More than spectacle: MomoCon celebrates its 21st anniversary in Atlanta, launches collaboration with Japan’s Wonder Festival

As Atlanta prepares for another year of MomoCon, downtown Atlanta will once again transform into a sprawling celebration of cosplay, gaming, anime, comics, animation and creative self-expression. From May 21 through May 24, the city will become a living extension of the convention itself as attendees dressed in elaborate handcrafted costumes, detailed armor and carefully styled wigs move through hotel lobbies, restaurants and public spaces embodying an unmistakable sense of joy and community. What was once considered niche fandom culture has evolved into one of Atlanta’s most significant large-scale creative gatherings, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across the country and, increasingly, around the world.

What began in 2004 as a modest campus event organized by students at Georgia Institute of Technology has since grown into one of the largest fan conventions in the United States. Co-founder Jess Merriman reflected on the convention’s earliest days while serving as an officer in the university’s anime and gaming club. “We wanted to throw an event,” recalled Merriman. “We were like, ‘Why don’t we try this?’”

Co-founder Chris Stuckey, who initially volunteered as a freshman overseeing anime screening rooms, later joined Merriman in helping shape the convention’s long-term vision and expansion. More than two decades on, MomoCon now occupies well over 1 million square feet within the Georgia World Congress Center and continues to experience rapid growth year after year. According to Merriman, attendance is expected to increase by approximately 10% this year alone, continuing a pattern of sustained annual expansion that has ranged between 8% and 20% in recent years.

This year, for the first time in the convention’s history, MomoCon will span two full buildings within the convention center, further solidifying its role not only as a major entertainment event but also as an increasingly influential contributor to Atlanta’s tourism and creative economy.

“Ten years ago, where we’re at now would have felt unreachable,” said Merriman.

Despite its immense scale, MomoCon continues to retain the sense of intimacy and authenticity that has long distinguished it from other large conventions. That emotional connection remains central to the experience for many attendees who return each year not solely for entertainment but for the rare feeling of belonging and acceptance the event fosters.

The 2026 event also marks a significant expansion of the convention’s international reach through a landmark collaboration with Wonder Festival, a renowned international event centered around collectible figures and artisan craftsmanship in Japan for the past four decades. This partnership is Wonder Festival’s first appearance in North America and signals MomoCon’s continued evolution onto a larger global stage.

“We’re taking an event that has existed for 40 years in Japan and bringing it to the U.S. for the first time,” said Merriman. “We’ve been working with some great craftsmen for the creator section and some awesome companies coming from both the U.S. and Japan that have never been to MomoCon before.”

Still, the heart of MomoCon extends far beyond spectacle or scale. Its deeper cultural significance lies in the community it creates and the sense of visibility it offers attendees who may have once felt isolated in their interests. 

Throughout MomoCon weekend, downtown Atlanta takes on an entirely different atmosphere as convention-goers openly celebrate the characters, stories and creative communities that shaped them. Even for those outside the convention itself, the energy is impossible to ignore as crowds gather throughout the city in full cosplay, transforming public spaces into spontaneous sites of performance, artistry and connection.

“I can look around at the event, and I see people that are finding their community, and they feel included sometimes for the first time ever,” Merriman said. “Helping people find their community is an amazing feeling.”

That sense of belonging has become increasingly meaningful amid broader conversations surrounding loneliness, identity and the loss of authentic communal spaces, particularly among younger generations. For many longtime attendees, MomoCon represents a striking cultural shift from earlier years when interests surrounding anime, gaming and cosplay were often dismissed or ridiculed. Today, those same forms of fandom fill convention centers with tens of thousands of people proudly embracing creativity, craftsmanship and self-expression on a massive scale.

MomoCon’s impact also extends beyond fandom culture itself through ongoing partnerships with regional nonprofits and charitable organizations. This year’s featured charity partner is Silence the Shame, an Atlanta-based organization focused on mental health advocacy and awareness. The convention also regularly collaborates with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to create memorable experiences for children facing serious health challenges.

“Watching a Make-A-Wish kid get to meet one of their heroes, like a voice actor or animation creator, is amazing,” said Merriman. “It’s incredible to witness the joy on these kids’ faces.”

That emotional sincerity appears deeply embedded within the culture of the convention itself. 

“I’m an oversharer by nature,” she laughed. “Trying to be as authentic and transparent and candid as possible has been part of our DNA.”

That openness has helped the convention navigate the logistical realities that accompany rapid expansion, including repeatedly outgrowing venues and adapting to increasingly large crowds. And yet even as the scale of the event continues to grow, MomoCon’s leadership remains committed to maintaining the same spirit of experimentation and responsiveness that defined its beginnings more than 20 years ago at Georgia Tech.

“If we can accomplish something that a lot of people want to do, we’re going to try to do it,” Merriman said. “It doesn’t matter how silly or weird or off the wall it is.”

That philosophy also informs some of the convention’s quieter creative spaces, including workshops focused on sewing, prop making, costume construction and hands-on artistry. While large celebrity appearances and gaming events often dominate public attention, Merriman emphasized that these smaller creative environments remain among her favorite aspects of the convention because they embody the collaborative and imaginative spirit that continues to define MomoCon at its core.

As Atlanta continues positioning itself as a global center for entertainment, film, gaming and digital culture, MomoCon stands as a powerful reflection of the city’s evolving creative identity. More than a convention, it has become a cultural institution that demonstrates how fandom, artistry and community-building have moved from the margins into the center of contemporary cultural expression. For the thousands preparing to once again descend upon downtown Atlanta, the lasting magic of MomoCon lies not simply in the spectacle but in the rare experience of feeling fully seen among people who understand them completely.

For additional information, ticketing and registration details, visit MomoCon’s official registration page.

::

Brittany Mackins is an Atlanta-based writer and creative with a deep love for the intersections of art, healing and community. Blending her background in journalism, brand storytelling, creative writing and event production, she writes to honor the stories behind the art, the lived experiences, emotions and cultural roots that shape creative expression. Her lens centers diverse artistry in all its expansive forms.