Enthusiasts of all things pop culture from across New England braved temperatures exceeding 95° to attend Boston Fan Expo this weekend.

The convention is an annual three-day celebration of all things nerdy, hosted by FAN EXPO HQ, the world’s largest comic-con producer, at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center (MCEC).

“FAN EXPO Boston 2026 will delight fans of all ages who want to meet legendary actors and comic creators who have made their mark on pop culture history,” said Andrew Moyes, Vice President of FAN EXPO. “Fans can immerse themselves in fandom and have access to their favorite actors and creators through photo ops, autographs, panels and special events.”

Anyone who has ridden the Red Line during convention season could tell you that the costumes range from Halloween costume-esque to elaborate creations featuring hand-sewn capes, wigs, and even real armor made from materials not known for their breathability.

“It really just shows everybody’s commitment and their passion to the art that they love,” said Alexis Beliveau, who was dressed as Rouge from “The X-Men.” “It’s amazing to see all these artists come together in different ways, so I think that people brave the weather just for the community.”

Veteran cosplayer Joshua Madruga said he thinks people’s dedication to showing up despite the weather really proves how seriously fans take representing these characters.

The Salem local makes regular appearances around his hometown as Beetlejuice, but said he likes to take on more niche characters that push him to learn new things about design. He has been coming to Fan Expo for more than a decade in costumes that have grown more elaborate every year. With full face paint, props, and ethylene-vinyl acetate foam armor, Madruga put his own spin on “Mortal Kombat” antagonist Quan-Chi.

“I’m 50 years old, but I’m still cosplaying. I’m still doing this, and I love it,” he said. “I think I’m getting better as I get older. My attention to detail is much more precise, and I like doing characters that are challenging and characters that you don’t see all the time.”

Attendees enjoyed the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center’s air conditioning, expansive artist alley vending specialty crafts from local artists, alongside a retinue of celebrity guests.

On Sunday, Captain America actor and Massachusetts native Chris Evans took to the main stage for a live panel on bringing to life one of Marvel Comics’ most iconic heroes and his favorite moments from playing the character ahead of his return in “Avengers: Doomsday” this December.

Evans revealed Marvel had approached him with pitches to continue the character after the events of “Avengers: Endgame” that he called fantastic but a compromise on the legacy of the character. He withheld specific details on “Doomsday,” but said his favorite moment as Steve Rogers will be in the film.

“[Directors Joe and Anthony Russo] love beating up Steve Rogers,” he said. “To them, that’s what makes a hero, not someone who never gets punched, but someone who gets punched so many times and still finds a way to get up. So they keep finding new ways to kick his butt, and this one was brutal.”

This year’s convention was also a stop on the official reunion tour for the “Lord of the Rings” films. “An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years” saw hobbit actors Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, and Elijah Wood take the stage to reflect on a quarter-century of unexpected journeys. The fellowship was spotted dining, drinking, and reveling around Greater Boston this weekend, with stops at Green Dragon Tavern, Neptune Oyster, and La Royale.

Fan Expo will return to Boston next year for December 3-5 as the Menino Center completes renovations that summer. More information on future cons can be found on Fan Expo’s newsletter, available here.