Everything you need to know about Dragon Con 2023

What was once a small sci-fi and fantasy convention has become one of the biggest conventions in the South.

The 37th annual Dragon Con is coming to Atlanta next week, spanning five days over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 4. This year’s event features tracks on everything from anime to costuming to celebrities from every corner of pop culture.

And just like that, Dragon Con is back. So for those in search of this year’s Dragon Con 101, look no further. Here is everything you need to know:

When is Dragon Con?

The festival is Aug. 31 through Sept. 4, spanning Labor Day weekend in Atlanta.

Where is it?

The conference is held in five “host hotels” in downtown Atlanta throughout the day and night: the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the Hilton Atlanta, the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, and the Courtland Grand Hotel (formerly Sheraton Atlanta). Sky bridges connect the Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton hotels, making it easy to travel between them. AmericasMart Buildings One and Two host additional events and activities.

When is the Dragon Con parade?

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 2, because that’s when the parade happens! The party kicks off at 10 a.m. and goes until around noon. Best part? It’s totally free for everyone, so come join in on the excitement!

Dragon Con’s virtual option

Fans who can’t attend in person this year can still enjoy the action and excitement from home.

For just $10, you can livestream Dragon Con TV. With the pass, viewers can watch the hotel feeds featuring coverage of some main programming panels (live or pre-recorded), major events (parade, masquerade, costume contests), news updates from the convention, and more!

Passes

To start with, Dragon Con sells memberships rather than passes. According to the Dragon Con website, “attendees are called Members because this is a Con created by and for fans dedicated to geeking out over some of the same amazing stuff.”

There are various membership options, including weekend, daily, and even an “eternal” membership pass for $4,500. Your badge is essential regardless of when you get to the convention. You’ll need to wear it the entire time you’re there, and if you lose it, you’ll have to buy a new one. Memberships must be purchased online through GrowTix.