Organizers are expecting more than 90 vendors, as well as food trucks, a stamp rally, a K-pop random play dance, a cosplay contest, door prizes and more at Rakku-Con Fall 2026.
The free festival and market will run on Saturday, Sept. 26 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Genesis Centre in northeast Calgary.
The event is organized by Jeannie Kha, a Calgary-based business owner and community event organizer who constructs pop culture items and hosts various events focused around K-pop, anime and fandom communities. Kha said Rakku-Con was built to provide a space for fandoms that previously lacked opportunities to come together in the city.
“Growing up in Calgary there was a lack of space in the community for what was once considered niche fandoms like K-pop and anime,” Kha said.
Kha said as K-pop and anime have become more mainstream, Rakku-Con has continued to grow alongside the community. The event is meant to bring people together through shopping, activities, performances and social interaction.
Local artists at the forefront
The Genesis Centre was chosen as the location in part because of Kha’s connection to northeast Calgary. She said she wants to showcase what the community has to offer while keeping the event accessible to attendees. Admission is free, and the venue is accessible by public transit in addition to having free parking.
Local artists and small businesses will also be represented at the event. Along with a variety of Calgary creators, vendors will be traveling from elsewhere including Edmonton, Vancouver and Saskatchewan. Kha said Rakku-Con enables artists to showcase their work and connect directly with the community.
“Calgary has an amazing circle of talented artists and makers. Rakku-Con is our answer to Calgary’s pop culture and art scene,” Kha said.
Not your average arts market
The event will have numerous activities for families, friends and pop culture fans. The K-pop random play dance; a dance where all K-pop fans naturally jump into a circle to perform bits of popular songs, and cosplay contests will give attendees opportunities to participate. The stamp rally, vendors and food trucks will provide attendees with other ways to spend the afternoon.
Kha said the interactive activities are intended to make Rakku-Con different from a traditional art market.
“Having games and activities gets the community out there together and involved.”