Photo provided by Fanime Con; Drawn by Rem
FanimeCon 2026 Survival Guide
Welcome to the Dylan Kim's ultimate guide on how to survive the Bay Area's very own Fanime Con, located right in the heart of Downtown San Jose, and hosted by the San Jose McEnery Convention Center!
What You need to know
The Information: Fanime Con is one of the largest conventions on the West Coast. Hosted at the San Jose McEnergy Center in the heart of Downtown San Jose, it's the second largest convention in California outside of Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California.
The Audience and its Purpose: Because of the large amount of convention goers that attend on a yearly basis here in San Jose: whether you're a veteran who has been attending the convention for a while now, or you're new to the San Jose Area or Fanime as a whole, this guide serves as a point of reference for you to refer to so you have an understanding of what to expect.
Overview of Content
Notice: Note that all images and links past this point are interactable and you will be redirected!
Photo provided by Fanime Con; Shot by Kirk L. (2025)
1. Fanime Home Page
Directing you to Fanime's very own webpage, there you can find or look for registration dates, make payments, search for upcoming events, book and reserve hotels, apply for Artist Alley and the Dealers Hall, or set up your own event for Fanime. Whether you're a first-time goer or a long-standing vet who has attended over multiple years, getting familiar with the official webpage will keep you in the loop for all things Fanime!
Photo provided by AX (2024)
2. News regarding Events/VIPs
Here, you will find news revolving the convention of any manner. This is typically reserved for things such as guests of honors, offers for panels for fans to create and gather other fans with, and generally what will be available and what to expect regarding VIPS and events. This site is periodically updated all the way up until Day 0 of the convention, and so it's good to check back here every once and a while to see what's new and what's going on.
Photo provided by Cloudinary and The Fab Restaurant
3. Restaurants Near the Convention Center
Food in and around the Downtown area can be quite difficult to explore, especially if you don't know what you're looking for or are undecisive. So if you're looking for a place to get away from the convention noise and relax for a bit, or if you're looking for a quick bite to eat so you don't miss your favorite upcoming events, we got you covered on some awesome spots for you to try out!
Shot by Kelvin Liu at Anime Expo LA, California (2023)
4. Cosplay Damage? What You Need to Know
Ran into an issue and your cosplay or props are coming apart? Don't fret! This guide has all the information that you'll need that in which you can fix your cosplay on the fly with a little bit of thread, glue, flame, or hair spray (for those pesky strands for your wigs)!
Photo provided by Skkaw.blog (2019)
5. Do's and Don'ts of Con Attendance
Every convention has their own flow to them. Fanime is no different. And while it might be exciting to go off the rails and express that excitement in the form of passion, it's best to remind yourself that you are in a shared space with other convention goers, and thus rules and some general tips are advised so that everyone can enjoy their time together. This part will explain the Do's and Don'ts.
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Keywords: FanimeCon 2026, San Jose Convention Center, Convention cosplay, Cosplay, Food, Anime, Manga
Research Links: Official Fanime Site | Yelp SJ Eateries