EVENT · ENDS 21 NOVMitchell · Exhibition Park in Canberra

GEEK EXPO Xmas Edition Canberra 2026: Saturday 21 November at EPIC, Tickets From $15, Free Entry 3pm to 5pm, Kids 12 and Under Free (Canberra, ACT)

At a glance

When
Saturday 21 November 2026, 9am to 5pm; individual ticket entry times vary
Where
Budawang Pavilion, Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Flemington Road, Mitchell ACT 2911
Tickets
VIP $75 (entry from 9am); General $15 and Concession $7.50 (entry from 9:30am); children aged 0 to 12 free with a paying adult; booking fees extra
Free entry
3pm to 5pm, using the free-entry ticket on Humanitix
On the floor
Cosplay and a cosplay competition, retro and tabletop gaming, comics and Artist Alley, guest panels, Main Stage, workshops, Just Dance and sketch duels
Parking
Available at EPIC; the organiser says to allow extra time when it is busy
Who it’s for
Families, fans of comics, gaming and cosplay, and people shopping for gifts from independent artists
What to do now
Book on Humanitix, pick your ticket type for your entry time, and bring cash in case you need it, because there is no ATM on site
Last checked
Sunday 8 November 2026, against the organiser’s site and the Humanitix ticket page
Not yet confirmed
The names of guests, the program times for the Main Stage and workshops, and any public transport advice from the organiser

GEEK EXPO Canberra: Xmas Edition is on Saturday 21 November 2026 at Exhibition Park in Canberra, with general entry from 9:30am and free entry from 3pm to 5pm. Tickets start at $15 for general admission, $7.50 for concession card holders, and children aged 12 and under are free with a paying adult.

The organiser, Geek Events, describes it as an indoor, family-friendly event and “one last geek out” for 2026. This guide sets out the ticket types and fees, the hours, what the organiser says is on, what to know about parking and cash, and what the organiser has not yet published. Prices and times are as listed on 8 November 2026, and all times are Canberra clock time (AEDT).

What does it cost to get in?

Ticket Price Booking fee shown Entry from
VIP $75 $4.39 9am
General admission $15 $1.75 9:30am
Concession card holders $7.50 $1.42 9:30am
Kids aged 0 to 12 Free None shown 9:30am
Free entry Free None shown 3pm

The organiser says the prices are base prices and booking fees may apply, and that guest autographs and photographs may attract separate charges. Check your ticket for your entry time and confirm it when you book. The VIP ticket gives early entry from 9am, and the organiser says to check Humanitix for the full list of VIP inclusions.

Children must be accompanied by a responsible parent or adult guardian who holds a valid ticket. Companion Card holders do not need a ticket for entry, and the organiser says a Companion Card gives one free ticket to a support person or carer when you buy your own. The organiser’s FAQ says concession cards give discounted entry when you show an eligible card.

An AI-generated illustration of a crowded indoor exhibition hall with rows of colourful stalls
AI-generated illustration, not a photo of the actual location

How does the free entry from 3pm work?

Free entry is available from 3pm to 5pm. The organiser says you need to select the free-entry ticket on Humanitix, so it is still a ticket you book rather than a walk-up arrangement. The organiser has not said how many free tickets are released or whether the free-entry ticket covers every zone, and it notes that entry conditions depend on ticket type.

If you want the full day, a general ticket gets you in from 9:30am for $15 plus the booking fee. Anyone arriving after 3pm can use the free-entry ticket instead, which leaves about two hours inside.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

The organiser says door tickets may be available subject to capacity, and recommends booking online. The Humanitix page says there are no refunds. Re-entry on the same day is allowed with a valid wristband.

What is on at the show?

The organiser lists six areas on its Xmas Edition page:

  • Cosplay: costumes, meetups, photo moments and a competition. You can register an entry for the Xmas cosplay competition through the organiser’s site.
  • Gaming: retro favourites, tournaments and free-play experiences.
  • Guests and panels: actors and creators from film, TV and voice work, plus comic book guests.
  • Comics: meeting comic creators and the stories behind the page.
  • Tabletop: tabletop and card games with other players.
  • Artist Alley: independent artists, comics, collectables and pop culture finds.

It also lists Just Dance, gaming tournaments, fan displays and comic sketch duels. The Humanitix page says to expect artists and creators with gift-ready finds, comics, collectibles and fandom merchandise, and a festive end-of-year atmosphere. The organiser describes the day as a chance to wrap up your Christmas shopping.

Artificial Christmas trees on display in a department store in the Canberra Centre in November 2025
Christmas trees on display in a Canberra Centre store, November 2025; the Xmas Edition is pitched as a place to shop for gifts (photo: Nick-D / CC BY-SA 4.0)

What is the schedule?

Time What
9:00am Event opens (VIP entry)
3:00pm Free entry begins
5:00pm Event closes

The organiser splits the day into three programmes: the Main Stage (live performances and Q&As), workshops and panels, and cosplay meetups. It says the programme is subject to change, that unannounced workshop slots and meetups are shown as not yet announced, and that the D&D Live session is not yet confirmed. The times for individual sessions had not been published on the pages checked.

Who are the guests?

The organiser’s page has sections for special guests, TV, film and voice talent, creators and artists, comic book guests, cosplayers and featured cosplayers. On 8 November 2026 the pages checked did not name individual guests. Check the organiser’s site before you go if a particular guest is the reason you are buying a ticket.

An AI-generated illustration of a family playing a board game at long tables in a large pavilion
AI-generated illustration, not a photo of the actual location

Where do I park and how do I get there?

The event is in the Budawang Pavilion at Exhibition Park in Canberra, Flemington Road, Mitchell ACT 2911. The organiser says parking is available at EPIC and to allow additional time during busy periods. It has not published a parking fee, a map or any public transport advice for the event.

The event is indoors, and the organiser describes it as family friendly and welcoming to all ages. For buses and light rail, Transport Canberra publishes the timetables and service alerts for the day.

A yellow classic car driving along a street during the Summernats Street Parade in Canberra in January 2018
The Summernats Street Parade, January 2018; EPIC also hosts the annual Summernats festival (photo: Nick-D / CC BY-SA 3.0)

What should I know about cash, food and access?

  • Cash: there is no ATM at the venue. The organiser says the closest ATMs are in the neighbouring suburbs of Mitchell or Dickson, and suggests bringing cash. All vendors accept cash or card.
  • Food: food and drink are available on site or nearby.
  • Accessibility: Companion Cards are honoured, and the organiser publishes an accessibility policy on its policies page. The pages checked do not give details of accessible parking or toilets at the pavilion.
  • Rules: the organiser’s policies page lists props, costume, trader, code of conduct and anti-harassment policies. The pages for the props and costume policies hold the details for anything you carry.
A large Christmas tree in Civic, Canberra, in December 2015
A Christmas tree in Civic, December 2015 (photo: Grahamec / CC BY-SA 4.0)

When is the next GEEK EXPO in Canberra?

The organiser lists a GEEK EXPO Canberra on 17 and 18 July 2027. Its 2027 tour also includes Goulburn on Saturday 13 March, Albury Wodonga on Saturday 29 May, Wagga Wagga on Saturday 28 August and Bendigo on Saturday 25 September 2027.

What is still not confirmed?

  • The names of guests and the times of Main Stage sessions, workshops and meetups.
  • Whether the D&D Live session will run.
  • Parking fees and any public transport advice for the day.
  • How many free-entry tickets are available.

The organiser’s Xmas Edition page and the Humanitix listing are the first places new details will appear. If tickets sell out, the Humanitix page has a waitlist option.

Sources

Photos: EPIC and Racecourse light rail stop, Summernats Street Parade, Canberra Centre and Civic, as credited in each caption (text added to the featured image). Two illustrations are AI-generated and are marked as such.

OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Geek Events, GEEK EXPO or Exhibition Park in Canberra. Dates, prices and ticket availability can change; check the official pages above before you go.