When it comes to parties that attendees can actually get into, there is no ticket more coveted than Fandom’s annual Thursday night bash. There’s good reason: It’s possibly the single-best experience that attendees will find at the con, with free food, free drinks, plenty of activities, the chance to mingle with celebrities, and a musical performance.
This year marked Fandom’s 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, they went bigger and better than ever. From musical headliner Jason Derulo to immersive experiences, Fandom created an event to ring in their big 20th anniversary that fans will still be talking about for years to come. And that’s the point — last week, we spoke with Fandom’s VP of Premium Solutions, Isaac Ugay, who confirmed that it’s all in service of you: The fans.
“Everything we do at the Fandom Party is for the fans and this year’s party is filled with countless moments curated just for them,” Ugay told us. You can read the full interview here.
Attendees at the 2024 event (who won entry via the Gleam lottery) were first welcomed into Float, the rooftop venue atop the Hard Rock Hotel, with a space decked out for the big 20th anniversary celebration. All night long, stilt walkers and performers entertained the crowds, keeping the atmosphere lively and fun.
Returning sponsors EA, Z2, and Pinfinity once again offered amazing experiences for fans. When you entered the event, you were also given a Dragon Age-themed scavenger hunt, in honor of the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard game, which eventually led you to a special Dragon Age themed photo opportunity. Fans could also delve deeper into the Z2 graphic novel, Jason Derulo’s Uzo, at the party, as well as a custom AR experience with Pinfinity.
Fandom is always generous with both the food and the drinks, with two open bars. We felt like the food stations were better stocked than usual this year, and while they always had a line to get to them, the lines moved quickly, and there were plenty of options, including wild mushroom tartlets, bao buns (delicious!), vegetable summer rolls, and more.
The party isn’t just for fans though — it’s also for celebrities, and it’s one of attendee’s coolest opportunities to party alongside them. We saw comics legends like Jim Lee and Todd McFarlane, legendary athletes like Colin Kapernick, and beloved actors like Doug Jones, Bella Thorne, Jonathan Bennett, and beyond.
The main event, though, was of course Jason Derulo. The 22-platinum-single singer kept the crowd on their feet for what was, in my opinion, the best performance Fandom has ever had, as he worked through both fan-favorite hits and his latest music. Everyone around us seemed incredibly into the music and performance, and we danced the night away.
Overall, Fandom continues to offer possibly the single best experience at the con, by putting fan experiences first. Granted, we are biased, but San Diego Comic-Con is where the fans are — so we’re always so grateful that Fandom recognizes this and celebrates with an event worthy of fan passion.
Here’s to another 20 years, Fandom.
