Top Summer Conventions Held In Philadelphia

Conventions are typically a great time for fans of a particular nature to gather with like-minded individuals for education, fun and basic camaraderie. Philly has its own Convention Center in Center City, as well as other locations such as the Wells Fargo Center for large events. Some smaller conventions may occur in hotels. Here are the top 5 most talked about conventions coming to Philly this summer.

Philly Beer Week Festival
(215) 985-2106
www.bigphillybeerfest.com
Dates: June 3-12, 2016Philly Beer week is a convention for beer enthusiasts that's spread throughout the city. This will be the 9th Annual Beer Week Festival in Philadelphia with over 75+ breweries and 200 varieties of beer for the 10 nights of "Beer Week."  Many restaurants will be participating, including Moriarty's Irish Pub, tasting rooms such as the Double Nickle Brewing Company, and even grocery stores such as Whole Foods. Each venue will have its own event, all related to beer, whether it's pairings, such as with Oysters from the Victoria Free House; or some fun and games like "Let's Make A Deal" at the Grey Lodge. Philly has been brewing up some delicious beer for over 300 years and is unofficially "the best beer-drinking city in America." Competitions will also be prevalent for local home brewers.
Democratic National Convention
Wells Fargo Center
Philadelphia, PA
Dates: July 25-28, 2016The Democratic Convention will be in town in July of 2016, and this is the first time it has been here since 1948. (The Republican Convention was held here in 2000.) The current front runner is Hillary Clinton, who hails from Scranton, Pennsylvania. During this week, there will be a gathering open to the public for those interested in politics, or even just witnessing an historic event. The festival celebrates political history, government and the candidates' road to the White House.
National Sports Collectors Convention
Atlantic City Convention Center
1 Convention Blvd.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(866) 323-6722
www.nsccshow.com
Dates: August 3-7, 2016One of the largest conventions for the area, especially for sports lovers, brings in over 30,000 attendees each year. People come to this convention to trade, buy and receive autographs for sports collectibles and memorabilia. The convention, produced by Tri-Star (maker of many collectibles and banners) is in its 37th year.  Atlantic City is less than an hour away, traffic permitting, right down 76. The show is for the weekend, so hotels packages are available. Tickets for the day start at $20, and VIP packages  for all 5 days and include exclusive time for autographs, parking, and gifts begin at $129.

Related: Top Summer Festivals in Philadelphia

American Bridal Show
Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19107
www.phillybridalshow.com
Dates: August 10, 2016, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.Numerous vendors will  be available for you to help plan your wedding. Whether you're after the perfect dress or a stunning bouquet, this is the most complete all-in-one-bridal show. American Bridal show puts on expos in the Delaware Valley area, all year round, and this is their largest at the Convention Center. The expo is dubbed " a must " for many brides and grooms who are looking for ideas for their wedding. Best of all, there is no cost to attend.
J1 Con
820 Spring Garden St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19123
September 17-18, 2016
www.j1con.comAnime lovers will have an opportunity to unite and enjoy a weekend at the Anime Convention in September. Voice actors will be present on a panel, including Alyson Rosenfield, the voice for of Nurse & Joy of Pokémon, and Rio Castle of Yu-Gi-Oh! The convention will have events involving Cosplay, music, exhibits and over 100 tables of vendors. Fans can participate in panels, dress as their favorite characters and have fun for the weekend. Prices for adults are $50 for the weekend pass at the door, or $40 if you pre-purchase online. Youth prices are between $10-$25, and there are options for one day only passes.

Related: Top Upcoming Conventions Near Philadelphia

Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.
Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.