Jedis + Trekkies + Hobbits, oh my. That’s right, after last year’s cancellation, Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) is back, taking over the Washington State Convention Center all weekend long with special guests, panels, video game previews + cosplayers galore. 🦄

And, Boy Wonder, do Seattleites geek out for it. ECCC is the largest non-sports events in Seattle, drawing 100,000+ fans each year. Even though this year’s edition has scaled things back attendance-wise + instituted many COVID-19 protocols (including proof of vaccination), the energy promises to be monstrously high.

There are exhibitors throughout ECCC selling their wares. | Photo via ReedPop

Since even the most seasoned adventurers can get overwhelmed with all the stuff going on, we’ve broken down highlights for the next few days. Note: multi-day passes are sold out, but one-day tickets are still available, as well as kid passes for the full weekend . There are also virtual watching options.

ECCC Events

8-Bit Wave Concert | Fri., Dec. 3 | 6-7 p.m. | Sheraton Hotel Grand Ballroom | Catch a wind of nostalgia from a live band performing songs from classic video games and anime series in the techy music form. 👾

John Cena Photo Ops | Sat., Dec. 4 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Sheraton Grand Hotel, Levels 2 + 3 | One of the biggest celeb guests at ECCC, fans can take an IG-worthy snap with the wrestler and star of “Suicide Squad.” 💪

Family HQ | Fri. + Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Rooms WSCC 210 and WSCC 211 | Kids can enjoy drawing demos, story time + an interactive play area with visits from costumed Star Wars performers known as the Saber Guild. 🚀

Indie Games Showcase | Fri. + Sat., 10 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | TCC Level 1 Foyer | From cards to tabletop to video games, try out new and upcoming titles from independent creators. 🎮

Of course, ECCC isn’t the only place in Seattle for pure fandemonium. Discover other spots around the area to let your geek flag fly.

Gamers 🕹️

With Nintendo of America and Xbox headquarters in Redmond, dozens of gaming studios across the region + Magic the Gathering’s Seattle parking lot roots, this is a town for those who love to play. Game on.

Raygun Lounge in Capitol Hill encourages tabletop sessions. | Photo via Raygun Lounge

Pinball Museum

📍325 5th Ave. N.
⏰ Thurs.-Tues., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

You can actually play with the artifacts at this museum, which highlights both old school + newer games — many are for sale, too.

Pink Gorilla

📍601 S. King St.
⏰ Daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Chinatown-International District’s video game emporium (with a second outpost in the U District) has all manners of imported + retro titles and accepts trade-ins.

Raygun Lounge

📍501 E. Pine St.
⏰ Mon.-Fr., 2-11 p.m.; Sat-Sun., 12-11 p.m.

Capitol Hill's gaming destination is stocked with vintage arcade machines + regularly hosts events like beginner Dungeons & Dragons sessions.

The Missing Piece

📍9456 35th Ave. SW.
⏰ Mon.-Fr., 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

This cafe features 200+ free-to-play games, including classics like “Clue” + more modern titles like “Dominion,” plus puzzles to ponder over lattes.

Pop Culture + Comics Fanatics ⚡

An entire museum dedicated to pop culture, along with comics shops and decades-old publishers? Yeah, we’ve got entire cinematic universes covered.

Fantagraphics has both collections and original works. | Photo via Fantagraphics

Fantagraphics

📍1201 S. Vale St.
⏰ Mon.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

One of the most renowned indie comic, manga + graphic novel publishers has its main offices in Seattle, but shoppers should head to the Georgetown shop to nab the newest titles.

Funko

📍2802 Wetmore Ave., Everett
⏰ Wed., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs-Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

It’s worth the trek up to Everett to tour the headquarters of this big-headed toy company. There are many rare finds here, plus visitors can create Funko dolls based on their own images.

Golden Age Collectibles

📍1501 Pike Place #401
⏰ Daily, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tucked downstairs at the Market, this comics store — billed as one of the oldest around — has the latest titles, as well as plenty of posters, games + trinkets.

MoPOP

📍508 Maynard Ave.
⏰ Thurs, Fri., Sun., Mon., 12-6 p.m.; Sat., 12-8 p.m.

The Museum of Pop Culture has tons of famous movie memorabilia on display and has constantly rotating exhibitions like their current one that shows off costumes from Disney heroes + villains.

Scarecrow Video

📍2802 Wetmore Ave., Everett
⏰ Tues.-Sun., 12-6 p.m.

Seattle’s beloved video store holdout has a library of 130,000+ movies and shows — many of which are rarities that streaming services simply don’t have.

Space Cadets 🪐

A town built around aviation can’t help but reach for the stars. And with all the tech talent around you just know Seattle loves to do all the science.

There’s a replica of the Mars rover at the Museum of Flight | Photo via Museum of Flight

Ada’s Technical Books

📍425 15th Ave. E.
⏰ 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Delve into the deep catalog of science-related textbooks at this shop that doubles as a cafe + restaurant.

Museum of Flight

📍9404 E. Marginal Way S.
⏰ Daily, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

With exhibits that appeal to aviation enthusiasts, this museum in the shadow of Boeing also highlights spacecraft — and most recently, a replica of the Mars rover.

Pacific Science Center

📍200 2nd Ave. N.
⏰ Mon-Fri., 12-8 p.m.; Sun-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Though the main center is currently closed to the public, there’s a ticketed hockey-related exhibition that explores the cold hard science behind the sport.

Pierce College Science Dome

📍9401 Farwest Dr. SW., Lakewood
⏰ Temporarily closed until Jan., 2022

Plan a trip early next year to check out this digital planetarium that shows the night sky in all its glory.

Food + Drinks 🍻

Who’s up for some mead? Or perhaps some nourishment as you embark on an epic campaign driven by 20-sided die? Pull up a chair, and peruse the menus.

Distant Worlds is one of the city’s top gaming-focused cafes. | Photo via Distant Worlds

Distant Worlds Coffeehouse

📍6417 Roosevelt Way NE.
⏰ Mon-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat-Sun., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

The Roosevelt cafe embraces all types of gamers + hobbyists with open space for those who want to engage in heated D&D sessions or the eternal Marvel vs. DC debate.

Meeples Games

📍3727 California Ave. SW.
⏰ Mon.-Sat., 12-10 p.m.; Sun., 12-7 p.m.

West Seattle’s gaming cafe hosts all types of RPG-related events for all skill levels, pairing well with flatbread pizza and Full Tilt ice cream.

Mox Boarding House

📍5105 Leary Way NW.
⏰ Mon-Fri., 11-12 a.m.; Sat-Sun., 10-12 a.m.

A go-to spot for gamers who love a good meal — Mox has an extensive collection of tabletop titles + a menu of hearty dishes like lamb meatballs and Brussels sprouts.

The Splintered Wand

📍5135 Ballard Ave. NW.
⏰ Tues.-Thurs. + Sun., 4:30-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat, 4:30 p.m.-12 a.m. (by reservation only)

Ballard’s new wizarding brewpub has a magic wand shop, while the bar serves every type of absinthe you can think of, served with a vintage fountain and glasses.

Events on the Horizon 🎟️

Even after ECCC is over, keep an eye on the calendar for these geeky gatherings.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia

📍Multiple locations
⏰ Times and dates vary

One of the premier pub quiz organizations in the US has a large Seattle presence with dozens of games and a focus on nerdy arcana.

Norwescon

📍Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, SeaTac
⏰ April 14-17, 2022

Registration is already open for this annual sci-fi and fantasy convention with a literary focus that’s been doing its thing since the 70s.

Sakura-Con

📍Washington State Convention Center
⏰ April 15-17, 2022

Fans of anime regularly flock to this annual event and the cosplay is always on point.