DAYTON — A brand-new festival blending anime culture with a centuries-old Japanese tradition is coming to downtown Dayton next weekend.
Destination Dayton announced this week it will introduce Tsukicon, an anime festival built around traditional Japanese moon-viewing, at the Dayton Convention Center on Friday, Oct. 16, through Sunday, Oct. 18. The event takes over 22 E. Fifth St. for three days of programming.
Moon-viewing, known in Japan as tsukimi, is an autumn tradition of gathering to appreciate the harvest moon, often with special foods and decorations. Tsukicon pairs that heritage with anime screenings, cosplay, panels, and vendor areas celebrating Japanese pop culture.
Organizers say the festival was born in Dayton, making its debut edition a homegrown addition to the region’s busy fall festival calendar, which already includes the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival and the Ohio Renaissance Festival the same weekend.
The announcement lands as fall festival season hits full stride across southwest Ohio, with events drawing visitors from across the Miami Valley. Tsukicon’s mix of anime fandom and cultural tradition is expected to draw both longtime fans and curious newcomers.
More details on tickets and the full schedule are expected from the convention center ahead of opening day.
