Animé Los Angeles opens the 2027 convention year Thursday, January 7 through Sunday, January 10, at the Long Beach Convention Center. It is the 22nd edition of the nonprofit show, and the programming list reads like a winter carnival for anime fans: a masquerade, a fashion show, an idol showcase, a Saturday concert series, a formal dance, cosplay chess, and an AMV contest.
Four-day badges are $95 through October 31, then $105, and kids under 6 do not need a badge. Guests have not been announced yet. Here is what the convention has posted as of September 28, 2026.
The quick version
| When | Thursday, January 7 through Sunday, January 10, 2027 |
| Where | Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach |
| Highlights | Masquerade, fashion show, idol showcase, Saturday concerts, formal dance, cosplay chess, AMV contest |
| Badges | Four days $95 through October 31, 2026; $105 through January 5; $110 at the door |
| Ages | Everyone 6 and older needs a badge |
| Refunds | None. Transfers allowed through December 31, 2026. |
| Official site | animelosangeles.org |
Guests and programming
The convention says guest announcements are coming later this year. The events list is already long:
- Masquerade: The cosplay stage competition. Sign-ups opened September 1, 2026.
- Fashion Show and Idol Showcase.
- Saturday Concert Series.
- Formal Dance and DJ dances.
- Cosplay Chess, the AMV Contest, and ALA’s Next Top Star.
- Children’s and Teens Cosplay Contest.
- Live programming (panels), with applications still open.
- Artist Alley, with applications still open.
Badges
ALA uses tiered pricing, so buying early saves real money. From the attendee registration page:
| Badge | Advance | At the door |
|---|---|---|
| Four-day | $95 through October 31, 2026; $105 November 1 through January 5, 2027 | $110 |
| Thursday only | $40 to $45, depending on tier | $45 |
| Friday only | $50 to $55, depending on tier | $55 |
| Saturday only | $60 to $65, depending on tier | $65 |
| Sunday only | $50 to $55, depending on tier | $55 |
- Kids: Children under 6 do not need a badge. Everyone 6 and older does.
- Parent in Tow: One parent or guardian, 18 or older, with a paid child ages 6 to 14 can buy a $40 Parent in Tow badge at the door.
- Single days are sold and picked up only on the day they are valid.
- No refunds, under any circumstances. You can transfer a badge through December 31, 2026.
- No mailing. Badges are picked up at the convention with photo ID.
Badge pickup
Pickup is at the Promenade North Entrance, Room 101AB. Bring photo ID.
| Day | Pickup hours |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, January 6 | 3 to 8 p.m. (pre-registered badges only) |
| Thursday, January 7 through Saturday, January 9 | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, January 10 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Tip: the Wednesday night pickup window is the easiest way to skip the Thursday morning rush.
Cosplay and props
These rules come from ALA’s props policy, last updated December 1, 2025. Check for a 2027 update before you build.
- Peace-bonding every day. Bring props to the Convention Operations tables at the security entrances for a brightly colored tie or trigger lock.
- Allowed: Soft props made of foam or covered in cardboard, lightweight 3D-printed props with internal supports, and arrows with flexible shafts.
- Replica firearms must be 50 percent fluorescent orange, painted on permanently.
- Not allowed: Real weapons; airsoft, BB, and paintball guns; hard bladed props of metal, plastic, or rubber; working projectile weapons; explosives and chemicals; hard blunt props with no give; obstructive hard spikes; and sticks attached to signs.
- Photo shoot? Staff in bright yellow ConOps vests can temporarily remove a peace-bond for photos.
Inside the convention center
- Food: The Long Beach Convention Center has a no outside food or drink policy. Vegan and gluten-free options are sold inside. For medical or dietary exceptions, talk to a security supervisor at any entrance.
- Water: Refill stations are throughout the venue.
- Parents and quiet time: The FAQ lists a Parent and Quiet Lounge in Room 202B.
Where to stay
ALA has room blocks at a dozen Long Beach hotels, booked through Passkey. The deposit (one night’s room and tax) is due at the December 9, 2026 cutoff. A few examples from the official hotels page:
| Hotel | Distance | Block rate | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Regency | 0.1 mile | $212 to $262 | 15% off self-parking |
| Marriott Downtown | 0.2 mile | $201 to $256 | 25% off self-parking |
| Westin | 0.4 mile | $202 to $237 | $25 self-parking |
| Hilton | 0.8 mile | $164 to $211 | Free, with hotel shuttle |
| Queen Mary | 1.7 miles | $189 | $22 |
Accessibility
According to the FAQ, the Attendee Services desk is in the main lobby near the escalators and stairs. ADA queue access is available for panel lines, and canes and walking sticks are inspected at entry.
A little history
Animé LA started in 2005 at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, with 616 attendees. It moved to the Hilton Burbank Airport in 2008, then the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, the Ontario Convention Center in 2016, and Long Beach in 2022. Attendance reached 18,786 in 2025. The show is sponsored by the California Anime Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our 2027 Southern California convention calendar has the rest of next year’s lineup.
Still to come
Guests, the programming schedule, daily hours, concert lineup, and any 2027 update to the props policy had not been announced as of this writing. The 824 Journal will update this guide when they are.
Sources
- Animé Los Angeles, official site (dates, venue, events, deadlines)
- Animé Los Angeles, Attendee Registration
- Animé Los Angeles, Props Policy
- Animé Los Angeles, FAQ
- Animé Los Angeles, Official Hotels
- Animé Los Angeles, History
Featured photo: Tehsigo Eternamente (J Mondragon) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
