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Heading to Dragon Con in Atlanta this year?

If so, you're in for an unforgettable weekend where reality takes a break and 70,000+ lovers of pop and comic culture come out to play. 

Dragon Con isn't just a convention. It's the largest multi-media, pop culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film in the universe.

Imagine Comic Con, Mardi Gras and a sci-fi street parade getting together for one giant party. That's Dragon Con.

And with Atlanta's food scene, nightlife and southern warmth as the backdrop, you can sandwich your fandom fix between barbecue brisket and skyline views.

Whether you're a first-timer wondering "what is Dragon Con?" or a seasoned con-goer planning your return, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about Dragon Con.

Image Owned by Dragon Con

What Is Dragon Con?

Dragon Con is a North American multi-genre convention, founded in 1987.

It takes place every year over the Labour Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

And it's not just for comic book fans. The programming spans sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, cosplay, film, literature, art, music and more.

Dragon Con has evolved from a modest gathering into one of the largest fan conventions on the planet.

As of 2017, the convention draws attendance of over 70,000.

Last year's event welcomed tens of thousands of attendees, hundreds of panels, celebrity guests, fan-run tracks and a parade that stopped Atlanta traffic in its tracks.

Image Owned by Dragon Con

When Is Dragon Con 2025?

Dragon Con 2025 runs from Thursday 28th August to Monday 1st September 2025.

The five-day format gives you plenty of time to see everything you want to see at the convention.

Thursday kicks off with pre-convention events and registration. Friday through Sunday is peak activity (we'll get into all that in just a moment). Then Monday winds down with final panels and the bittersweet goodbyes.

Where Is Dragon Con?

Unlike most conventions housed in a single venue, Dragon Con Atlanta takes over five hotels in the Peachtree Center neighbourhood of downtown Atlanta near Centennial Olympic Park.

The main host venues include:

• Hyatt Regency Atlanta
• Marriott Marquis Atlanta
• Hilton Atlanta
• Courtland Grand Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel)
• Westin Peachtree Plaza

The famous Dragon Con Parade takes place Saturday morning along Peachtree Street and is free for the public to watch.

Image Owned by Dragon Con

Don't worry about getting lost. The Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton are connected by skybridge tunnels, so you can hop between hotels without stepping outside.

What's On at Dragon Con 2025?

It might be quicker to list what isn't on. Expect:

• 30+ programming tracks ranging from Star Wars and Star Trek to robotics and puppetry
• Autograph and photo ops with actors, authors, artists and creators
• Gaming halls with video games, board games and role-playing games (RPGs)
• The legendary Dragon Con Parade
• Concerts, dances and themed parties running late into the night

Image Owned by Dragon Con

It runs thousands of hours of programming, which is fan-run, too, which means genuine passion drives every panel.

Which Areas Do They Have at Dragon Con?

• Walk of Fame: Meet celebrity guests, actors and creators. Top tip: queue early for the big names.
• Exhibitor Halls: Packed with comics, collectibles, artwork and merch you don't really need but will probably still buy. Your wallet has been warned.
• Art Show: Original sci-fi and fantasy artwork, plus artist meet-and-greets. Perfect for discovering new talent.
• Gaming Areas: Video game demos, retro consoles, tabletop tournaments and RPG rooms. This is a place where you can lose yourself for hours.
• Cosplay Central: Photoshoots, contests and costume repair stations. The heart of con culture.

Image Owned by Dragon Con

Area Highlights

Big Shows and Main Events

Main stage panels, celebrity Q&As, the Masquerade costume contest and nightly themed parties. 

Cosplay Everywhere

Whether you're in screen-accurate armour or a cardboard robot costume, cosplay is a full-time sport at Dragon Con. Even if you're not in costume, you'll want your camera ready.

The craftsmanship is genuinely astounding and something to marvel at.

Merchandise Heaven

From limited-edition collectables to custom prop replicas, the dealer halls are dangerously tempting. For your life savings' sake, it may be best to set a budget and stick to it. (Or at least pretend to.)

Gaming Sanctuary

Escape the crowds with a tabletop session or lose hours in the video game room. Perfect for introverts needing a breather from the overstimulating social chaos.

Getting to Atlanta and Dragon Con 2025

Adobe Free Stock / Jose Luis Stephens

Best Airport for International Travellers

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is ten miles from downtown Atlanta and the hub most attendees will arrive into. 

From the airport, you can hop on the MARTA train and be at Peachtree Center in about 20 minutes.

It's enormous but efficient and the train connection makes it ideal for heading to the convention.

Train and Coach Options

Amtrak's scenic Crescent Line runs daily between Atlanta and New York and between Atlanta and New Orleans. 

For budget-friendly slow travel, Greyhound, Megabus and Flixbus run routes between major US cities.

Ways to Get Around Atlanta During Dragon Con

• Trains - Atlanta's local train network (MARTA) is an affordable, direct way to get between Atlanta airport and Peachtree Center station, which is walkable to all host hotels. Day passes are available and a smart choice if you're moving around a lot.
• Rideshares - As in any major city, Uber, Lyft and traditional taxi cabs are usually easy to find in Atlanta. 
• Walking - Most Dragon Con venues are connected by sky bridges or are within blocks of one another. The city's tunnels are a blessing during Atlanta's humid summers.

Useful Apps for Atlanta

• MARTA On the Go
• Google Maps / Apple Maps
• Dragon Con App (for schedules, maps, and updates)
• Uber/Lyft for backup transport

Where to Stay for Dragon Con 2025

Adobe Free Stock / TeTe Song

Best Areas to Stay in Atlanta

• Official Host Hotels: Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Courtland Grand, Westin. They're closest to the action, but they tend to book up months in advance. 
• Nearby Downtown Hotels: Within a short walk, often more availability and slightly cheaper. Check Embassy Suites or Omni.
• Midtown Atlanta: One MARTA stop away with more dining options, Midtown is a good compromise between the location and cost.

The hotels page on the official Dragon Con website has a list of suggested hotels very much worth checking out.

Tips for Finding Last-Minute Dragon Con Accommodation

• Look at Airbnb/VRBO for walkable hotel options.
• Book suburban hotels near MARTA for cheaper rates.
• Some locals rent out spare rooms via. official platforms such as booking.com and Airbnb.

Dragon Con 2025 Survival Guide

Ticket Types

• Five-Day Memberships - Offering the best value if you're attending the full con, these passes are around $175 (around £130) for access to all five days.
• Single-Day Passes - Available for specific days, between $35-75 (£25 - £55) each, depending on which day you choose. Saturday is the most expensive ($75), followed by Sunday ($65), then Friday ($55). Thursday and Monday passes are just $35.
• Parade Viewing - The famous and much-loved parade is completely free to watch. Just rock up early to get the best viewing spots on Peachtree Street.

You can buy your membership passes right here.

Cosplay Dos and Don'ts

Image Owned by Dragon Con

Do:

• Bring a repair kit (safety pins, fabric glue, spare accessories).
• Schedule breaks - heavy, intricate costumes can get hot.
• Ask for consent before taking photos of other people's costumes.

Don't:

• Block doorways and busy throughfares for photoshoots.
• Bring weapon props without checking con rules first.
• Wear uncomfortable shoes - your tired feet will thank you later.

Atlanta Weather - What to Wear

Late August is hot and humid (28-33°C) in Atlanta. Light, breathable fabrics are essential.

Cotton and linen beat synthetic materials. Bring a refillable water bottle and stay hydrated.

If you're cosplaying, factor in the heat. That full armour suit might look incredible, but you may well melt by midday.

Bag Policy

The bag policy at Dragon Con is fairly relaxed. Small bags are fine. Large bags are generally considered okay too, although they may be checked upon entry.

Basically, as long as you're not breaking the general weapon and dress code policies, you should be okay.

What to Leave at Home

• Heavy or oversized props you can't carry all day.
• Anything against con prop safety rules.
• Excessive amounts of cash (card payments are pretty much ubiquitous here).

If in doubt, check the Dragon Con Policies for peace of mind before you head off.

Where to Eat, Drink and Chill Near Dragon Con

Adobe Free Stock / puhimec

Fast, Cheap Food Near the Venues

• Peachtree Center Food Court: Quick bites without leaving the con bubble. You'll find standard, convenient mall food here.
• Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken: Iconic Southern fried chicken that'll make every other chicken you've tried taste inferior.
• Reuben's Deli: Proper sandwiches for grab-and-go lunches with New York-style portions.

Late-Night Spots

• Trader Vic's: Tiki drinks inside the Hilton - potentially expensive but atmospheric.
• Joystick Gamebar: Arcade games and cocktails, a joint that's perfect for unwinding after panels.
• Stats Sports Bar: This classic American sports bar offers decent wings and cold beer.

Exploring Atlanta During Dragon Con

Between Panels and Parties

• Centennial Olympic Park: This green space is an escape from crowds when a short break amogn nature calls.
• Georgia Aquarium: One of the largest aquariums in the world, this place is deemed genuinely spectacular and well worth the visit.
• World of Coca-Cola: Enter nostalgic branding heaven and taste Coke flavours from around the world.

Best Views and Photo Ops

• SkyView Atlanta: This ferris wheel gives proper skyline views of this Southern city - great for Instagram cred.
• Jackson Street Bridge: Get up on the bridge for a classic Atlanta skyline shot. 
• Piedmont Park: Another green space, but with city views - could be a perfect backdrop for cosplay photoshoots.

Travelling Solo to Dragon Con

Safety

Downtown Atlanta is busy during the convention. It's always a good idea to stick to well-lit areas at night and practice the usual vigilance when moving around any unfamiliar city.

Meeting People

With fun, friendliness and camaraderie at the heart of the event, Dragon Con may just make for a sociable solo travel experience.

And with so much common ground in one place, it's entirely possible you'll meet new friends by:

• Joining themed meetups via the Dragon Con app.
• Hanging out in cosplay areas or gaming rooms.
• Chatting with people in queues - it's part of the culture.
• Attending the newbie meetups on Thursday evening.

Stay Connected with an eSIM at Dragon Con

Adobe Free Stock / smolaw11

Hotel Wi-Fi is notoriously patchy. And maybe even moreso when tens of thousands of people are uploading their cosplay pics simultaneously.

A USA eSIM from Airalo gives you instant, reliable data for navigating the convention, posting your best cosplay pics and keeping up with last-minute schedule changes.

Download your USA eSIM from Airalo before you travel. Activate it on arrival to stay online, avoid shock roaming fees and stay in control of your data spending at Dragon Con.

Final Dragon Con Survival Tips

• Download the Dragon Con app before you arrive.
• Bring a portable power bank for your phone - you'll need it.
• Pack comfortable shoes for days of exploring and gaming.
• Don't pressure yourself to see everything - Dragon Con is a big place.
• Carry a reusable water bottle - you'll need it in the hot and humid Atlanta August.

Dragon Con 2025 promises to be the biggest yet. Five days of pure joy await in the heart of Atlanta.

Whether you're there for the celebrities, the cosplay, the panels or just the atmosphere, you're in for something truly special.

Book your tickets and flights, sort your accommodation, download your USA eSIM and prepare for one of the best weekends on the global cons calendar.