Fanfaire NYC returned on April 25-26, 2026 to benefit New York City’s High School of Art & Design. An annual festival celebrating pop culture, you can expect to find a diverse Artist Alley filled with over 130 artists & vendors, along with special guests, cosplayers, and more. Get your comic books signed, discover art & collectibles from every fandom, join panels & events, and participate in other exciting activities. This year’s notable guests included Grek Pak (below), Amy Reeder, Sean Chen, Chris Batista, Phillip Russertt, and Waldo Cabrera.
On top of exploring the many booths filled with original art, prints, stickers, enamel pins, acrylics, and other collectibles, this year’s Fanfaire once again featured a packed lineup of programming across both days: panels on journalism, comic book art, content creation, animation, indie publishing, a cosplay contest, and portfolio workshops. Plus a fundraiser auction featuring signed pieces (below) by Neal Adams (an Art and Design Alum), a scavenger hunt starring Fanfaire 2026 mascot “Squibbles”, mahjong demos, free video gaming provided by event partner AniMei Gamer Zone, and a community coloring mural celebrating the school’s 90th year.
Other event partners included Philbo Publishing who was showcasing titles from their distribution & Print-On-Demand lines, Stomping Ground Photo who hosted photoshoot sessions all weekend long, and Gem Blenders with their latest TCG expansion “Idols & Omens”, demos, and an exclusive promo card. Not to mention plenty of comic books, Funko Pops, and other memorabilia for sale through reputable local vendors. It’s everything you love from a comic con experience without the crowds of a bigger event!
Fanfaire NYC is an amazing way to support the next generation of artists & designers while giving back to the school. While admission is most affordable for NYC high school students & faculty, tickets remain budget-friendly for everyone else with plenty to see & do at the event. Stay tuned for next year’s Fanfaire, and in the meantime, check out our recap video below for even more:
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