Raleigh, N.C. (May 20, 2025) – Comic cons and fan culture are flourishing in Raleigh, N.C. – a city that fully embraces niche cultures and interests. Some of the area’s biggest fan conventions return to Raleigh year after year, driving visitation and economic impact during strategic weekends that may otherwise be slow for local businesses. Beyond the significant economic impact, these events also create a welcoming gathering space and community-building opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Animazement is held each May in Raleigh, celebrating the world of Japanese visual culture through anime, manga, games, traditional crafts and more. The Triangle Area Anime Society began as a North Carolina State University club with a 36-hour anime marathon in 1997. Today, the 501(c)3 organization Education Growth Across Oceans produces the event. In nearly 30 years, Animazement has grown to a 13,000-plus person annual event at the Raleigh Convention Center, where fans of Japanese art and culture come together to learn, shop from small vendors, meet artists and creators and show off their own artistic talents. Animazement is a play on the word “anime,” a term audiences use to refer to animation originating from Japan. This annual event is known for its cosplay element, where guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters – some even compete in the weekend’s cosplay competitions. The event plays a larger role in the Raleigh tourism economy, attracting visitors from all over the state and country to spend their Memorial Day weekend in Raleigh. This year, Animazement will be held at the Raleigh Convention Center May 23-25, and tickets are on sale now.

Raleigh’s most popular touring convention, GalaxyCon, is a 4-day multi-genre pop culture convention that features educational sessions, celebrities, contests, parties, shopping and more. The convention covers a wide range of popular cultures from comic books, sci-fi, anime, gaming, cosplay, wrestling, nostalgic movies and television shows. Attendees can dress up like their favorite characters, participate in Q&As and photo opportunities, shop at the vendor hall and meet their favorite actors and creators. GalaxyCon is one of the most attended events held at the Raleigh Convention Center, and with over 45,000 attendees, the convention brought $9.75 million in direct economic impact to Raleigh in 2024. This year’s event will take place July 24-27; tickets are on sale now.

In 2024, the team behind GalaxyCon built on their success, bringing GalaxyCon Presents Animate! to the Raleigh Convention Center. Now an annual event in early January, when travel typically slows, Animate! celebrates all things animation and nerd culture. Attendees can meet their favorite voice actors and creators as well as participate in Q&A panels, gaming and costume contests, wrestling and more. Raleigh and its event partners continually collaborate to grow capacity and elevate experiences to make sure the City of Oaks feels like a home away from home for every visitor.

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
As the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, Visit Raleigh is responsible for promoting Wake County as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the organization strengthens the industry and community's economic position and provides opportunities for people throughout Wake County. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes 18.5 million visitors annually, whose spending tops $3.2 billion. The visitor economy supports nearly 26,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $307 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $712 in taxes annually. visitRaleigh.com

Media Contact:
Visit Raleigh
Veronica Clark
Public Relations and International Tourism Manager
919.819.8292
vclark@visitraleigh.com

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