What is VidCon? Everything you need to know about the 2026 creative conference

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

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

This year’s event takes place 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 communities 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 alongside the creator economy itself. While the early programs focused mostly on YouTubers, today’s meeting showcases a broader creative landscape that includes TikTok stars, Live streamers, podcasters, educators, entrepreneurs, and independent media companies.

When is VidCon 2026?

VidCon Anaheim 2026 takes place June 25–27 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Registration and other pre-event activities begin on June 24.

The convention celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2026 and includes three days of panels, meet and greets, live demonstrations, workshops, networking events, and industry programs.

Who is attending VidCon?

VidCon attracts three main groups:

Followers

For many attendees, VidCon is an opportunity to meet creators they’ve followed online for years. Fan-focused programming includes creator panels and performances, meet-and-greets, live podcasts, concerts, social gatherings, and interactive experiences.

The creators

Emerging and established creators come together to learn about audience growth, monetization, content strategy, productivity, and brand relations. 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 for you.

Industry experts

Brands, platforms, talent managers, marketers, agencies, and media executives use VidCon to track trends in the creative economy and build partnerships. In fact, the conference has become the largest business event in the digital media industry.

What happened at VidCon?

The VidCon schedule includes a mix of entertainment, education, and networking.

Attendees can expect:

• Creator panels and Q&A sessions

• Meet featured creators

• Live podcast recordings

• Workshops and educational sessions

• Expo hall activation and brand experience

• Industry highlights and presentations

• Public meetings

• Evening events and games

The event also features an opening ceremony and VidCon Hall of Fame ceremony, which honors creators who have helped shape Internet culture.

As creators’ businesses become more complex, VidCon’s 15th anniversary event will be sponsored by POP.STORE, a creator monetization platform that plans to unveil ECHO-ME, an AI-powered commerce platform designed for creators. The sponsorship marks a significant change from last year, when the conference’s title sponsor was YouTube, underscoring how discussions around the creative industry’s infrastructure and monetization have become central to the event.

Who is attending VidCon 2026?

VidCon has announced hundreds of featured creators for its 2026 event across gaming, comics, lifestyle, education, and entertainment. The list of official creators continues to expand until the convention. Here are the featured creators attending this year’s VidCon:

Among the highlights this year is the VidCon Hall of Fame’s second inductee class, which includes pioneering creators Markiplier, Philip DeFranco, Michelle Phan, and Cassey Ho.

Why is VidCon still important?

The creative economy has changed dramatically since VidCon’s inception in 2010, but the convention remains one of the few places where the Internet exists in physical form.

Creators who spend most of their careers talking about screens get to meet their audience face-to-face. Fans who spend years participating in online communities can experience those communities in real life. And industry leaders are gathering 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 ground, which platforms are benefiting, and which trends will change Internet culture in the coming year.

How to go to VidCon?

Tickets for VidCon Anaheim 2026 are available through the convention’s official website. Pass options range from fan-centric experiences to creator and industry access categories, depending on what attendees are hoping to get out of it.

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

Mashable will be on hand at VidCon 2026covering the creators, trends, and conversations that drive internet culture, from breaking news and creator interviews for industry insights and live updates.