DesignerCon Expands with New Pasadena Event, Returning Home in 2026

The art and designer toy convention will debut a two-day show in Pasadena, where the brand was founded 21 years ago.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:45pm

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DesignerCon, a popular art and designer toy convention, is expanding its footprint with a new event in Pasadena, California. The two-day DesignerCon Pasadena show will take place on Father's Day weekend, June 20-21, 2026, marking a return to the city where the convention was established in 2005. Organizers say the new Pasadena event will offer a more curated experience than the convention's flagship November show in Las Vegas.

Why it matters

The DesignerCon Pasadena event signals the brand's strategic expansion across the U.S. and a reconnection with the artists and fans who helped build the convention from its grassroots beginnings in Pasadena over 21 years ago. The new show aims to provide attendees with closer access to creators and limited-edition collectibles in the Southern California market.

The details

DesignerCon Pasadena will feature a lineup of artists, independent designers, toy creators, and pop culture brands. Tickets are on sale now, with single-day admission priced at $20 and two-day weekend passes for $35 (early-bird pricing of $30 available through March). The event is designed to offer a more intimate and curated experience compared to the larger Las Vegas convention.

  • DesignerCon was founded in Pasadena in 2005.
  • DesignerCon Pasadena will take place on June 20-21, 2026, over Father's Day weekend.
  • The DesignerCon convention in Las Vegas is scheduled for November 13–15, 2026.

The players

DesignerCon

An internationally recognized convention focused on designer toys, contemporary art, and pop culture, which was founded in Pasadena in 2005.

Ben Goretsky

The Founder and CEO of DesignerCon.

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What they’re saying

“DesignerCon's return to Pasadena feels like coming home. This is where our community first came together more than 21 years ago. Bringing the show back in a more intimate format allows us to reconnect with the artists and fans who built this from the beginning, while continuing to grow the brand in new ways.”

— Ben Goretsky, Founder and CEO of DesignerCon

What’s next

Additional programming details and participating artists for DesignerCon Pasadena will be announced in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

DesignerCon's expansion into Pasadena, the city where the brand was founded over two decades ago, demonstrates the convention's continued growth and commitment to connecting with its core community of artists, designers, and fans in Southern California.