Thousands of anime fans are set to descend on downtown Hampton next weekend as NekoCon, Virginia's longest-running anime convention, returns for its 28th year. The three-day event runs November 6 through November 8 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, bringing cosplay contests, gaming tournaments, panels and a new mascot storyline built around a theme called The Rise of Purrzilla.
NekoCon was founded in 1998 and has held onto its title as the state's longest-running anime gathering, according to nekocon.com. The convention celebrates anime, manga, gaming and pop culture, drawing fans from across the region into the Hampton Roads Convention Center for a full weekend of programming. As reported by WAVY.com, the event continues to be a staple of Hampton's fall calendar.
This year's theme leans into a quirky bit of convention lore. NekoCon's own site describes the storyline simply: Purrzilla has returned, a nod to a forgotten black-cat mascot now central to the 2026 branding. The convention's event listing on the Hampton Roads Convention Center's site notes that organizers are inviting thousands of anime, gaming and cosplay fans to celebrate Japanese animation, pop culture and community, per the venue's own event page.
What's Packed Into the Weekend Schedule
Programming spans an Exhibitor Hall and Artist Alley stocked with anime merchandise, Japanese imports, custom art, apparel, collectibles and comic goods, according to the same HRCC listing. Gaming options include modern console titles, arcade cabinets, tabletop RPGs and trading card game tournaments, alongside live musical performances and the annual Neko Idol Festival. Cosplay contests, a masquerade and workshops round out the weekend's offerings.
Event hours posted on a ticketing listing from events.leapevents.com show the convention running from 9 a.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Sunday. That matches the November 6 through 8 window organizers have promoted for months.
Musical Guests and Industry Names on the Bill
Among this year's musical lineup is Shadow Realm, a group billed as bringing live rock versions of anime themes to the NekoCon stage. Announced guests for 2026 include Kimberley Anne Campbell, Christopher Niosi, Tiana Camacho and Bill Rogers, according to NekoCon's guest page. The same page describes guest Isaak Wells as having a combined online audience of more than 2 million followers, while guest Christopher Harada is noted for 14 years of experience spanning 20 global game launches.
NekoCon has been trending upward in recent years. The convention reported approximately 7,000 attendees in 2024, and its FAQ page states that attendance and programming continue to grow each year with more guests, panels and attractions. Last year's event, themed Cy-Purr-Punk, ran October 31 through November 2, putting this year's gathering about a week later on the calendar.
Where to Find Tickets and More Information
Fans looking for tickets and full event details can find them at nekocon.com. Coverage of the convention's return also aired on The Hampton Roads Show, which airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on WAVY-TV 10.
