What is VidCon? What you need to know about the 2026 creator convention

If you’ve ever wanted to meet your favorite creators, take part in live podcasts, learn how influencers make money online, or get a glimpse into the future of the creator economy, VidCon is for you.

The annual conference has become one of the largest gatherings in internet culture, bringing together creators, fans, platforms, brands, and industry experts under one roof. What started as a YouTube-focused event has evolved into a three-day event celebrating the creator economy spanning everything from TikTok and Snapchat to podcasts, gaming, AI, and digital entrepreneurship.

This year’s event will be held June 25-27, 2026 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. Here’s what you need to know:

What is VidCon?

VidCon is an annual conference dedicated to online creators and the community around them. Founded in 2010 by brothers John and Hank Green, the event brings together digital creators, fans, industry leaders, and technology companies to celebrate and discuss internet culture.

Over the years, VidCon has grown along with the creator economy itself. While early editions focused primarily on YouTube personalities, today’s competition reflects a broader world of creators, including TikTok stars, live streamers, podcasters, educators, entrepreneurs, and independent media companies.

When is VidCon 2026?

VidCon Anaheim 2026 will be held June 25-27 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Registration and some pre-event activities begin June 24th.

The convention will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2026 and will feature three days of panel discussions, meet-and-greets, live shows, workshops, networking events, and industry programs.

Who will attend VidCon?

VidCon brings together three main groups.

fan

For many attendees, VidCon is an opportunity to meet creators they’ve been following online for years. Fan-focused programming will include creator panels, games, meet-and-greets, live podcasts, performances, community meet-ups, interactive experiences, and more.

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creator

Join aspiring and established creators to learn about audience growth, monetization, content strategy, production, and brand partnerships. Creator-focused programs often include workshops, networking opportunities, and discussions with successful influencers and industry experts. If you’re looking for tips to cut through the internet noise, VidCon is the place for you.

industry experts

Brands, platforms, talent managers, marketers, agencies, and media executives use VidCon to track creator economy trends and build partnerships. In fact, the convention is increasingly becoming a major business event for the digital media industry.

What will happen at VidCon?

VidCon’s schedule combines entertainment, education, and networking.

Attendees can expect:

Creator panel and Q&A session

Exchange meeting with notable creators

live podcast recording

Workshops and educational sessions

Expo hall activation and brand experience

Industry keynotes and presentations

Community exchange meeting

Evening events and performances

The event will also include an opening gala and the VidCon Hall of Fame ceremony, which honors creators who have helped shape internet culture.

As creator businesses become increasingly sophisticated, VidCon’s 15th anniversary event will feature the unveiling of ECHO-ME, an AI-powered commerce platform designed for creators and sponsored by POP.STORE, a monetization platform for creators. The sponsorship marks a notable change from last year, when YouTube was the convention’s title sponsor, and highlights how the conversation around creator industry infrastructure and monetization is central to the event.

Who will be attending VidCon 2026?

VidCon has announced hundreds of featured creators who will be participating in the 2026 event across gaming, comedy, lifestyle, education, and entertainment. The lineup of official creators continues to expand in preparation for the tournament. Featured creators attending this year’s VidCon include:

One of this year’s biggest highlights is the second class of VidCon Hall of Fame inductees, including creative pioneers Mark Prior, Philip DeFranco, Michelle Huang, and Cathy Ho.

Why is VidCon still important?

The creator economy has changed dramatically since VidCon launched in 2010, but the convention remains one of the few places where the internet exists in physical form.

Creators who have spent most of their careers communicating through screens can now meet their audiences face-to-face. Fans who have been part of online communities for years can experience those communities in real life. And industry leaders will come together to discuss where digital culture is headed next.

In many ways, VidCon serves as an annual snapshot of the internet itself, revealing which creators are breaking through, which platforms are gaining influence, and what trends will shape online culture in the year ahead.

How do I attend VidCon?

Tickets for VidCon Anaheim 2026 can be purchased from the tournament’s official website. Pass options range from fan-centric experiences to creator and industry access tiers, depending on what attendees expect from the event.

For the latest information on featured creators, schedules, and ticket availability, attendees should visit VidCon’s official website ahead of the big weekend.

Mashable will be at VidCon 2026, covering the creators, trends, and conversations driving internet culture, from breaking news and creator interviews to industry insights and live updates.