Conventions, Comic Cons and Anime Expos in the Philippines
The Philippines has one of the most active convention scenes in Southeast Asia, driven by an enormous domestic appetite for anime, comics, gaming and cosplay. On a busy weekend in Metro Manila there will be several running at once, ranging from a few hundred people in a mall atrium to tens of thousands filling a convention centre.
Here is how the scene is structured and what to expect from a con day.
The kinds of event
| Type | What it is | Typical scale |
|---|---|---|
| Comic and pop-culture cons | Comics, film, TV, collectibles, artist alley, guests | Large — convention centres |
| Anime and cosplay expos | Anime, manga, cosplay competitions, J-pop and K-pop acts | Large |
| Toy and collectible fairs | Figures, model kits, trading cards, dealers | Mid-size |
| Esports events | Tournaments, watch parties, publisher showcases | Mid to large |
| Trade and industry expos | Business-to-business, food, travel, tech, franchising | Large |
| Book fairs and small-press events | Publishers, zines, independent creators | Mid-size |
The lines blur constantly — most large cons now bundle comics, anime, gaming, cosplay and a music stage into one weekend.
Where they happen
- SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay — the country's largest privately run convention venue, attached to the Mall of Asia complex. The biggest cons land here.
- World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay — large column-free halls, a regular home for expos and consumer fairs.
- SMX at SM Aura in BGC — the smaller, more central branch.
- PICC in Pasay — more formal conventions and conferences.
- Megatrade Hall and mall event halls — where the mid-size and smaller cons run, including SkyDome at SM North EDSA.
- Provincial cons run in mall atriums and convention centres in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Baguio, and have grown substantially.
Tickets and pricing
Convention pricing is usually tiered and sold both in advance and at the door:
- Regular day pass — typically a few hundred pesos. Cheapest in advance.
- Two-day or weekend pass — a modest discount over two singles.
- VIP or premium — early entry, a separate queue, sometimes a merchandise bundle or priority for guest sessions.
- Photo ops and autographs with guests are almost always sold separately from admission, in limited quantities, and sell out fast.
Buy in advance where you can. Door queues at a large con on a Saturday morning are long, and some events cap same-day sales.
Cosplay: what to know
Cosplay is central to the Philippine con scene rather than a sideshow, and the standard is high.
Rules that apply almost everywhere:
- Prop weapons must be peace-bonded — checked at the entrance and tagged. No live steel, no functional projectiles, no realistic firearms.
- Size limits on props and wings; oversized builds may need prior clearance from the organiser.
- Costumes must be publicly appropriate — most cons are family-attended and enforce coverage rules.
- Changing facilities are provided at larger events but are often crowded. Many cosplayers arrive part-costumed and finish on site.
Photography etiquette matters and is enforced socially:
- Always ask before photographing a cosplayer. Always.
- Do not touch a costume, prop or wig without permission — many are fragile and represent months of work.
- Do not block traffic in a hall aisle for a shoot. Move to a designated photo area.
- Ask before posting, and credit the cosplayer where you can.
Artist alley and dealers
The artist alley — independent illustrators, comic creators and small-press sellers — is where much of the value of a Philippine con sits, and it is worth budgeting for separately from admission.
- Bring cash in small denominations. Many artists take e-wallet transfers, but cash is universally accepted and faster in a queue.
- Go early for popular artists. Print runs are small and sell out on day one.
- Prices are generally fixed. Haggling is normal at toy dealer tables, not at artist alley.
Surviving a con day
- Arrive early or arrive late. Mid-morning Saturday is peak queue.
- Halls get hot despite air conditioning, once they are full. Dress for it, especially in costume.
- Bring water and snacks where permitted; on-site food queues are long and expensive.
- Bring a power bank. Signal inside a packed hall is poor and everyone is filming.
- Set a meeting point with your group. Phone signal fails when the hall fills.
- Wear comfortable shoes. A large con floor is a lot of standing.
Finding what is on
Convention schedules cluster around weekends and school holidays, with a noticeable peak in the second half of the year. Browse upcoming conventions for what we are tracking, or what is on this weekend.
FAQ
Where are the biggest conventions held in the Philippines? SMX Convention Center Manila and the World Trade Center, both in Pasay, host the largest events, with SMX at SM Aura and mall halls taking mid-size cons.
How much is a convention ticket? Typically a few hundred pesos for a day pass, less in advance, with VIP tiers and separately sold photo ops and autographs.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance? Recommended. Door queues at a large con are long and some events cap same-day sales.
What are the cosplay prop rules? Props must be peace-bonded and checked at entry. No functional weapons, no realistic firearms, and size limits apply.
Can I photograph cosplayers? Only after asking. Never touch a costume or prop without permission.
Is cash needed? Yes — artist alley and dealer tables move fastest on cash, in small denominations.
Are cons family friendly? Most are, and costume coverage rules are enforced with that in mind.
Last verified: August 2026. Venue, pricing and cosplay rules are set per event — always check the organiser's own announcement.
Browse upcoming conventions or everything on this weekend.