Dragon Con Atlanta: What It Is, What Happens, and How It Works for Locals and Visitors

If you live in Atlanta or plan to visit over Labor Day weekend, you’ve probably heard people talk about Dragon Con. Costumed fans fill MARTA trains, downtown streets buzz late into the night, and hotel lobbies turn into mini movie sets. But what exactly is Dragon Con Atlanta, and how does it work if you want to attend or simply navigate the city that weekend?

This guide breaks down what Dragon Con is, where it happens in Atlanta, what to expect, and practical tips for locals and visitors.

What Is Dragon Con in Atlanta?

Dragon Con is a large, fan-run science fiction, fantasy, comics, gaming, and pop culture convention held every year in downtown Atlanta over Labor Day weekend (Friday through Monday).

It’s known for:

• Massive cosplay (people dressed as characters from movies, TV, anime, comics, and games)
• Celebrity guests from film, TV, voice acting, and more
• Panels and discussions on every fandom imaginable
• Tabletop and video gaming
• Late-night events and parties
• A large vendor and art show
• The public Dragon Con Parade through downtown Atlanta

Unlike some conventions that are heavily industry- or studio-driven, Dragon Con is often described as feeling fan-focused and community-driven, with programming that runs nearly 24 hours a day.

When and Where Dragon Con Happens in Atlanta

Annual timing

• When: Every year on Labor Day weekend
• Typical days: Friday through Monday (with some badge pickup and events starting Thursday evening)
• Hours: Programming may run from early morning to late night or even overnight, especially in hotel spaces

Main locations in downtown Atlanta

Dragon Con events are not in a single building. They are spread across several major hotels and spaces in downtown, often including:

• Hyatt Regency Atlanta – A core convention hotel
• Marriott Marquis Atlanta
• Hilton Atlanta
• Sheraton Atlanta Hotel
• Westin Peachtree Plaza
• Additional nearby venues may be used for specific tracks, gaming, or special events in some years.

Most of these are within a short walk of each other in the Peachtree Center / Courtland St area, forming a compact “Dragon Con campus.”

Basic location overview

What Happens at Dragon Con?

Dragon Con is a broad mix of programming tracks, activities, and fan communities. You can attend in costume, in casual clothes, for one day, or all weekend.

1. Panels, talks, and fan-track programming

Dragon Con features hundreds of panels and sessions each year on topics such as:

• Science fiction and fantasy TV shows and films
• Comics, manga, and graphic novels
• Anime and animation
• Science and space exploration
• Writing, art, and creative careers
• Technology, hacking, and robotics
• Historical costuming, armor making, and prop building

Most panels are included with your Dragon Con membership (badge). They are spread across multiple hotels, so you’ll likely move between buildings throughout the day.

2. Celebrity guests and autographs

Each year, Dragon Con invites a guest list that commonly includes:

• Actors from popular TV shows and movies
• Voice actors from anime and games
• Comic book artists and writers
• Authors and creators

You can usually:

• Attend Q&A panels
• Purchase autographs or photo ops (these typically have separate fees)
• See surprise drop-ins at certain events or panels

If you’re local, you may find it worthwhile to plan a single-day visit around one or two specific guests you want to see.

3. Cosplay and costumes

Dragon Con is widely known, especially in Atlanta, for its cosplay culture:

• People wear elaborate costumes nearly 24/7 during the convention
• Hotel lobbies, especially at the Marriott Marquis, become informal cosplay photo hubs
• Group photos and themed meetups (e.g., superheroes, anime, specific shows) are common

You’re not required to cosplay, but it’s one of the biggest attractions for both attendees and Atlanta locals who come downtown just to look at the costumes.

4. Gaming

If you’re into gaming, Dragon Con usually offers:

• Tabletop and board gaming
• Role-playing games (such as D&D and other systems)
• Video game rooms
• Competitive or casual play sessions

You can often sign up for specific game sessions on-site, though popular games may fill quickly.

5. Vendor halls and art show

Dragon Con features large exhibitor, dealer, and artist spaces where you can:

• Buy comics, collectibles, costumes, props, and artwork
• Find local and national creators
• Discover independently made games, books, and crafts

For Atlanta residents, this can be a once-a-year chance to shop a huge concentration of genre-specific vendors without leaving the city.

6. Late-night events and parties

Dragon Con is famous for nightlife inside the convention hotels:

• Theme dances and costume balls
• Live music and DJ parties
• Late-night panels and comedy shows

This gives Dragon Con a different energy from daytime-only festivals. If you’re staying downtown or live nearby on MARTA lines, you’ll see the city stay lively deep into the night.

The Dragon Con Parade in Downtown Atlanta

One of the most visible parts of Dragon Con—especially for Atlanta locals who aren’t attending the full convention—is the Dragon Con Parade.

What is the Dragon Con Parade?

The parade is a large public event featuring:

• Cosplayers and organized costume groups
• Fandom-themed marching groups and vehicles
• Costumed versions of everything from superheroes to classic sci-fi characters

The parade generally takes place on Saturday morning of Dragon Con weekend.

Where does the parade go?

Parade routes can change, but they typically:

• Run through downtown Atlanta streets near Peachtree Street NE
• Start and end near the core convention area

You don’t need a Dragon Con badge to watch. Many Atlanta residents simply come downtown Saturday morning to stand along the sidewalks and enjoy the costumes.

Tips for watching the parade as a local or visitor

• Arrive early: Sidewalk spots can fill quickly.
• Use MARTA: Driving and parking near Peachtree Center, Five Points, or nearby areas can be difficult. The Peachtree Center MARTA Station is often the most convenient.
• Bring water and sun protection: Atlanta’s Labor Day weekend is often hot and humid.

How Dragon Con Works for Attendees

If you’re considering actually going to Dragon Con instead of just watching from the sidelines, it helps to understand the basics.

Memberships (badges)

To attend most Dragon Con events inside the hotels, you need a membership, often called a badge. Common options include:

• Four-day or multi-day badges (covering the whole weekend)
• Single-day badges (for a specific day, like Saturday only)

Badges are usually available:

• Online in advance at lower prices
• On-site (availability and price can vary based on demand and timing)

You must wear your badge visibly to access convention spaces.

Registration and badge pickup

Dragon Con typically has a central registration area in or near one of the main hotels, where you:

1. Check in (with your ID and proof of purchase, if bought online)
2. Receive your physical badge and materials

Lines can be long at peak times, especially Thursday evening and Friday morning, so locals often:

• Pick up badges as early as possible
• Avoid peak line hours by arriving at off-peak times if schedules allow

Planning your schedule

There is usually a detailed schedule of panels, events, and activities. Attendees often:

• Browse the schedule in advance
• Mark “must-see” panels or guests
• Choose a primary hotel as a home base for their interests (e.g., sci-fi TV panels tend to cluster in specific hotels, gaming in others)

Because events are spread across multiple buildings, you’ll want comfortable shoes and a small bag for essentials.

Staying in Atlanta for Dragon Con

For out-of-town visitors

If you’re visiting Atlanta for Dragon Con:

• Host hotels (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, Westin) typically book up far in advance
• Many attendees reserve rooms a year ahead or immediately after the prior year ends
• Nearby downtown hotels and some Midtown Atlanta hotels (near North Avenue, Midtown, or Arts Center MARTA stations) are also popular

Staying along a MARTA rail line is very convenient. The Peachtree Center Station puts you closest to the main Dragon Con hotels.

For Atlanta-area residents

If you live in the metro area, you can:

• Commute in daily using MARTA
• Park at a suburban MARTA park-and-ride lot and ride the train
• Drive downtown and use public parking, though prices and availability can be affected by the convention and other events

Many local attendees like the flexibility of going home at night, while others choose to stay in a hotel one or two nights to fully experience late-night events.

Getting Around Downtown During Dragon Con

MARTA and public transit

For Dragon Con weekend, MARTA is usually the most practical option:

• Rail stations near Dragon Con:
  • Peachtree Center (closest to the main hotels)
  • Five Points (a short walk south)
• Trains run on a weekend schedule; many riders dress in cosplay right on the train, which has become part of the Atlanta Dragon Con culture.

If you’re not used to MARTA, plan your route from:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) directly to Peachtree Center
• Suburban stations like North Springs, Doraville, Indian Creek, or College Park to downtown

Driving and parking

If you decide to drive:

• Expect heavy traffic near downtown, especially around parade time and peak evening hours
• Public and private parking decks in the Peachtree Center and Centennial Olympic Park areas may fill or charge event rates
• Some locals park slightly farther away and walk or use MARTA for the last part of the trip

What Dragon Con Means for Non-Attendees in Atlanta

Even if you never set foot inside a panel room, Dragon Con still affects the Atlanta experience over Labor Day weekend.

You’ll notice:

• Increased traffic and congestion, especially downtown
• MARTA trains more crowded than a typical weekend
• Cosplayers everywhere in the downtown core, food courts, and nearby restaurants
• Hotel lobbies and nearby bars packed with attendees late into the night

Many Atlanta residents treat Dragon Con as:

• A chance to people-watch downtown
• A weekend to avoid driving through Peachtree Center if crowds aren’t your thing
• A time to adjust commutes if you work or have plans downtown

If you’re visiting Atlanta for unrelated reasons that weekend (sports events, concerts, etc.), it’s useful to build in extra travel time and be prepared for crowds.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Dragon Con in Atlanta

Whether you’re a committed fan or curious local, a few basic strategies can make the weekend smoother:

For full attendees

• Buy badges early to avoid higher last-minute prices and possible sellouts
• Book lodging early, especially if you want to stay in a host hotel
• Plan your must-see events, but stay flexible—lines and crowding are part of the experience
• Stay hydrated and eat regularly; Atlanta heat plus long hotel lines can be draining
• Wear comfortable shoes for walking between hotels

For locals checking it out casually

• Consider a single-day badge if you want to explore the vendor halls or panels
• If you only want the parade and cosplay viewing, you can enjoy a lot of the atmosphere from public spaces without a badge
• Take MARTA to Peachtree Center to avoid parking stress
• Explore nearby food courts and restaurants around Peachtree Center and Downtown—they often get busy but are a big part of the Dragon Con scene

In Atlanta, Dragon Con is more than just a convention in a hotel—it's a citywide pop culture event that transforms downtown every Labor Day weekend. Whether you attend all four days, drop by for a few hours, or simply watch the parade, understanding what it is and how it works helps you make the most of Atlanta during one of its most distinctive annual traditions.