There’s almost no such thing as a surprise anymore. We’ve become saturated by a surplus of information, a culture obsessed with being in the know, constantly living in anticipation of an arrival. Not a day goes by when you don’t see a new movie trailer online, pass a TV show poster on your morning commute, or see a musician promote their upcoming album in a viral late night clip. We’re always informed of what’s up next, an awareness of the impending future that has driven the element of surprise to near extinction. But in 2016 something different happened in the entertainment world.
When tickets went on sale for San Diego’s Comic-Con they sold out in record time. But don’t worry — there are plenty of other fan festivals and geek gatherings where you can fly your freak flag. Here are eight great events that rival Comic Con for their nerdy spirit.