🌸 SacAnime Spring 2026: Your Ultimate Fan Travel Guide to Sacramento
Get ready for one of California’s most beloved anime conventions! SacAnime Spring 2026 returns to Cal Expo in Sacramento from April 24–26, 2026, bringing together thousands of anime fans, cosplayers, gamers, and pop culture enthusiasts for an unforgettable weekend. Whether you’re a seasoned convention-goer or planning your first anime con, this guide has everything you need to make the most of your Sacramento adventure.
📅 Event Details
- Dates: Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26, 2026
- Location: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815
- Hours: Typically opens at 10:00 AM each day
- Venue: The SAFE Credit Union Convention Center at Cal Expo
🎟️ Ticket Prices & Badges
SacAnime offers some of the most affordable badge prices among major anime conventions:
| Badge Type | Pre-Show Price | At-the-Door |
|---|---|---|
| Full Weekend Pass | $45 | $50 |
| Friday Only | — | $25 |
| Saturday Only | — | $30 |
| Sunday Only | — | $25 |
| VIP Add-on | +$30 (early entry, goodie bag, VIP autograph lines) | |
🎉 Kids 11 and under get in FREE when accompanied by a registered adult — making SacAnime one of the most family-friendly cons around!
Pro tip: Book a room at one of SacAnime’s official partner hotels and your badge automatically gets upgraded to VIP status!
⭐ Featured Guests
SacAnime Spring 2026 has already announced an exciting lineup of voice actors and industry guests:
- Brina Palencia — Shirayuki (Snow White With the Red Hair), Mineta (My Hero Academia), Mad Moxxi (Borderlands)
- Catherine Cavadini — Blossom (The Powerpuff Girls)
- David Matranga — Todoroki (My Hero Academia), Bertholdt (Attack on Titan)
- Angela Sant’Albano
- Gabriel Damon
- Candace Hutson
- Vivian Nixon Williams
More guests are typically announced as the convention date approaches — check the official SacAnime website for the latest updates!
🎮 What to Expect at SacAnime
SacAnime packs a huge amount of programming into three days:
- 🛍️ Exhibitor Hall & Artist Alley — Shop for anime merch, manga, figures, handmade art, and exclusive collectibles
- 🎮 Free Video Game & Arcade Rooms — Play retro and modern games all weekend at no extra cost
- 🎭 Cosplay Masquerade — Watch (or enter!) the spectacular costume competition
- 🎤 Panels & Workshops — Learn about voice acting, cosplay construction, manga drawing, and more
- 🎵 Live Music & Concerts — Enjoy performances from anime and J-pop artists
- 👗 Fashion Shows — Japanese street fashion, Lolita, and cosplay runway events
- 🎬 Anime Screenings — Watch new and classic anime on the big screen
- 🃏 Board Games & CCG Tournaments — Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more
- 📸 Autograph Sessions & Photo Ops — Meet your favorite voice actors and celebrities
- 🔄 Swap Meet — Buy, sell, and trade anime goods with other fans
🏨 Best Hotels Near Cal Expo
Cal Expo is conveniently located with plenty of hotel options nearby. Here are our top picks for families:
🌟 Top Pick: Hilton Sacramento Arden West
Just 2 miles from Cal Expo, this family-friendly hotel offers free cribs, connecting rooms, daily breakfast with kids’ options, an outdoor pool, and a hot tub. Perfect for con-going families!
Residence Inn by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo
Spacious suites with full kitchens — ideal for families who want to save on dining. Features a year-round outdoor pool, fitness center, and free breakfast. Reviewers love the new facilities and welcoming staff.
Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento-Cal Expo
Just 7 minutes from Cal Expo off Business 80. Offers free hot breakfast, a pool, and free WiFi. A reliable, comfortable choice for families.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo
Great for extended stays with clean rooms, gym, and laundry facilities. Budget-friendly option with all the essentials.
SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Sacramento Cal Expo
Close to the venue and easy on the wallet. A solid budget pick for convention weekend.
🔍 Compare Sacramento Hotel Deals on Expedia
💡 Parking tip: Parking at Cal Expo is $10/day. Consider booking a hotel with a shuttle or one close enough to rideshare affordably.
🌴 Family Fun Beyond the Convention
Sacramento is California’s capital city and has a TON to offer families. Make it a full vacation!
📍 Old Sacramento Waterfront (20 min from Cal Expo)
Step back into Gold Rush-era California on these historic wooden-plank streets:
- 🚂 California State Railroad Museum — Climb aboard vintage trains and explore railroad history
- ⛏️ Sacramento History Museum — Pan for gold and explore interactive exhibits
- 🐴 Horse-drawn Stagecoach Rides — A hit with kids of all ages
- 🚢 Riverboat Cruises — Narrated tours along the Sacramento River
- 🕳️ Underground Tours — Explore tunnels beneath the streets from the Gold Rush era
- 🛍️ Over 130 unique shops, cafes, and kid-friendly restaurants
📍 William Land Park (15 min from Cal Expo)
- 🏰 Fairytale Town — A storybook-themed park with slides, mazes, and petting zoos
- 🦁 Sacramento Zoo — Hundreds of animal species, family events year-round
- 🎢 Funderland Amusement Park — Classic child-sized rides perfect for younger kids
📍 More Sacramento Attractions
- 🔬 Powerhouse Science Center — Hands-on interactive science museum
- 🧒 Sacramento Children’s Museum — Perfect for kids infant to 8 years old
- 🚗 California Automobile Museum — Vintage and classic car collection
- 🎨 Crocker Art Museum — Kids’ art activities and toddler area
- 🎢 Scandia Family Fun Park — Roller coasters, mini-golf, go-karts, and arcade
✈️ Getting to Sacramento
- By Air: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is just 20 minutes from Cal Expo. Major airlines fly direct from most US cities.
- By Car: Sacramento sits at the junction of I-5 and I-80, making it easily accessible from the Bay Area (~90 min), LA (~6 hours), and Reno (~2 hours).
- By Train: Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor connects Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay Area. The Sacramento Valley Station is downtown.
🌤️ What to Pack
Sacramento in late April is warm and sunny — expect temperatures around 70-80°F during the day. Pack:
- ☀️ Sunscreen and sunglasses (Cal Expo has outdoor areas)
- 👟 Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll be on your feet all day)
- 🧥 A light jacket for cooler evenings
- 🎒 A backpack for convention purchases
- 💧 A refillable water bottle
- 📷 Camera for cosplay photos!
💡 First-Timer Tips
- Buy your badge online — Save $5 and skip the at-door line
- Arrive early Saturday — It’s the busiest day; the Artist Alley gets packed
- Bring cash — Many Artist Alley vendors prefer cash, though most accept cards
- Book hotel ASAP — Partner hotels fill up fast, and you get that free VIP upgrade!
- Cosplay is welcome! — No need to be a pro; have fun with it. Prop and weapon policies are posted on the SacAnime website
- Stay hydrated — Sacramento can get warm, especially if you’re in costume
🎟️ Get Your Tickets
Don’t miss out! Get your badges and tickets for SacAnime Spring 2026 at the official website before they sell out:
📚 More Convention Travel Guides
Planning your convention calendar? Check out our other fan travel guides: