Save up your money and get your cosplays ready, because the season of Texas Conventions is upon us! All year different groups of people anticipate the three or so days when they get to dress up, buy art, or enthuse over their latest obsession. Each year, these conventions attract massive amounts of people from all over the state into a hotel ballroom or convention centre for two or three days at a time. From Comicpalooza to Repticon, this summer offers something for everyone to enjoy.

First on our list is Comicpalooza. This one’s coming up quick, so finalise those costumes and buy those tickets! George R. Brown Convention Centre hosts this annual gathering. This year it falls on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26. The celebrity line up is one you won’t want to miss.

Featuring Arthur Suydam (author of the Walking Dead), James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Torchwood), Neve McIntosh (Doctor Who), and many more cult personalities, this is a lineup of celebrities, artists, and authors you won’t want to miss.

There’s a cosplay competition with cash rewards and a dealer’s room to get original art from your favourite comic book artist. The convention is open May 23-25 9 am through 2 am, and May 26 9 am through 8 pm.

The next convention scheduled is a bit different from a comic convention. Repticon is a convention where reptile and exotic animal dealers meet to sell the animals they’ve bred. Reptile enthusiasts from all over Texas go to Pasadena for this annual buy-and-sell.

Only the healthiest animals are sold here, ensuring the best for the buyer. Educational shows are held at scheduled times on both May 25 and 26.

Don’t like reptiles? No problem. Fuzzy animals are also sold, including rabbits, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders. Repticon is open Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.

If you can’t make it to Comicpalooza, don’t worry, there’s another comic convention on its way. June 20 through 22, San Antonio is hosting it’s own Texas Comic Con at the Norris Convention Centre.

There are still many slots for celebrities open right now, but actors and animators such as David Guintoli (Grimm) and Jeffery Combs (re-animator of Star Trek, Frighteners, Transformers Prime). Over twenty comic book artists have signed up to partake in the Con. Though there aren’t too many events listed at the moment, this is typical of conventions to not really fill up until the month of.

Last but not least, we have Fiesta Equestria. Save your hate and snarky remarks, this convention is for the bronies. Already featuring voice actresses Brenda Crichlow and Andrea Libman, this is a con most bronies won’t want to miss.

Returning is popular DJ The Living Tombstone to headline the rave that always takes place that Saturday. Countless artists and plushie-makers set up stalls (no pun intended) to sell their creations. Panels featuring brony animators, voice actors, and show musicians take place, giving fans a chance to ask their burning questions. There is, of course, a cosplay contest for the cosplayers.

This con takes place last on our chronological list, starting July 11 and finishing up the 14th.