CTN Animation eXpo, the artist-run gathering better known as CTNX, returns to Burbank November 19 through 22, 2026. It marks 18 years for the event, which takes over the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center for four days of panels, screenings, workshops, portfolio reviews, and an exhibitor showroom.
Early-bird passes are on sale now, and prices step up after November 7. CTNX lines up with the City of Burbank’s official Animation Week, complete with a citywide proclamation and a mayor’s ribbon cutting. Here is the plan, based on CTN’s own pages as of October 5, 2026.
The quick version
| When | Thursday, November 19, through Sunday, November 22, 2026 |
| Where | Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 |
| Public showroom | Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Passes | Early bird: $179 for three days, $129 for the weekend, $79 for one day, $25 for a one-day community pass (general rates) |
| Price change | Regular rates through November 7; last-minute rates start November 8 |
| Hotel rate | $189 a night at the Marriott; reserve by October 27 |
| Official site | ctn-events.com |
What CTNX is
CTN (Creative Talent Network) describes the expo as a community-driven, global gathering for visual storytelling artists, held over four days in Burbank. It is built for artists at every stage, including students, studio professionals, and independent creators, with screenings, panels, workshops, portfolio reviews, networking, scholarships, and exhibitions. CTN says profits go to charities focused on artist enrichment, which ties into the event’s motto, “No Artist Left Behind.”
The schedule at a glance
| Day | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| Thursday, November 19 | Attendee check-in 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; MasterClasses 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Opening Night event 6 to 9 p.m. |
| Friday, November 20 | Breakfast with the Pros 10 to 11 a.m.; showroom 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Main Theater 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Saturday, November 21 | Breakfast with the Pros 10 to 11 a.m.; showroom 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Main Theater 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Sunday, November 22 | Showroom 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Main Theater 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
CTN also lists late-night screenings and on-site sign-ups for Career Camp portfolio reviews. A more detailed schedule is coming to the official CTNX app in October.
Passes
CTN sells three tiers of each pass: General, Member, and Student. Early-bird prices as listed on October 5:
| Pass | General | Member | Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) | $179 | $149 | $79 |
| 2-Day (Saturday and Sunday) | $129 | $99 | $59 |
| 1-Day (pick Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) | $79 | $59 | $39 |
| 1-Day Community | $25 | $20 | $15 |
- 3-Day perks: Early theater entry for presentations and screenings, plus priority seating where applicable.
- Community passes cover one day and do not include the optional add-on experiences.
- Timing: Regular rates run through November 7, 2026, while limited quantities remain. Last-minute rates begin November 8.
- Students: CTN notes student discounts through the CTN Foundation, a 501(c)(3).
Staying and getting there
The Marriott sits directly across from Hollywood Burbank Airport, which makes CTNX one of the easier conventions to fly into. The event is held at the hotel itself, so a room puts you steps from the late-night screenings.
- Group rate: $189 a night for a limited number of rooms. Reserve by October 27 to get it.
- Stay two nights, get in free: CTN lists a hotel offer where booking two qualifying nights includes complimentary CTNX26 admission. The offer is non-refundable, and restrictions apply.
- Ride and room sharing: CTN runs a community board for attendees who want to split rides or rooms.
Plan around Thursday
CTN calls Burbank the “Animation Capital of the World,” and the expo week doubles as the city’s official Animation Week. If you are coming in from out of town, note that check-in, the MasterClasses, and Opening Night all happen on Thursday, a day before the public showroom opens. A Thursday arrival gets you the full four days.
Still to come
CTN has not posted a named list of 2026 presenters, the full room-by-room schedule, or parking details on its event pages as of October 5. The detailed schedule is due in the CTNX app in October. The 824 Journal will update this guide when it lands.
Sources
- CTN Events: CTNX 2026 (dates, venue, 18th year, passes, prices, hotel rate and offers, Animation Week, mission)
- CTN Events: Schedule (daily hours, MasterClasses, Breakfast with the Pros, Career Camp, app schedule)
- Visit Burbank: CTN Animation Expo
Featured photo: Junkyardsparkle via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
