Comic Con guide: Celebrities, cosplay, vendors, photo-ops at 2025 Lexington convention
The Lexington Comic and Toy Convention, commonly referred to as Lexington Comic Con or LexCon, will kick-off its 13th gathering in 2025 this weekend in downtown Lexington.
Over the past 12 events, the attendance numbers, activities, vendors and the celebrity guests just keep growing. While the popular annual Lexington event has fans from across the country and globe who make it a point to attend every year, a big reason the convention keeps growing is someone decided to attend for the first time — and found their inner geek.
With that in mind, here is a handy how-to guide for first-time attendees to let them know what to expect this year at the Central Bank Center.
What is a Comic Con?
Comic Con is short for “comic convention” where fans of graphic stories can meet comic book creators, both writers and artists, while hitting up comic vendors’ boxes and crates to find something new or rare to add to their collection. It has since expanded to encompass toys, collectibles and almost all things related to popular culture.
The Lexington Comic Con event has a heavy emphasis on comics while also bringing in celebrities from the worlds of film, television, voice-over acting, cosplay and professional wrestling.
What will I see at Lexington Comic Con?
While some people may come to Lexington Comic Con for the art, shopping or celebrity meet-and-greets, autographs and photos, the event’s major emphasis will be hard to miss once you approach the convention space in the Central Bank Center.
“You’re going to know you are at a comic-related event very quickly. You will see Spider-Man and Deadpool within the first 60 seconds,” said Jarrod Greer, promoter for the event.
The actual layout, or map, of the event space will have a vendor floor on Level 3 (the High Street level), followed by photo ops and rooms for celebrity panels taking place on Level 2. Level 1 (the Main Street level) will be the convention’s main ballroom area where most of the event’s celebrity guests will be stationed for meet-and-greets.
The schedule for the four-day convention includes cosplay events, celebrity Q&A panel sessions, game rooms, parties, photo-ops and more.
What celebrities will be at Lexington Comic Con?
There will be more than 100 celebrity guests at the convention, ranging from TV to film stars to comic creators to wrestlers.
The celebrity guest list from TV and movies includes names you will recognize including:
▪ William Shatner: USS Enterprise Captain James T. Kirk in the “Star Trek” franchise
▪ David Boreanaz: Star of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel” and “Bones”
▪ Soleil Moon Frye: Known for her role on NBC sitcom “Punky Brewster”
▪ Jason Isaacs: Lucious Malfoy from the “Harry Potter” franchise
▪ Dermot Mulroney: Heartthrob actor, current star of NBC’s “Chicago Med/Fire/P.D.”
▪ Danny Trejo: star of “Machete” and prolific actor
▪ Cast members of the popular “Twilight” vampire romance franchise
Can I get my picture taken with celebrity guests?
Yes there will be photo-ops. But, depending on which celebrity you want to meet, it may require some patience and your pocketbook.
Event organizers said the bigger celebrity guests will all usually have a longer line and a shorter face-to-face experience. While actually meeting any celebrity at Lexington Comic Con won’t cost you anything but time in line, things like autographs and a photo will cost something and every celebrity has a different price range. Pictures or autographs for celebrities cost anywhere from $45 (“South Park” voice actor April Stewart) to $150 (“Star Trek” actor William Shatner).
Also, attendees may have to choose between a brief encounter in a longer line or a more meaningful encounter with a lesser-known guest.
You can buy photo ops with celebs in advance online — yes, some are already sold out — or in person on Level 2.
What kind of stuff can I buy at Lexington Comic and Toy Convention?
Other than just about any kind of graphic novel or comic you can think of, you can purchase rare toys and collectibles, art work and pop culture goods from vendors ranging from leather goods and bags to wood carvings. There are even vintage video games for sale.
Is LexCon kid-friendly?
Definitely. While families can enjoy themselves no matter which day they decide to attend the four-day event, organizers said Sunday is much calmer with fewer attendees and more room for strollers.
Can I dress up? Is there a costume contest?
Costumes are definitely allowed and cosplay is encouraged at Lexington Comic Con. Part of the fun while walking the exhibit floor is seeing the costumes whether they are homemade or professionally crafted — and don’t be shy to ask someone to have your picture taken with one you like. You will see plenty of people getting their pictures taken with others dressed up. Also, there is a costume contest held Saturday evening, with prejudging at 5 p.m. and a public showing at 6 p.m. on Level 2.
Are there Q&As?
Yes. There will be both individual celebrity Q&As and cast Q&A panels this year.
Cast-based panels from TV and movies include Lou Diamond Phillips, Danny Trejo, Soleil Moon Frye, Alex Winter and William Sadler from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” Terry Kiser, Andrew McCarthy, and Jonathan Silverman from “Weekend at Bernie’s,” Thomas Lennon and Cedric Yarbrough from “Reno 911!”. The highlight of the celebrity panels is the legendary actor who played USS Enterprise Captain James T. Kirk. “A Q&A with William Shatner: A Legendary Career Boldly Told” is noon on Saturday, March 8.
How much are tickets to Lexington ComicCon?
Ticket prices depend on what day you go and how many days you want to attend.
Tickets are $24.99 Thursday, which is the “all about comics” day. Few, if any celebrity guests will be there, but attendees can have first dibs to buy from comic vendors.
Admission prices are $39.99 on Friday and $64.99 on Saturday. Tickets are $39.99 for Sunday.
A four-day festival ticket can be purchased for $149.99 in advance online. Three-day and two-day passes for the convention are also available.
Kids 10 and under are free for all days.
Buy tickets online at lexingtoncomiccon.com. Daily tickets also are available at the door, but be warned, Saturday can sell-out.
Lexington Comic and Toy Convention 2025
When: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, March 6; Noon-8 p.m. Friday, March 7; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 8; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 9.
Where: Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St.
Tickets: $24.99-$275; Kids 10 and under are free for all days
Online: lexingtoncomiccon.com
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Comic Con guide: Celebrities, cosplay, vendors, photo-ops at 2025 Lexington convention."
