Reasons Why You Should Go to StocktonCon in Stockton, California

In the city dubbed the "official birthplace of the Fantastic Four" by Marvel Comics and Stan Lee himself, it's only right that we have a massive, comics & pop culture-infused celebration—and it happens FOUR TIMES a year (including Lodi Comic Con)!

Click here: StocktonCon Winter '26 is happening Feb. 28 & Mar. 1 at the Adventist Health Arena.

StocktonCon is the largest two-day pop culture celebration in Stockton, California for fans of comic books, superhero movies, anime, and all things nerd! Face it: It's cool to be a nerd now. Since its inception in 2012 at the University of the Pacific’s Spanos Center, the convention has grown considerably in size. So much so that it moved to its current home, the Adventist Health Arena, to accommodate its growing number of fans!

The convention takes place four times a year: in February (StocktonCon Winter) and August (StocktonCon Summer) here in Stockton, as well as in Lodi in May (Lodi Comic Con Spring) and October (Lodi Comic Con Fall). It attracts thousands of fans from across the region—many of whom will be coming in costumes and exploring pop culture in an entirely new way. The event’s mission is to raise awareness of outstanding artists in the Central Valley and to give attendees the chance to experience the ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. If you have never visited StocktonCon or know little about it, let us lure you in and give you reasons why you should attend this year.

StocktonCon is like no other event in the area when it comes to pop culture character devotion. You will find that the majority in attendance have taken the time and effort to look their very best during this two-day celebration. Fans come dressed up as their favorite superheroes, villains, and cartoon characters. From Superman and Batman to Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick, you are almost certain to find many attendees dressed as your favorite characters here.

BONUS: The comic convention holds two fun costume contests: One for ages 13 and up and the other for ages 12 and under—both held in the Adventist Health Arena Panel Room. So come in your most creative costume to StocktonCon and you just might walk away with cash or other fun prizes. To register, go to the StocktonCon Information and Merchandise booth by the main entrance at Adventist Health Arena.

This year’s "Winter 2026" convention guest list has an exciting mixture of talent, including artists, actors, voiceover talent, wrestlers, and more. That mix features The Boys' Laz Alonso and Jessie T. Usher, former WWE & AEW star Saraya, current AEW stars Anna Jay, Thunder Rosa, Jack Perry, and Tommaso Ciampa, voice actors Pete Capella (Sonic the Hedgehog), Kat Cressida (Dexter's Laboratory), Danielle Judovits (Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in The Batman), John Morris (Andy in the Toy Story franchise), and Grey Delisle (Avatar: The Last Airbender), stuntwoman Lauren Mary Kim (Star Trek, The Mandalorian), artists Emonic, Stockton's own Ramon Villalobos, Anthony Gonzales, Amy Chu, Lonnie Milshap, Jessica Fong, Mel Smith, John Hageman, and so many more.

The best part? Attendees will get to meet their idols, check them out in panels, and even snag a photo or autograph! Just be sure to plan ahead and hashtag #VisitStockton on that Instagram-worthy photo! Some fees for autographs and photos apply.

Below are just a few of the past special guests that have attended StocktonCon over the years:

• Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon I-IV, The Color Purple, Saw, Jumanji: The Next Level)
• Ron Pearlman (Beauty & The Beast series, Blade II, Alien: Resurrection, Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy)
  
• Martin Kove (Rambo: First Blood Part II, The Karate Kid franchise, Cobra Kai)
• Stockton native Nakia Burrise (Power Rangers Zeo, Power Rangers Turbo)
• Artist Nick Dragotta (East of West, Fantastic Four)
• Artist Scott Koblish (Deadpool)
• Artist Dan Brereton (Batman, Nocturnals)
• Artist Justin Greenwood (Stumptown, The Last Siege)
• Brian Baumgartner (The Office)
• Sting (WCW/TNA/WWE/AEW)
  
• Trish Stratus (WWE)
• Lita (WWE)
• Kliq & nWo members Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Sean "X-Pac" Waltman
• Olympic gold medalist and WWE & TNA legend Kurt Angle
• WCW & WWE legend Booker T
• Matt Cardona (WWE/GCW)
• Steve Whitmire (Kermit the Frog’s puppeteer)
• Bret Iwan (Official voice of Mickey Mouse)

Check out the entire guest list for this year's StocktonCon Winter right here!

Sure, finding merchandise related to your favorite fiction series online is easy peasy, but it can be a little questionable. At StocktonCon, you can see it, touch it, and put aside any worries about the purchase. Plus, there is an abundance of vendors covering the arena floor—many of which sell products such as hard-to-find comic books, popular graphic novels, a wide selection of action figures, limited edition memorabilia, and much more. You might need an extra bag (and some extra cash) because you are sure to find some unexpected collectibles. With such a wide variety of vendors, there’ll be a keepsake for everyone.

Bonus: You should definitely attend StocktonCon while rockin' our collector's edition Fantastic Four t-shirt (available also in long sleeve)... just sayin'.

The waterfront! If you’ve been paying attention to Downtown Stockton in recent years, you’ve probably noticed how much it’s been growing! The Adventist Health Arena sits along the waterfront and is surrounded by numerous downtown attractions, from Weber Point Events Center to flavorful dining destinations, bars, and the Regal Cineplex. Stroll along the Stockton Marina for a picturesque view of Downtown. The proximity of Downtown and the waterfront makes it easy for attendees at StocktonCon to visit nearby spots after the convention and make it a full-fledged Stockton experience!

Hours: 11am-5pm both days.

Online Pre-Sale Admission:

• $16 + fees (includes admission for one day).
• $20 + fees (includes admission for both days).

In Store Pre-Sale:

• $17 + $3 faculty fee (includes admission for both days).

At the Door, Day Of:

• 1 Day: $25 + fees
• 2 Day: $32 + fees
• Children 12 and younger are free with paying adult

Buy your tickets online or at the Adventist Health Arena Box office.

Location: Adventist Health Arena, 248 W. Fremont Street, Stockton.
Phone: (209) 373-1400.

Al's Comics is not only the longest running comic book shop in Stockton, the spot where Stan Lee once spent an entire day signing autographs after proclaiming Stockton the birthplace of the Fantastic Four, and the origin of a Visit Stockton campaign to bring a Fantastic Four MCU film to the city. Now, it is also the site of a beautiful Fantastic Four mural that is being produced on the south side of the shop.

The artists behind the piece are imax209, damage209, SaltRockArt, and Koniack. The artists have also created a GoFundMe to help cover the costs for paint and supplies. Check out the reel below from HoodApp featuring the lyrical stylings of the one and only Zeps aka Rhymosaurs.

If you're planning on attending BOTH DAYS of StocktonCon, you should check in somewhere. Stockton is home to numerous fantastic hotels located in key parts of the city, making it easy to attend this event, enjoy shopping sprees, and savor delicious cuisine. Discover the outstanding hotels in our city by clicking here!

Need more information? You can message us 7 days a week for assistance on shopping, dining, and things to do in Stockton.

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