What Makes DragonCon Different
DragonCon spans five hotels in downtown Atlanta over Labor Day weekend — over 80,000 attendees, 24-hour programming, and one of the most impressive concentration of cosplay talent anywhere in the world. The multi-hotel layout means navigating between venues constantly; the parade on Saturday morning is one of the defining spectacles of the convention calendar.
Hotels and Logistics
The five host hotels (Marriott Marquis, Hyatt Regency, Hilton, Westin, Sheraton) each have their own character and programming focus. The Marriott and Hyatt are the central hubs. Book as early as possible — hotel rooms at host properties sell out within hours of opening. The Walk of Fame celebrity autograph sessions fill quickly; plan your strategy in advance.
The Parade
The Saturday morning parade through downtown Atlanta is the most photogenic event of the convention. Arrive early for a good spectator position (the barriers fill up). If you're marching, the parade organisation begins in a designated assembly area — check the current year's programming for specifics. Your most impressive and photogenic costume belongs in the parade.
Heidi at DragonCon
Chimera Costumes has been represented at DragonCon multiple years. The Smaug costume won masquerade recognition at DragonCon 2021. Follow Heidi's YouTube and TikTok for convention content.