MomoCon in Atlanta: Your Complete Guide to the City’s Fan-Favorite Convention

MomoCon has grown into one of Atlanta’s signature festivals and citywide events, drawing fans of anime, gaming, comics, and pop culture from all over the Southeast. Whether you live in Atlanta, you’re planning a visit, or you’re just trying to understand what MomoCon is all about, this guide walks you through how it works specifically in Atlanta—from location and logistics to what to expect inside the convention.

What Is MomoCon?

MomoCon is a large, fan-driven convention in downtown Atlanta that celebrates:

• Anime and manga
• Video games and tabletop games
• Comics and graphic novels
• Cosplay and costuming
• Animation and pop culture

It typically runs over four days in late spring or early summer (often around Memorial Day weekend), and it has become a major annual event on Atlanta’s festival calendar, similar in prominence to events like Dragon Con, Music Midtown, and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

MomoCon is known for being:

• Family-friendly and welcoming to younger fans
• Highly interactive, with tournaments, workshops, and contests
• Accessibility-conscious, with staff and volunteers used to handling big crowds in downtown Atlanta

Where MomoCon Happens in Atlanta

MomoCon is held in the heart of downtown Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) and nearby hotel/entertainment spaces.

Primary venue:

• Georgia World Congress Center
  285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
  Atlanta, GA 30313
  Main Phone: (404) 223-4000

The GWCC is directly connected or adjacent to several major Atlanta landmarks:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• State Farm Arena
• CNN Center area
• Centennial Olympic Park

This central location means easy access by MARTA, rideshare, or car, and plenty of nearby hotels and restaurants.

When MomoCon Takes Place

MomoCon is an annual event, and while exact dates change year to year, it commonly falls:

• In late May or early June
• Over four consecutive days, usually Thursday–Sunday

Because it’s a major convention, Atlanta regularly sees:

• Higher hotel demand in the downtown area
• Heavier foot traffic near GWCC, Centennial Olympic Park, and surrounding streets
• Larger crowds on MARTA trains serving downtown stations

If you live in Atlanta, it’s smart to expect busier-than-normal conditions near downtown during the event days.

Getting to MomoCon: Transportation Options in Atlanta

Using MARTA 🚇

Public transit is often the easiest way to get to MomoCon.

Closest stations:

• GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line)
• Vine City Station (Blue/Green Line; a short walk, often less crowded)
• Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold Line, then about a 10–15 minute walk via downtown streets or the skybridges to hotels)

Tips for MARTA riders:

• Load or tap your Breeze Card or contactless payment before the event days if possible.
• Expect more riders in cosplay and groups, especially midday and late evening.
• Late-night trains can be busy after the convention closes each night.

For general MARTA information or help planning a route:

• MARTA Headquarters
  2424 Piedmont Rd NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324
  Customer Service: (404) 848-5000

Driving and Parking 🚗

If you’re driving, you’ll be heading into downtown Atlanta, which can be congested during major events.

Common parking options include:

• Georgia World Congress Center parking decks (various garages around GWCC)
• Nearby private lots near State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Independent surface lots around Centennial Olympic Park Dr, Marietta St NW, and Luckie St NW

Atlanta-specific tips:

• Prepay parking when offered, especially for Saturday.
• Watch for special event pricing at private lots.
• Be aware of one-way streets and event-related road closures around the stadium and arena.

Rideshare and Taxis

Rideshare options like Uber and Lyft are widely used around GWCC and downtown.

To make pickup and drop-off smoother:

• Use established pickup zones near GWCC or CNN Center rather than blocking busy streets.
• Build in extra time on Friday evening and Saturday night, when concerts or games at nearby venues can overlap with MomoCon traffic.

What Happens at MomoCon?

Inside the convention, you’ll find a wide mix of activities. While specific guests and schedules change each year, the main components are fairly consistent.

Panels, Q&As, and Workshops

Expect a full schedule of:

• Guest panels with voice actors, creators, and industry professionals
• Fan-led panels on anime, game strategy, fan theories, and niche fandoms
• Workshops on cosplay construction, drawing, writing, and game design

Schedules are usually posted in advance, so local attendees often plan which days to attend based on the panel lineup.

Gaming Areas

MomoCon is known for having substantial gaming spaces:

• Video game rooms with consoles and PCs
• Arcade cabinets and rhythm games
• Tabletop and board game areas with open play and organized sessions
• Esports tournaments, including fighting games, shooters, and more

For Atlanta residents into competitive gaming, MomoCon is often a major annual tournament stop.

Cosplay and Contests

Cosplay is a huge part of MomoCon’s Atlanta identity. You’ll regularly see cosplayers around:

• GWCC exhibit halls and concourses
• The CNN Center area
• Centennial Olympic Park lawns, which are often popular for photo shoots

Common cosplay activities:

• Masquerade and cosplay contests with craftsmanship and performance categories
• Photo meetups for specific fandoms or series
• Cosplay repair areas and workshops

If you’re downtown but not attending, expect to see costumed fans in and around GWCC, nearby hotels, and even on MARTA.

Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley

MomoCon features a large:

• Exhibit hall with vendors selling:

  • Anime and game merchandise
  • Figures and collectibles
  • Apparel and accessories
  • Import goods and fan items

• Artist Alley with independent artists offering:

  • Prints and original art
  • Pins, stickers, and charms
  • Commissions and custom pieces

For Atlanta-based artists and small businesses, MomoCon can be a key annual marketplace.

Registration, Badges, and Entry

Types of Badges

MomoCon typically offers:

• Full weekend badges (all four days)
• Single-day badges (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday)
• Sometimes VIP or premium options with added perks

Pricing and offerings vary year to year, but buying in advance usually costs less than on-site registration.

Where and How to Check In

Check-in and badge pickup are usually located within the Georgia World Congress Center.

Atlanta-specific tips:

• Arrive earlier in the day to avoid peak lines, especially on Friday and Saturday.
• Locals often pick up badges after work on Thursday or early Friday to avoid weekend crowds.
• Keep a government-issued photo ID handy for registration or will-call pickup.

Lodging: Staying Near MomoCon in Atlanta

Hotels Within Walking Distance

Many MomoCon attendees stay in or near downtown, within walking distance of GWCC. You’ll find large hotel clusters around:

• Marriott Marquis / Hyatt Regency / Hilton Atlanta corridor (often connected by skybridges)
• Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park
• Westin Peachtree Plaza and nearby properties along Peachtree St NW

Local considerations:

• Rates can be higher during MomoCon weekend due to demand.
• Atlanta residents sometimes book a room just for the weekend to avoid commuting and to enjoy late-night events without driving.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives

If you live in the metro area or are visiting on a tighter budget, consider:

• Hotels near Midtown or North Avenue stations and take MARTA downtown
• Lodging near Airport Station (often more affordable, direct MARTA ride into downtown)

Just be sure to factor in:

• Travel time (about 15–25 minutes by MARTA from many areas)
• End-of-night train schedules if you plan to stay late at the convention

Eating and Breaks: Food Options Around GWCC

The Georgia World Congress Center and surrounding area offer a mix of convention-center concessions and nearby dining.

On-Site and Adjacent Options

Inside or directly connected to the convention area, you may find:

• Concession stands with quick-serve meals and snacks
• Food court-style areas in connected buildings or nearby complexes

These are convenient but can be:

• Crowded at peak times (lunch and dinner)
• More expensive than typical off-site options

Nearby Dining in Downtown Atlanta

Within a short walk or quick rideshare, you can reach:

• Restaurants and fast-casual spots around CNN Center / Centennial Olympic Park
• Dining options along Marietta St NW, Luckie St NW, and Andrew Young International Blvd NW
• Larger clusters of bars and restaurants a bit farther in Midtown or around Peachtree Center

Local tips:

• Build in extra time for meals on Saturday, when lines are longest.
• Many Atlanta locals bring water bottles and small snacks (within event rules) to avoid energy crashes between panels.

Navigating Crowds and Safety in Downtown Atlanta

Major conventions like MomoCon bring tens of thousands of people into downtown. Atlanta is used to handling large events, but it’s still wise to navigate with awareness.

Crowd Navigation Tips

• Use less obvious routes through GWCC when possible to bypass main chokepoints.
• If you’re a local, consider arriving earlier in the day or coming on Thursday/Sunday, which can be lighter than Saturday.
• Wear comfortable shoes—the GWCC complex is large, and you’ll walk more than you expect.

General Safety

Downtown Atlanta is heavily trafficked and patrolled during big events, but standard city awareness still applies:

• Stay in well-lit, populated routes when walking between hotels, MARTA, and GWCC.
• Keep valuables secured and avoid leaving items unattended in crowded areas.
• If you drive, do not leave visible items in your car in downtown lots or garages.

For emergencies, you can contact:

• Atlanta Police Department – Zone 5 (Downtown)
  200 Ted Turner Dr SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Non-Emergency: (404) 658-6666
  Emergency: 911

Accessibility and Family Considerations

Accessibility at GWCC

The Georgia World Congress Center is built to handle large, diverse crowds and typically offers:

• Accessible entrances and elevators
• Wheelchair-accessible restrooms
• Ramps and level access between many event spaces

If you have specific accessibility needs, it’s usually helpful to:

• Review the GWCC layout before arriving
• Allow extra time to navigate between panel rooms and halls

Families and Younger Attendees

MomoCon is generally considered family-friendly, with many parents bringing children and teens.

Atlanta parents often:

• Choose daytime hours for younger kids, when the atmosphere is most relaxed
• Focus on all-ages panels, gaming rooms, and exhibit hall browsing
• Keep children close in crowded areas, especially around popular photo spots or main entrances

If you’re local, you might plan a single-day visit with kids to keep things manageable.

How MomoCon Fits into Atlanta’s Annual Event Calendar

Within Atlanta’s broader lineup of annual and seasonal festivals, MomoCon stands out as:

• One of the largest fan conventions in the city
• A key event anchoring Atlanta’s spring/early summer festival season
• A draw that complements other major pop culture and genre events in town

For Atlanta residents, this means:

• Downtown becomes especially vibrant with visible cosplay and fandom activity during the event.
• Even if you’re not attending, you may notice busy restaurants, higher hotel occupancy, and more activity on public transit.

Practical Planning Checklist for Atlanta MomoCon Attendees

Use this quick-reference guide as you plan your visit:

MomoCon has become a fixture of Atlanta’s cultural calendar, transforming downtown into a vibrant, colorful hub of fandom each year. With a bit of planning around transportation, lodging, and schedules, locals and visitors alike can navigate the city smoothly and enjoy one of Atlanta’s most energetic annual conventions.