25 Years Later, The Hobbits Are Coming to MEGACON Orlando

Photo by Chi Tang

It’s been 25 years since four unlikely heroes set out from the Shire and forever changed the face of fantasy cinema. In 2026, the beloved actors behind those Hobbits — Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee), Billy Boyd (Pippin Took), Dominic Monaghan (Merry Brandybuck), and Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins) — will reunite for an extraordinary celebration: An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years, a once-in-a-quarter-century tour stopping at 11 FAN EXPO HQ conventions across North America, including MEGACON Orlando.

The Orlando stop, one of the tour’s most anticipated, will take place Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Orange County Convention Center, during MEGACON Orlando’s four-day pop culture extravaganza.

A Reunion Worthy of the Shire

More than a reunion and far more than a panel, An Evening with the Hobbits promises a warm, whimsical, and unpredictable experience. Described as part variety show, part storytelling session, and entirely Hobbit-sized fun, each stop will offer something new, from behind-the-scenes memories and hilarious on-stage antics to heartfelt reflections and spontaneous surprises.

Fans can expect the same camaraderie that made The Lord of the Rings cast so iconic, a mix of inside jokes, personal stories, and the enduring friendship that continues to delight audiences decades later.

“This isn’t just a look back,” said Andrew Moyes, Vice President of FAN EXPO HQ. “Fans are delighted whenever we host these gentlemen individually, but together, the energy is electric. Their characters are beloved, their friendship is indelible, and the joy they bring to audiences is unmatched. We can’t wait to present this special anniversary celebration in 2026.”

Aa Journey That Changed Cinema

At a recent FAN EXPO appearance, Elijah Wood reflected on the milestone:

“To be celebrating this milestone, a quarter of a century, just feels abstract. It still feels like the films are really present. The fact that we’re spending this kind of time (at conventions with fans and doing shows like this) it keeps it so fresh for us. It’s such a massive, continual part of our lives.”

From the lush hills of the Shire to the fires of Mount Doom, the journey of The Lord of the Rings remains one of cinema’s most enduring adventures. The 25th anniversary offers fans a chance to relive that journey with the very actors who brought Tolkien’s timeless characters to life.

Photo by Valerie Garrett

Tour Dates Across Middle-earth and North America

The celebration kicks off in January and runs through September 2026:

• FAN EXPO New Orleans – Jan. 10, 2026, 7:30 PM CT

• FAN EXPO Portland – Jan. 17, 2026, 7:30 PM PT

• FAN EXPO Vancouver – Feb. 14–16, 2026 (TBD)

• MEGACON Orlando – Mar. 21, 2026, 7:30 PM ET

• Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo – Apr. 25, 2026, 7:30 PM MT

• FAN EXPO Denver – May 28–31, 2026 (TBD)

• FAN EXPO Philadelphia – May 29–31, 2026 (TBD)

• FAN EXPO Boston – Aug. 8, 2026, 7:30 PM ET

• FAN EXPO Chicago – Aug. 15, 2026, 7:30 PM CT

• FAN EXPO Canada – Aug. 29, 2026, 7:30 PM ET

• FAN EXPO Dallas – Sept. 12, 2026, 7:30 PM CT

Tickets and Exclusive Experiences

Tickets for the Orlando event go on sale October 22, 2025, at 10 AM ET. Admission to MEGACON Orlando is required. VIP experiences will offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including photo ops, autograph sessions, and exclusive anniversary merchandise available only on the tour.

Organizers also teased additional programming to mark the milestone year, including more Lord of the Rings guest appearances at FAN EXPO events throughout 2026.

A Celebration Fit for Hobbits

If history is any guide, these evenings are expected to sell out faster than pints at The Green Dragon. Whether you’re a lifelong Tolkien devotee or a new fan discovering Middle-earth for the first time, An Evening with the Hobbits promises to be an unforgettable, once-in-a-generation celebration of friendship, storytelling, and the magic that continues to bind fans together 25 years later and counting.