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Edmonton’s pop culture faithful descended on the EXPO Centre this past weekend for the 2025 Edmonton Expo, a three-day celebration of all things nerdy. The big draw this year was an epic reunion of hobbits from The Lord of the Rings, but with a history of being overshadowed by its larger Canadian counterparts, the question loomed: did the event deliver a journey worthy of Middle-earth, or was it a long, unexpected party with a few too many bumps along the road?
After spending three days navigating the crowds, panels, and the sprawling show floor, the answer is a bit of both. For the tens of thousands who attended, the Expo was a vibrant, chaotic spectacle fueled by incredible fan passion, even if it was hampered by some notable absences.
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The Hobbit Fellowship and the Ghosts of Guests Past
Let’s get straight to the main quest: the guests. Fan Expo HQ went all in, successfully landing the ultimate fellowship: Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan. This Lord of the Rings reunion was the undeniable centerpiece of the weekend, with a special ticketed event, “The Four Hobbits: An Unexpected Reunion,” offering fans a premium experience with the cast. The excitement for this alone was palpable and, for many, made the price of admission worth it.
For me, it was thrilling. I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan, but I do own all the books and the 30-disc ultimate film collection… okay, maybe I am one. I wasn’t alone in feeling this way: over the four years I’ve attended, this Expo somehow felt different – better, more exciting. It was less of a cosplay showcase and more of a genuine event, with something to offer even for out-of-towners. And indeed, people came from all over, especially from the often-overlooked Saskatchewan. The excitement peaked on Sunday, with hobbits and wizards of all kinds filling the halls to the brim. The line for Elijah Wood’s autograph alone stretched what felt like a kilometer, even delaying the main event.
Read also: Edmonton Comics & Entertainment Expo 2024: A Review
The event itself was a fun, cozy affair, with all four guests looking genuinely happy to be there. The local crowd got a special treat when they saw their heroes sporting Edmonton Oilers jerseys.
The event went on for quite a while, filled with impromptu fart jokes, charades, and even a drawing competition. Was it worth the money? Hard to say for sure, but I’d argue it was – everywhere I looked, people were beaming from ear to ear. Edmonton rarely gets truly exciting guests (though I did geek out last year when I saw Temuera Morrison and Anthony Daniels).
Other notable attendees included Christopher Lloyd, Brandon Routh, and Robert Patrick, providing a solid, if not earth-shattering, supporting cast. I was also ecstatic to meet Troy Baker. Probably the most versatile voice actor in gaming had an incredible panel.
As usual, the triumph of securing the hobbits was undercut by a string of high-profile cancellations. The official website listed a “Cancelled Guests” section that was painfully long, featuring names like Mae Whitman (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Tom Welling and Laura Vandervoort (Smallville), and Catherine Tate (Doctor Who). While cancellations are an unfortunate reality of con life, the sheer number this year left some holes in the schedule. Still, that happens every year.
A Three-Day Journey Through Fandom
The Expo unfolded over three distinct days, each with its own rhythm and energy.
Friday: The Opening Party The weekend kicked off Friday afternoon, with a special preview for eager fans holding 3-day passes before the doors opened to the general public. The day culminated in the “Fandom Festival Block Party,” a kickoff party designed to set the tone with music and high energy, transitioning the con from a day of shopping into a weekend-long celebration.
Saturday: The Peak Uncharacteristically, Saturday was not the main event. The halls of the Edmonton EXPO Centre were packed, showcasing the most impressive cosplays and hosting some the weekend’s biggest events – but not the biggest. The highlight for many was the Cosplay Craftsmanship Cup, where Edmonton’s most talented costumers competed for glory on the main stage. This was the day to see and be seen, with the highest energy and the biggest crowds.
Sunday: The Hobbits The final day was mad. Sundays are often a chance for last-minute shopping, catching a final fan panel, or simply soaking in the atmosphere without the intense crowds of Saturday. This time, due to the hobbits, it was absolutely packed like I’ve never seen before.
The Heart of the Con: Cosplay and Community
While the celebrity guests draw the headlines, the soul of Edmonton Expo is its fan community, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the cosplay scene. The effort and creativity on display were staggering. Fan Expo supported this with a full slate of cosplay-focused events, including a red carpet for both adults and kids, workshops, and official meetups for various fandoms. The Cosplay HQ served as a dedicated space for cosplayers to relax and make repairs, a thoughtful touch for those in complex outfits.
The show floor itself was a massive marketplace of comics, collectibles, and unique art. While there were the usual mountains of Funko Pops, Artists’ Alley offered a chance to connect with and buy directly from creators. The venue, the Edmonton EXPO Centre, proved to be a clean and spacious host for the event, though with the recurring issue of expensive parking.
Ultimately, Edmonton Expo 2025 was a reflection of the modern convention experience: an event defined by its headliners but sustained by its community. If you were a Lord of the Rings fan, the opportunity to see the four hobbits together was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The vibrant cosplay and passionate atmosphere created a welcoming space for all fandoms. However, the guest cancellations were a usual drawback, reinforcing the feeling that Edmonton sometimes struggles to secure the deep, diverse lineups of larger shows. The Expo remains a con where your enjoyment is “what you make of it,” a fantastic regional gathering that, for thousands of fans, was a weekend well spent.