ColossalCon is an annual four-day anime, gaming, and pop-culture convention held every June at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio. Built around the theme of a tropical vacation, the event combines traditional convention programming with full access to one of America’s largest indoor waterparks, creating a hybrid festival experience. The 2024 edition is scheduled for June 4-9 and expects roughly 20,000 attendees. Programming tracks focus on Japanese animation, cosplay, tabletop and electronic gaming, J-fashion, and live performance. More than 800 hours of panels, workshops, and screenings are offered, including premieres simulcast directly from Japan. A 150,000-square-foot exhibit hall houses over 300 vendors and artists, while the resort’s 215,000-square-foot arcade hosts nightly rhythm-game and fighting-game tournaments with cash prizes. The cosplay scene is a flagship draw: three costume contests (novice, journeyman, and master) award $15,000 in prizes, and the waterfront “Paradise Beach Bash” photo shoot has become one of the most circulated cosplay events on social media each summer. Industry guests announced for 2024 include voice actors Caitlin Glass, Ricco Fajardo, and Emi Lo; production staff from studios such as Sentai Filmworks; and Japanese DJs kz (livetune) and DJ Jo. Musical guests span anisong, synthwave, and kawaii bass, with nightly dances held in the resort’s 3,000-person convention center ballroom. Family-friendly content is emphasized before 9 p.m.; after-hours programming includes 18+ and 21+ panels, drag shows, and poolside electronic sets. New for 2024 are a dedicated indie game showcase, a retro arcade museum curated by the Strong National Museum of Play, and sustainability initiatives that eliminate single-use plastics from all catering areas. Badge options range from $60 single-day passes to $130 premium weekend packages that include early exhibit-hall access and express autograph lines. On-site lodging blocks grant attendees private pool hours from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., and the Kalahari’s convention rate bundles parking, internet, and shuttle service to nearby Cedar Point for post-con thrill rides. ColossalCon’s organizing committee donates a portion of proceeds each year to local animal shelters and the Lake Erie nature conservancy, reinforcing its identity as a vacation convention with a conscience.