By Toby Nitural

Everyone has something that others might consider to be nerdy. Maybe you really enjoy watching the old-school Star Trek TV-Series, or maybe you spend hours discussing and theorising about what’s going to happen in the next chapter of Deltarune. Whatever the case may be, if you have an interest in something like that, you probably know what it is like to be ostracised. Some things just aren’t considered cool, and by extension, the people who love them aren’t either.

Thankfully, conventions such as the upcoming Geek Expo disrupt this narrative and act as a world where people are free to express themselves however and through whatever medium they please. Formerly known as the Geek Markets, the Geek Expo is one of the few nerd-based conventions that comes to Canberra. Biannually, the Geek Expo brings fun and joy to all who come to visit! I myself, as an avid Geek Market fan, am excited to see the new and interesting direction the expo is taking.

Past attendees have said that getting to feel the excited energy is like stepping into a new world. One where people get to feel a little bit more like themselves. he warm colours of fan-made art and the sugary scent of junk food help liven the place up, creating an electric atmosphere, like going to a concert for the first time. Seeing people unafraid to express themselves with weird clothing or silly interests is a breath of fresh air in a society which favours looking cool and stoic above feeling free and happy.

Coming with friends also helps liven up the atmosphere! You can recreate your favourite family or group in costume or roam around the convention hall as a team. It is incredibly fun coming together after a few shopping sprees and comparing what you bought, not to mention the opportunities for buying gifts! The expo also has plenty of room to meet others who share your interests, so don’t be shy when coming up to new people!

Geek Expo, as a convention, are a place where all can celebrate pop culture, and they help support local artists and niche interests in a festival of creativity and passion. The organisation running this convention, ‘Geek Events’, is known for its website ‘Geek Events Australia’, meaning they know how to run a good convention.

What’s on?

The main six reasons someone would go to the Geek Expo are the shopping, the gaming, and the cosplay.

Starting with the main events, which are largely shopping, you can find rows and rows of stalls selling art, self-published books, and collectibles. Most notably, there is the artist alley, made up of dozens of artists selling their fan creations, like art of the fan-favourite characters. There are also stalls that sell foam gear, such as armour and swords, with attendees who can direct you to live-action role-playing sessions happening soon.

Undoubtedly, you will also see hundreds of people and friends dressed up as their favourite characters, and possibly competing in a cosplay competition! Competitions like these are held on the main stage, which also holds tons of free panels on lots of other thrilling topics. Everyone is free to dress as they like, so long as they follow the prop and costume policies, with some going so far as to wear full robotic suits akin to Five Nights at Freddy’s or Star Wars. It may also be wise to see the ‘Cosplay Adventurers’, a group of officially recognised cosplayers set up at their own stations, excited to chat about all things costume and fandom! And if you don’t want to dress up, that’s fine too! You can still have fun taking photos with your favourite characters, so long as you get their consent beforehand!

And then there are the games. There certainly are video games at the expo. A few stations where you can play up-and-coming independently made video games, or just have a fun time playing on the Nintendo Switch. But the place where the expo shines most brightly is the tabletop roleplaying centre, where dozens of people of all ages meet to try out new tabletop games, the likes of Dungeons and Dragons or Call of Cthulhu.

What should I know?

In 2026, there are two weekends when the Geek Markets are held. The 18th and 19th of July, and November 21st, with holiday-season theming. These events are held from 9-4, lasting seven hours each day. The events are held at EPIC, The Exhibition Park in Canberra. 

Tickets cost between $15-$20, with tickets available here. Kids twelve and under are given free admission, so long as they are accompanied by a paying adult.

There is no need to come early, though it may be useful for obtaining a park close to the convention centre. Lines are not a major problem at the event, though entering can take up to thirty minutes if you show up when the event starts.

To keep everyone safe, the Geek Expo has a variety of policies, found here; however, so long as you are kind and respectful, you should be perfectly safe. If you think something about your visit to the expo may put others at risk, check the policy lists to be certain!

The Geek Expo is also an inclusive event for those who have accessibility issues, with accessibility parking on site, complimentary admission passes for service people, and service animals permitted. It is worth noting, however, that all conventions can be loud, hot, and crowded, so plan ahead if you or someone you are attending with may need breaks, quiet time, or accessibility support.

To learn more about how you can enjoy yourself at the expo visit: https://geek-expo.com.au/