life. Whether you grew up in the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, or 2000s, there’s a familiar face waiting for you at the Retrokid booth.

Rooted in Canadian childhood memories and fuelled by classic wearable throwbacks, this is nostalgia reimagined. You’ve never seen Retrokid like this.

TRON Lightcycle
The Invasion is here! Don’t miss your chance to ride the TRON Lightcycle and race through iconic Canadian cityscapes. Create a shareable photo or video revealing the hidden “GRID”, slowly taking over the streets behind you, and don’t forget to see Tron: Ares only in theatres, October 10.

For the full programming schedule, visit: fanexpohq.com/fanexpocanada/schedule

For a complete list of programming, guests, info, and tickets, visit: https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpocanada/