Fan Expo Boston will return to the neighborhood on August 7-9 to celebrate pop culture in the heart of Boston. Live from the Thomas Michael Menino Convention Center, Fan Expo is a playground for all things comics, sci-fi, anime, and gaming, presented by the world’s largest comic-con producer.

On the convention floor, attendees can expect an expansive artist alley featuring local, regional, and professional artists, vendors selling rare and exclusive collectibles, and other like-minded fans of just about anything.

The convention floor features an expansive artist alley, vendors of rare and exclusive collectibles, and the chance to meet other fans of just about anything.

The event will also be an official stop on the “Lord of the Rings” cast reunion tour, “An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years.”

Actors Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, and Elijah Wood will reunite for a panel that is part variety show, part storytelling session, and a reflection on 25 years of unexpected journeys.

“Fan Expo is all about creating unforgettable experiences, and ‘An Evening with the Hobbits’ will be exactly that,” said Andrew Moyes, Vice President, Fan Expo HQ. “Fans are delighted whenever we host these gentlemen individually — but together, the energy is electric. Their characters are beloved, their friendship is indelible, and the joy they bring audiences is unmatched.”

A follow-up event, “Second Breakfast,” will feature a Lord of the Rings-inspired breakfast buffet at the Omni Boston Hotel in the Seaport. Both events are ticketed, with passes available here.

Other celebrity guests will include Karl Urban and the cast of Amazon’s “The Boys,” “Lethal Weapon” stars Danny Glover and Mel Gibson, and Boston’s own Chris Evans. For comic readers, creators including Tom King, Ryan Ottley, and Paul Dini will also be in attendance, signing autographs all weekend.

Cosplay is at the heart of any comics convention. Attendees can walk (or gawk) at Fan Expo’s cosplay red carpet or watch the Bay State Qualifier for the Masters of Cosplay competition. 

Amateur cosplayer Nick Pace said he is excited to hit the convention floor as Pitbull for a second year, and teased a special surprise for the Saturday night afterparty. He added that between the four cons he’s attended as Mr. Worldwide, it is the connections with other fans that keep him coming back.

“I’m starting to build a little network of friends in the cosplay space, and it warms my heart when people recognize both me and the cosplay itself,” he said. “I also do enjoy playing the same song over and over again at the con, too.”

A Cosplay Kickoff afterparty at Spin Boston will round out the first night of the convention, with Comics Xplosion art battle and “Lord of the Rings” themed bowling the evening of August 8.

More information and tickets are available here.