Pensacon 2026 returns to Pensacola Bay Center with VIP option

Attendee dressed up as a storm trooper from Star Wars.

The Gulf Coast's premiere comic book and pop culture convention returns to downtown Pensacola Feb. 20 to 22, promising three days of celebrity guests, cosplay, artists, writers and vendors.

Pensacon 2026 once again transforms the Pensacola Bay Center and Wright Place Campus into a hub of fandom activity, bringing together enthusiasts from across the region for what has become one of the Pensacola's most anticipated conventions since its founding in 2013.

The Pensacola Bay Center will serve as the primary venue, hosting ticketing, celebrity autograph and photo opportunities, Artists' Alley, the Writers' Bloc and the vendor floor. Most other official activities will take place at the Wright Place Campus, located at 80 E. Wright St.

Convention hours are:

• Friday, 1-7 p.m.

• Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrity guests are stationed on the second and third floors of the Bay Center in the Coca-Cola, Body Armor and Monster Energy Celebrity Autograph Zones. Unless otherwise noted, guests are available to meet fans, sign autographs, and take photographs all three days, with pricing varying by celebrity.

The panel schedule and photo op times are available through both the app and website. Photo opportunities can be pre-purchased through Celeb Photo Ops, with any changes or cancellations posted on the convention's Guests page.

VIP Experience passholders can take advantage of early pass pick-up from 2 to 8 p.m. on both Wednesday, February 18, and Thursday, February 19, at the Youth Center on the Wright Place Campus, 27 E. Wright St. Three-day weekend and two-day Friday/Sunday passholders may also collect their passes Thursday evening.

Those preferring to pick up pre-purchased passes at the convention can do so at Will Call at the Bay Center, which opens two hours before the convention each day. Will call and ticket sales are available outside the front of the Bay Center one hour before opening.

Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the Bay Center. Food vendors will be stationed at the venue's front entrance, and numerous area restaurants will feature special fandom-themed menus and drink specials throughout the weekend.

Handicapped parking is available in the front lot of the Bay Center off Alcaniz Street. The gravel lot across Alcaniz Street is reserved for VIP parking only, with additional paid parking available throughout downtown.

Since its inception in 2013, Pensacon has grown into a cornerstone event for the Gulf Coast, drawing attendees from across the region who share a passion for comics, science fiction, fantasy, gaming and all corners of pop culture.