Want to meet the stars? These celebrities, events are at KC’s Planet Comicon this week
Fandoms from all corners of pop culture will congregate in downtown Kansas City this weekend, when Planet Comicon Kansas City lands March 21-23 at Kansas City Convention Center.
For 26 years, the annual festival has welcomed stars from popular television shows and movies, comic book writers and illustrators, cosplayers, and vendors to celebrate their favorite superheroes and characters. The event drew 75,000 attendees for its 25th anniversary in 2024, according to spokesperson Chris Phelan.
Tickets for adults range from $42 for a day pass to $98 for three days, with cheaper prices for those under age 13. Each day brings new activities and costumes for visitors, which means what they see Friday might not be around Sunday.
What can you see and do at Planet Comicon Kansas City? Here are five things to look for this weekend inside and outside Bartle Hall.
Meet your heroes
Celebrity row inside Bartle Hall is where most of the television and movie stars will be found during the weekend. You will have to pay fees to take photos and receive autographs from the guests, and prices vary depending on whom you decide to meet.
Some guests are only in town for one day, so check their schedules ahead of time and plan your trip accordingly
Here’s a peek at who’s in Kansas City for Planet Comicon:
- David Tennant (“Doctor Who”)
- Andy Serkis (“Lord of the Rings,” “Planet of the Apes”)
- Tori Spelling (“Beverly Hills 90210,” “Scream 2”)
- Matthew Lillard (“Scream,” “Scooby-Doo,” “Five Nights at Freddy’s”)
- Carla Gugino (“Watchmen,” “Sin City”)
- Mike Colter (“Marvel’s Luke Cage,” “The Defenders”)
Ann-Margret (“Bye Bye Birdie,” “Viva Las Vegas”)
Artists and comic book writers will also be available for fans to meet, but they’ll be located at their booths in the Artists Alley section.
Guest panels
Planet Comicon Kansas City hosts panels for guests to listen in and discuss topics within pop culture or ask questions to the celebrities about their favorite moments playing their characters. The panels are open to all with a ticket on a first come, first served basis unless noted otherwise.
Here are a few panels you can join, while there’s space:
Friday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About “Barney” with Bob West
Friday from 3 to 3:40 p.m: David Tennant
Saturday from 2 to 2:40 p.m: Going Backstreet with AJ McLean
Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:20 p.m: A Special Discussion on SFX
Sunday from 11 to 11:40 a.m: In the “90210” with Tori Spelling and Brian Austin Green
Sunday from 1 to 1:50 p.m: Walt in KC: A Decade of Disney History
Planet Entertainment Zone
Located at Hall A inside Bartle Hall, the Planet Entertainment Zone is a place for visitors to participate in gaming tournaments, whether that’s on a video game or battling in tabletop card games. Pinball cabinets, battlebots, scientific activities and more also happen throughout the weekend inside the zone.
Planet After Dark
Tailored toward guests ages 16 and up, but some events are ages 18 and 21 and up, Planet After Dark is a series of events happening after the convention officially closes for the day. It provides an opportunity for visitors to keep the party going without having to change out of their costumes. All events start inside the convention center.
Some of the events planned for Planet After Dark include:
Friday at 8 p.m: ”That’s No Moon: An Improvised Space Opera”
Friday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m: “Planet Masquerave,” an all-night rave in conjunction with the Masquerade Parade, a runway show anyone can sign up to participate, whether costumed or not.
Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m: Planet Comicon Kansas City cosplay contest
Saturday from 9:30 to 10:20 p.m: “The Art of Anime and Demonology” panel
Story time with the library
The Mid-Continent Public Library partners with Planet Comicon Kansas City to present a family-friendly story time from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Early literacy experts from the library will tell stories, literacy tips and present songs, fingerplays, movement activities to support children’s growth and development.
It’s designed for children 5 years old or younger, but anyone can join.
