San Jose is weird. It’s the heart of Silicon Valley, a place where people obsess over high-level code and venture capital, yet it also hosts some of the most down-to-earth, maker-centric fan gatherings in the country. If you’re looking for the San Jose Comic Con experience, you’ve probably noticed things have shifted. It’s not just one thing anymore. You have the massive "SiliCon with Adam Savage" (formerly Silicon Valley Comic Con), but you also have smaller, hyper-local shows like the San Jose Super Toy Show that keep the old-school collector spirit alive.
It’s confusing. Honestly, it really is.
Most people expect the San Jose convention scene to be a carbon copy of San Diego or New York. It isn't. While the big corporate shows focus on "The Next Big Marvel Movie," the San Jose flavor tends to lean heavily into the "Science" part of Science Fiction. Credit for that goes largely to the shift in leadership when Adam Savage of MythBusters fame took the creative reigns of the city's flagship show. He moved the needle away from just "celebrity photo ops" and toward "look at this cool thing I built in my garage."
The Evolution of the San Jose Comic Con Scene
The history here is a bit of a rollercoaster. For years, the San Jose McEnery Convention Center was the home of "Silicon Valley Comic Con." It was launched with a massive amount of hype by Steve Wozniak—yes, that Wozniak—with the goal of merging tech and pop culture. It worked, mostly. But after a few years of growing pains and a global pandemic that shut everything down, the event rebranded. It became SiliCon with Adam Savage.
Why does that matter? Because the vibe changed.
If you go now, you'll still see the cosplayers. You’ll see the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers. You’ll see people dressed as characters from Genshin Impact. But you’ll also see a disproportionate amount of NASA scientists, aerospace engineers, and professional prop makers. It’s a geekier, more intellectual brand of fandom. It’s less about waiting six hours in a line to see a trailer for a movie that comes out in three years and more about learning how to use a 3D printer to make a screen-accurate Mandalorian helmet.
The "Super Toy" Factor
We can't talk about San Jose without mentioning the San Jose Super Toy Show. It’s the grit to SiliCon’s polish. Hosted at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, this is the place where the "San Jose Comic Con" vibe feels like 1995 in the best way possible. There are no fancy LED screens. It’s just rows and rows of longboxes, vintage Kenner Star Wars figures, and that specific smell of old paper and plastic.
For the hardcore collector, this is actually the superior event.
You’re not paying $100 for an entry ticket. You’re paying $15 to walk into a room where you can actually haggle over the price of a Giant-Size X-Men #1. It’s a different beast entirely. It’s local. It’s sweaty. It’s authentic.
What Actually Happens Inside the McEnery Convention Center?
When you walk into a major San Jose Comic Con event like SiliCon, the floor plan is usually a mess of sensory overload. To your left, a guy is selling hand-forged katanas. To your right, there’s a panel about the ethics of Artificial Intelligence in art. Straight ahead? A life-sized replica of the Ecto-1.
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The guest lists reflect this weird duality. One year you might have Christopher Lloyd talking about Back to the Future, and the next, you have an astronaut from the Artemis mission explaining how they're going to grow lettuce on the moon. It’s this specific intersection of "I love fantasy" and "I love how things work" that defines the San Jose audience.
Why the Location Matters
San Jose is expensive. Let's be real. If you’re traveling from out of town, you're going to feel it in your wallet. The McEnery Convention Center is right in the middle of downtown, which means you’re surrounded by high-end hotels and tech offices.
But there’s an upside.
The light rail drops you off basically at the front door. There are incredible taco spots within walking distance—do not skip La Victoria and their "orange sauce," it’s a local religion. Because the city is so integrated with the tech industry, the Wi-Fi at the convention center actually works, which is a miracle compared to the dead zones you find at other major cons.
The Cosplay Culture in the South Bay
Cosplay in San Jose is next level.
In some cities, people buy a costume off a rack and call it a day. In San Jose, because half the attendees are engineers, the costumes are often motorized, illuminated, or structurally engineered to defy gravity. I’ve seen a Hulkbuster suit that was nearly eight feet tall and fully articulated. I’ve seen people incorporate augmented reality into their props.
It’s not just a hobby here; it’s a showcase of technical skill.
The "Masquerade" or cosplay contest at SiliCon is usually the highlight of the weekend. It’s not just about who looks the most like the character. It’s about the "build." Adam Savage often walks the floor himself, looking for interesting maker projects. If you’re a cosplayer, getting a "Savage" sticker or a nod from him is basically winning an Oscar in this community.
Common Misconceptions About the Show
People often think they can just show up on Saturday morning and get a ticket. Don't do that.
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San Jose isn't San Diego—it doesn't sell out in 30 seconds—but the capacity at the McEnery is limited. Saturday usually sells out a few weeks in advance. If you try to walk up to the box office at 11:00 AM on a Saturday, you’re probably going to be disappointed.
Another myth is that it’s "only for kids."
Honestly, the San Jose crowd leans older. It’s a lot of Gen X and Millennials who have the disposable income to spend $500 on a signed comic book. There’s a huge focus on the "Maker" movement, which attracts hobbyists, woodworkers, and techies. While there is plenty for kids—like the "Kids Space" workshops—the panels are often quite sophisticated. You might find yourself in a deep-dive discussion about the physics of warp drives rather than just watching a cartoon screening.
The Economic Impact (The Boring but Important Stuff)
This isn't just about capes and tights. The San Jose Comic Con circuit is a massive economic driver for the South Bay. When 30,000-40,000 fans descend on downtown, every hotel from the Marriott to the Hilton fills up. The restaurants see a huge spike.
But it’s also a networking event.
I’ve heard stories of people getting hired at tech startups because they struck up a conversation with a founder while waiting in line for a Stan Lee autograph (back when he was still with us). In San Jose, the person dressed as a Wookiee might actually be a Senior VP at a cloud computing firm. Never judge a book by its cover, especially not here.
The Diversity of the Shows
If you’re planning a trip, you need to know which show is which.
- SiliCon with Adam Savage: Usually happens in the late summer or fall. Big guests, big science, big price tag.
- San Jose Super Toy Show: Happens multiple times a year (usually March, June, August, December). Small, affordable, collector-focused.
- FanimeCon: This is the massive anime-specific con held on Memorial Day weekend. It’s one of the largest in the country. If you want anime, this is your show. If you want "Comic Con" in the traditional sense, wait for SiliCon.
Is It Worth the Trip?
If you live in the Bay Area, absolutely. It’s a no-brainer. If you’re flying in from across the country, it depends on what you want.
If you want the "Hollywood" experience with massive movie trailers and A-list movie stars at every turn, go to San Diego. If you want a show that celebrates the process of creation—the building, the science, the "how-to"—then the San Jose scene is unparalleled. It’s a smarter show. It’s a curious show.
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You won't just leave with a bag of merch. You'll probably leave wanting to go home and build something.
How to Do San Jose Right
Don't just stay in the convention center. Downtown San Jose has some gems that fit the geeky vibe of the weekend.
Check out The Tech Interactive. It’s a science and technology center that’s just a short walk away. They often have exhibits that tie into whatever is happening at the con. If you’re into gaming, Guildhouse is a massive social gaming lounge nearby that usually throws "after-parties" where you can grab a drink and play PC games or board games with other attendees.
Survival Tips for the Weekend
First, wear comfortable shoes. The McEnery floor is concrete covered by thin carpet. Your lower back will hate you by 3:00 PM if you're wearing flat-soled sneakers or cosplay boots.
Second, bring a portable battery. Even though the convention center has decent Wi-Fi, the sheer number of people in one spot means your phone will be constantly searching for a signal, which kills your battery.
Third, eat early. The food inside the convention center is... well, it’s convention food. It’s expensive and mediocre. Walk two blocks in any direction and you’ll find better food for half the price. San Pedro Square Market is about a 10-minute walk and has a dozen different food stalls.
Looking Toward the Future
The "San Jose Comic Con" brand is only going to get more specialized. As the giant cons become more corporate and generic, these regional shows are finding success by leaning into their local identity. For San Jose, that identity is "The Maker."
Expect to see more integration with Silicon Valley tech firms. Don't be surprised if you see VR demos from Apple or robotics displays from local labs. The line between science fiction and science fact is thinner in this city than anywhere else on earth.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Check the Calendar Early: SiliCon and FanimeCon have very different vibes. Make sure you’re booking for the one that actually matches your interests.
- Book the Light Rail: Don't bother with parking. It’s a nightmare and will cost you $30 or more. Stay at a hotel further out near a VTA station and ride the train in.
- Follow the Guest "Drops": Most of these shows announce their big celebrities 2–3 months out. Follow their official social media accounts to see when photo op tickets go on sale, as the popular ones sell out instantly.
- Bring Cash for the Toy Show: If you're going to the Super Toy Show at the Fairgrounds, many vendors still prefer cash and it gives you more leverage when negotiating prices.
- Pack a "Con Kit": Include a reusable water bottle, hand sanitizer, a small notebook for sketches or autographs, and a sturdy tube if you plan on buying any art prints.
San Jose might not have the name recognition of San Diego, but it has a soul that's built on 1s and 0s, PVC pipe, and pure imagination. It’s the comic con for the person who doesn’t just want to watch the story, but wants to know how the props were made. If that sounds like you, you’ve found your people.