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Conventions and festivals galore all happening in September

Sep. 8, 2017
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Summer is over, and school is starting up, but that doesn’t have to mean fun weekends are a thing of the past. As September gets under way, you’ll find that fabulous weekends jam-packed with fun and festivities will be taking place all through the month in cities across the U.S. That’s right: we’re talking about this month’s plethora of conventions and festivals! Take a look at what’s in store—whatever your interests, you’re sure to find something right up your alley.

SEPTEMBER 7-10   


Hopscotch Music Festival: Raleigh, NC 

Couldn’t make it to Coachella this year? Don’t sweat it! This weekend-long music festival is a hidden gem, promising a killer lineup and less intimidating (but equally Instagram-worthy) crowds.

Queen City Conquest: Buffalo, NY

Gamers, rejoice! From video games to special editions of Clue to tabletop RPGs, this gaming convention’s got you covered. Mingle with your fellow enthusiasts and get your game on.

Wizard World Nashville: Nashville, TN

If you’ve seen one comic-con, you’ve seen them all, right? Not quite: this fest leaves big-budget promos to the sellouts—sorry, I meant San Diego—opting instead for legacy guests like Jewel Staite, Nichelle Nichols, and even Stan Lee.

LouFest: St. Louis, MO

Hey, Missourians! Want to see all your favorite artists play from the comfort of backyard? LouFest has you covered with LouFest’s intimate, tightly-curated 2017 lineup.

WashingCon: Washington, D.C.

The convention is the go-to destination for tabletop gaming enthusiasts of all stripes. From hourly RPG sessions to Settlers of Catan tournaments to workshops on RPG design, WashingCon covers every step of the process.

SEPTEMBER 14-17 

Amherst Poetry Festival and Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon: Amherst, MA

English majors everywhere, rejoice! The mother of all poetry festivals is back with a jam-packed lineup—that means plenty of opportunities to get your-lit nerd on.

Full Bloom Festival: Statesville, NC

Move over, Sundance: this down-to-earth film festival is a cozy, heartfelt affair chock full of local faves.

Louisville Guitar Festival and Competition: Louisville, KY

Guitar-lovers everywhere should consider heading to this top-notch festival later this month. Whether you’re a guitarist yourself or just an enthusiast, the competition is sure to be a treat!

SEMO Con: Poplar Bluff, MO

Fantasy, sci-fi, gaming, comics: this convention has it all. Check it out to get your geek on with other like-minded Missourians.

Music Midtown Festival: Atlanta, GA

Bruno Mars, Haim, Blink-182, and more—i.e. the festival lineup of our dreams—are slated to hit the stage at this rockin’ (and rollin’, and poppin’, and soulin’) all-weekend extravaganza.

Polska Fest: San Jose, CA

Who knew San Jose was such a hotbed of Polish activity? If you’re looking to celebrate your Slavic heritage—or, hey, just looking for a more immersive cultural experience—this celebration of Polish culture and history might be just the ticket.

SEPTEMBER 21-24


Dallas Salsa Dance Festival: Dallas, TX

Salsa dance enthusiasts everywhere won’t want to miss the festivities at this swingin’ festival down in Dallas.

Peachtree Village International Film Festival: Atlanta, GA

Peachtree is a pretty special festival: it’s got all the great new indies, panels, and pitch sessions of film-fest giants like Sundance and SXSW, but none of the who’s-who posturing. Southern film buffs won’t want to miss this one.

Baltimore Book Festival: Baltimore, MD

Whether you’re an author or a bookworm, you’re sure to be delighted by this weekend full of workshops, panels, and author appearances. Check out “Writing About the Past” for tips on how to write the next Hamilton.

Baltimore Comic-Con: Baltimore, MD

Between Comic-Con and the Book Festival, Baltimore is looking to be pretty crowded this weekend. Still, this particular comic convention is worth it: in an age of mass comic-con commercialization, Baltimore Comic-Con is staying true to its funny-book roots—complete with a special appearance from the legendary Frank Miller.

Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Fort Myers, FL

This two-week festival would be a perfect fit for singer-songwriter enthusiasts who want to catch performances from as many of their faves as possible. Brooke Eden, Lindsay Ell, and RaeLynn will be in attendance.

Konsplosion: Fort Smith, AR

From cosplay contests to a “nerf-inspired battle arena”, this multi-genre convention has it all: expect panels and guests from franchises across all mediums, including comics, anime, and gaming. 

NY Art Book Fair: Long Island, NY

East Coast zinesters and artsy types would be ill-advised to miss this legendary festival devoted to any and all things artsy-wordsy. Art books, catalogues, zines galore (of course)—whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.

SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 1


PalmCon: Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach County has a comic-con of its very own! If you’re in south Florida this fall, make sure to check out the area’s premiere comic book and collectibles show on the last weekend of September.

Monster Mania-Con: Hunt Valley, MD

It’s never too early to get your spooky-scary on! Head over to Monster Mania-Con for a horror-themed fest of epic proportions, featuring special guests from the SAW franchise and Stranger Things.

Geek Girl Con: Seattle, WA

This one’s for the girls: this comic-con and gaming convention is dedicated specifically to nerdy women who are well and truly sick of fending off cries of “Fake geek girl!” Skip the headache and party with like-minded ladies at this Seattle-based convention.