Even though MagicCon was officially launched in 2017, its history can be traced back to 1992, when a group of Star Trek fans launched FedCon (short for Federation Con)–a science fiction convention focusing on the Star Trek franchise. Ten years later, the organizers of FedCon decided to branch out and launched a separate convention focused on J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic high fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. It was named Ring*Con.
The first five or so editions of Ring*Con were dedicated solely to The Lord of the Rings and other fictional works set in Middle-earth, but in 2007 the convention expanded its program to include other works of fantasy. In 2013, the organizers of Ring*Con decided that the Tolkien fandom deserved its own convention and held the first HobbitCon. Both events were held in Bonn.
Unfortunately, Ring*Con and HobbitCon were discontinued due to low attendance and financial problems after their respective 2015 and 2016 editions. Instead, the team of FedCon launched a new fantasy convention named MagicCon. The inaugural MagicCon was held in Bonn in April 2017.
MagicCon is a gathering place for the fans of all things fantasy and mystery, where dozens of popular fandoms are represented, from The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter to Game of Thrones and Once Upon a Time, and everything in between. It gives fantasy and mystery fans a perfect opportunity to meet their favorite stars and like-minded people, exchange ideas, buy merchandise, show off cosplay, and have lots of fun.
Of course, Q&A panels, photo ops, and autograph sessions with guest stars are one of the main highlights of MagicCon. Over the years, the convention has welcomed Richard Armitage (The Hobbit), Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings), Manu Bennett (Spartacus, The Shannara Chronicles), Charisma Carpenter (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel), Tom Ellis (Lucifer), Tom Felton (Harry Potter), Sam Heughan (Outlander), Renee O’Connor (Xena: Warrior Princess), John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings), Ian Somerhalder (The Vampire Diaries), Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings), and many other actors known for their involvement with beloved fantasy movies and shows.
In addition to events featuring star guests, the program of Magic Con includes lectures by guest experts, readings by well-known fantasy and mystery authors, a variety of workshops (from acting, dancing and singing to crafts and sword fighting), the Cosplay Catwalk, parties, and other exciting events and activities.
MagicCon takes place over three days in October and has several types of tickets: day tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, several kinds of weekend tickets, and separate vouchers for autograph sessions, photo sessions, and meets & greets with star guests. Since MagicCon is usually held in a hotel rather than a convention center, visitors have the opportunity to book a room at the very same venue.
Photo: Marko Krenz
