My Little Pony fan convention

2011–2019: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic era

As the fandom grew between 2011 and 2012, nearly a dozen brony conventions were planned across the United States and internationally.^[2] Many of these conventions featured appearances by voice actors, writers, and other creative staff involved with the show who interacted directly with fans at panels, autograph sessions, and other convention activities.^[3][4]

BronyCon was the largest brony convention, held annually from 2011 to 2019.^[4] Initially established as a small gathering in New York City with approximately 100 attendees, BronyCon grew rapidly, eventually reaching a peak attendance of over 10,000 fans at its height.^[5] The convention was originally styled as "BroNYCon," referencing its New York City origins, but later dropped the "NYC" capitalization when it moved to venues outside the city.^[6] In 2012, the third BronyCon attracted 800 attendees, and the fourth in 2013 expanded to a two-day event at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey in June 2012, drawing more than 4,000 attendees. In 2013, the convention permanently relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, and established itself as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under Lunar Solis Corp.^[7] Despite the brony fandom consisting predominantly of male fans (approximately 85% based on a 2013 unofficial survey), BronyCon attracted a more balanced demographic, with 34% female attendance at the 2014 convention. The event maintained a family-friendly atmosphere, with children under 14 comprising about 10% of attendees.^[8] In later years, BronyCon moved to the larger Baltimore Convention Center, with attendance exceeding 8,000.^[9] In 2015, BronyCon reached its peak attendance of over 10,000 guests, becoming the first brony convention to do so.^[5] The final BronyCon, held in 2019, also attracted over 10,000 attendees.^[10]

Other brony conventions founded during this period included Everfree Northwest in Seattle, Washington,^[11] Midwestria in Chicago, Illinois,^[12] Canterlot Gardens in Cleveland, Ohio,^[13][14][15] Equestria LA in Los Angeles,^[16] BABSCon in Burlingame, California,^[17] Ponycon NY in the metropolitan New York City region,^[18][19] BronyCAN in British Columbia, Canada,^[20] GalaCon in Ludwigsburg, Germany,^[21] BUCK in Manchester, United Kingdom,^[22] PonyCon AU in Sydney, Australia,^[23] Crystal Mountain Pony Con in Salt Lake City, Utah^[24] and Pacific PonyCon in San Diego, California.^[25] In addition, My Little Pony conventions established prior to the airing of Friendship Is Magic, such as the My Little Pony Fair and UK PonyCon, saw increases in their numbers due to the brony fandom.^{[2][26][27][28]} A long-running annual art show, the "My Little Pony Project", where artists re-imagine My Little Pony figurines and toys into works of art, also saw additional attendance and contributions from the brony community.^[29][30]

2020–2021: COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the brony convention scene, as organizers were forced to cancel, postpone, or transition events to virtual formats. Virtually all brony conventions were unable to hold in-person gatherings due to health restrictions, venue closures, and COVID-19 lockdowns.^{[31][32][33][34]} During this period, some conventions experimented with online alternatives. Vanhoover Pony Expo conducted its January 2022 event virtually using a Pony Town server that featured digitally recreated Vancouver landmarks.^[35] Other conventions organized online panels, virtual vendor halls, and livestreamed performances.

2021–present: Post-COVID era

As pandemic restrictions eased, brony conventions began returning to in-person formats. UK PonyCon 2021,^[33] Everfree Northwest 2021,^[36] and Ponyville Ciderfest 2021^[37] were held in-person.

In February 2022, Corgi Events LLC—the parent organization of Ponyville Ciderfest and Whinny City Pony Con as well as five furry conventions—collapsed amid financial troubles including an exorbitant tax warrant against its founder, unpaid staff compensation, and management issues. Charlie Worthley, the convention chair of Ciderfest and Whinny City, initially stepped down due to the organizational turmoil. Michelle, Charlie's wife, purchased both conventions from the dissolving company and reinstated Charlie as chair of both events.^[38][39] In 2023, Ponyville Ciderfest raised $111,186.90 for charity.^[40]

In October 2023, Mare Fair—an adults-only convention opened at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida^[41], attracting 525 attendees for its first event^[42]. The Wyndham Orlando Resort closed early the next year, and in 2024, the convention was held at the Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside hotel^[43], raising $111,415 for charity at its second event, and breaking all previous charity donation records by pony conventions^[44]. At its 2025 event, Mare Fair surpassed its previous charity record, and raised $116,090^[45]. The proceeds were donated to Fallen Oak Equine Rescue.

In February 2024, the Mi Amore Fest in Moscow, Russia was closed early by organizers after Russian police investigated complaints that the convention promoted LGBTQ+ content.^[46] A few months prior to this incident, Russian film database Kinopoisk had marked My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic as "18+", with some speculating that it was due to the name of Rainbow Dash, one of the main protagonists of the show.^[46][47] Police conducted two inspections but found no evidence of illegal activity.^[48] It was reported that in an attempt to avoid persecution, organizers of the convention had changed Rainbow Dash's rainbow-colored mane to the colors of the Russian flag.^[46] The incident occurred amid Russia's restrictions on LGBTQ rights in Russia, following the Russian Supreme Court's 2023 designation of the international LGBTQ movement as an extremist organization.^[49]

Schedule and programming

Typically spanning a weekend, pony conventions schedule activities from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon.^[50] Peak attendance tends to occur on Saturday. Some conventions offer discounted single-day admission options.^[51]

Conventions frequently feature presentations, panels, workshops, lectures, Q&As, karaoke, and autograph signings as part of their schedule.^[50] Information about a specific con can be found on their website or in their con book (or conbook), an informational pamphlet or booklet typically distributed at the convention. Con books also include maps of the venue, vendor listings, and information about the guests of honor. They also often include codes of conduct, welcome letters from organizers, staff listings, and sponsor acknowledgements. If a charity is being supported by the convention, it is often listed there.^[50][52]

Music concerts

The brony music scene is considered unique in its enormous volume that spans numerous genres, including electronic dance music, rock, classical arrangements, and specialized fusion genres.^[53] Conventions often feature their own brony music concerts as part of their programming. BronyCon's music concert was called BronyPalooza,^[54] and Everfree Northwest's is called Ponystock.^[55]

Charity auctions

Brony conventions tend to be non-profit organizations with a heavy focus on charity.^[56] Charity auctions at brony conventions are viewed as competitive spectacles where attendees bid on rare merchandise like signed prints from voice actors, worn lanyards, and unique convention posters.^[57] Brony conventions have raised tens of thousands of dollars towards various charitable causes. In 2012, Everfree Northwest's charity auction raised $13,535 for the Seattle Children's Hospital. In 2015, BronyCon's charity auction raised $30,645 for CureSearch for Children's Cancer.^[56]

Active events

Discontinued events