.jpg)
AMy Little Pony fan convention (also called abrony convention,[1]brony con, orpony con) is afan convention organized for thefandom of the animated television seriesMy Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, whose adult fans are commonly referred to asbronies. These conventions bring together fans of the show to participate in various activities including panels,workshops,vendor halls,cosplay contests, and meet-and-greets withvoice actors, writers, and other people involved in the production of the show. The first significant brony convention,BronyCon, was held inNew York City in 2011 and initially attracted 100 attendees, but grew dramatically in subsequent years, reaching over 10,000 attendees in 2015.
These conventions typically span a weekend and feature specialized events such asbrony music concerts,charity auctions, and interactive activities with show creators. While the fandom is predominantly male, conventions have attracted diverse audiences, with BronyCon recording 34% female attendance in 2014.
As of 2025[update], despitethe original television series ending in 2019, active conventions continue worldwide in various locations—including theUnited States,Canada,United Kingdom,Germany,Italy, theNetherlands,Russia, theCzech Republic, andChina—with many of them maintaining strong charitable components and raising tens of thousands of dollars for various causes. With the closure of BronyCon in 2019,Everfree Northwest is the largest brony convention in the world.
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 inNew 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 theMeadowlands Exposition Center inNew Jersey in June 2012, drawing more than 4,000 attendees. In 2013, the convention permanently relocated toBaltimore, Maryland, and established itself as a501(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 largerBaltimore 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 includedEverfree Northwest inSeattle, Washington,[11] Midwestria inChicago, Illinois,[12] Canterlot Gardens inCleveland, Ohio,[13][14][15] Equestria LA inLos Angeles,[16]BABSCon inBurlingame, California,[17] Ponycon NY in themetropolitan New York City region,[18][19]BronyCAN inBritish Columbia,Canada,[20]GalaCon in Ludwigsburg, Germany,[21] BUCK inManchester, United Kingdom,[22] PonyCon AU inSydney, Australia,[23] Crystal Mountain Pony Con inSalt Lake City, Utah[24] and Pacific PonyCon inSan Diego, California.[25] In addition,My Little Pony conventions established prior to the airing ofFriendship Is Magic, such as the My Little Pony Fair andUK 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-imagineMy Little Pony figurines and toys into works of art, also saw additional attendance and contributions from the brony community.[29][30]
TheCOVID-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, andCOVID-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 aPony Town server that featured digitally recreated Vancouver landmarks.[35] Other conventions organized online panels, virtual vendor halls, and livestreamed performances.
As pandemic restrictions eased, brony conventions began returning to in-person formats.UK PonyCon 2021,[33]Everfree Northwest 2021,[36] andPonyville Ciderfest 2021[37] were held in-person.
In February 2022, Corgi Events LLC—the parent organization ofPonyville Ciderfest and Whinny City Pony Con as well as fivefurry 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 February 2024, theMi Amore Fest inMoscow,Russia was closed early by organizers after Russian police investigated complaints that the convention promotedLGBTQ+ content.[41] A few months prior to this incident, Russian film databaseKinopoisk had markedMy Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic as "18+", with some speculating that it was due to the name ofRainbow Dash, one of the main protagonists of the show.[41][42] Police conducted two inspections but found no evidence of illegal activity.[43] 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 theRussian flag.[41] The incident occurred amid Russia's restrictions onLGBTQ rights in Russia, following theRussian Supreme Court's 2023 designation of theinternational LGBTQ movement as anextremist organization.[44]
In October 2025,Mare Fair—an adults-only convention held inOrlando, Florida founded in 2023 by Corpulent Brony and organized by users of/mlp/—came under public scrutiny due toallegations of zoophilia among its founders. Anexposé compiled from accounts by other bronies andhorse rescue staff stated that Mare Fair's leadership included an individual who had been accused ofsexual abuse of animals, and that Corpulent Brony also owns a website that had willingly hostedbestiality. The convention NeighCon, announced for April 2026, was later discovered to have been founded by the two Mare Fair staff members.[45]
.jpg)
Typically spanning a weekend, pony conventions schedule activities from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon.[46] Peak attendance tends to occur on Saturday. Some conventions offer discounted single-day admission options.[47]
Conventions frequently featurepresentations, panels,workshops,lectures, Q&As,karaoke, and autograph signings as part of their schedule.[46] Information about a specific con can be found on theirwebsite or in theircon book (orconbook), an informational pamphlet or booklet typically distributed at the convention. Con books also include maps of the venue, vendor listings, and information about theguests of honor. They also often includecodes 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.[46][48]
.jpg)
Thebrony music scene is considered unique in its enormous volume that spans numerous genres, includingelectronic dance music,rock, classical arrangements, and specialized fusion genres.[49] Conventions often feature their own brony music concerts as part of their programming. BronyCon's music concert was called BronyPalooza,[50] andEverfree Northwest's is called Ponystock.[51]
Brony conventions tend to benon-profit organizations with a heavy focus oncharity.[52]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.[53] Brony conventions have raised tens of thousands of dollars towards various charitable causes. In 2012, Everfree Northwest's charity auction raised $13,535 for theSeattle Children's Hospital. In 2015, BronyCon'scharity auction raised $30,645 forCureSearch for Children's Cancer.[52]
| Next/Last held | Name | Place | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9–11 January 2026 | Vanhoover Pony Expo | Vancouver, Canada | |
| 9–11 January 2026 | Vanhoover Pony Expo` | ||
| 13–15 February 2026 | HarmonyCon | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| 13–15 February 2026 | HarmonyCon` Convention inDallas, Texas themed around music, with a Coltchella concert event.[55] Notable for its "neat interactive website".[56] | ||
| 21–22 March 2026 | Festival of Friendship | Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom | |
| 21–22 March 2026 | Festival of Friendship` A smaller UK-based convention for theMy Little Pony fandom.[57] | ||
| 5–6 April 2025 | Ponies Online | Discord (virtual), International | |
| 5–6 April 2025 | Ponies Online` Virtual convention held on Discord.[57] | ||
| 1–3 May 2026 | NeighCon | Baltimore, Maryland, United States | |
| 1–3 May 2026 | NeighCon` Maryland-based brony convention[58] | ||
| 2–3 May 2026 | Griffish Isles | Manchester, United Kingdom | |
| 2–3 May 2026 | Griffish Isles` UK-based convention held in Manchester.[57] | ||
| 6–7 June 2026 | EponaFest | Cremona, Italy | |
| 6–7 June 2026 | EponaFest` ItalianMy Little Pony convention held in Cremona.[57] | ||
| 6–8 June 2025 | Everfree Encore | Uslar, Germany | |
| 6–8 June 2025 | Everfree Encore` Musical convention hosted in Germany.[57] | ||
| 18-19 July 2026 | China Southern Brony Carnival | Guangzhou, China | |
| 18-19 July 2026 | China Southern Brony Carnival` One of the major Chinese brony conventions.[57] | ||
| 24–26 July 2026 | TrotCon | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| 24–26 July 2026 | TrotCon` Founded in 2012 by members who had previously been involved in organizinganime conventions throughout Ohio, the first TrotCon was held at theOhio State University's Union.[34] | ||
| 21–23 August 2026 | Everfree Northwest | Bellevue, Washington, United States | |
| 21–23 August 2026 | Everfree Northwest` | ||
| 5–7 September 2025 | Mare Fair | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
| 5–7 September 2025 | Mare Fair` First held in 2023, Mare Fair is an adults-onlyMy Little Pony fan convention organized by Snowpity, Inc., in Orlando, Florida.[57] | ||
| 5–6 September 2026 | GalaCon | Waiblingen, Germany | |
| 5–6 September 2026 | GalaCon` | ||
| 13–14 September 2025 | RuBronyCon | Moscow, Russia | |
| 13–14 September 2025 | RuBronyCon` | ||
| 19–21 September 2025 | SeaquestriaFest | Ocean City, Maryland, United States | |
| 19–21 September 2025 | SeaquestriaFest` Themed convention based on the underwater realm of Seaquestria from theMy Little Pony franchise.[57] | ||
| 25–26 October 2025 | UK PonyCon | Birmingham, United Kingdom | |
| 25–26 October 2025 | UK PonyCon` | ||
| 25–26 October 2025 | Ponycon Holland | Zeist, Netherlands | |
| 25–26 October 2025 | Ponycon Holland` Dutch convention for My Little Pony fans.[57] | ||
| 21–23 November 2025 | Ponyville Ciderfest | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 21–23 November 2025 | Ponyville Ciderfest` Founded in 2014 and organized by Worthwhile Events NFP, Ponyville Ciderfest is a pony con in Milwaukee that attracts fans ofMy Little Pony for a weekend of panels, music events, vendor halls, and charity fundraising that has collected over $261,000 throughout its span.[57] | ||
| 5–7 December 2025 | The Hearth's Warming Club | Ithaca, New York, United States | |
| 5–7 December 2025 | The Hearth's Warming Club` A relatively small event held in December and likewise themed after the holiday season and the fictional holidayHearth's Warming Eve.[64] | ||
| 5–7 June 2026 | Whinny City Pony Con | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 5–7 June 2026 | Whinny City Pony Con` | ||
| 21–23 August 2026 | Czequestria | Prague, Czech Republic | |
| 21–23 August 2026 | Czequestria` | ||
| Last held | Name | Place | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 August 2019 | BronyCon | Baltimore, Maryland, United States | |
| 1–4 August 2019 | BronyCon` Founded in 2011 inNew York City, BronyCon began as a small gathering of approximately 100 people. The convention experienced rapid growth, moving toSecaucus, New Jersey in 2012 before permanently relocating to the Baltimore Convention Center in 2013. BronyCon was the largestMy Little Pony fan convention in the world, reaching a peak attendance of 10,215 at its final event in 2019.[4][10] | ||
| 14–16 September 2012 | Midwestria | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 14–16 September 2012 | Midwestria` Brony convention held inSt. Charles, Illinois.[12] | ||
| 28–30 September 2012 | Canterlot Gardens | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | |
| 28–30 September 2012 | Canterlot Gardens` | ||
| 25–27 August 2017 | BronyCAN | Richmond, British Columbia, Canada | |
| 25–27 August 2017 | BronyCAN` Canada's first brony convention, held annually from 2013 to 2017 at the Executive Hotel Vancouver Airport. The convention peaked at over 1,000 attendees and was succeeded byVanhoover Pony Expo in 2019.[68][69][54] | ||
| 17–19 November 2017 | Equestria LA | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| 17–19 November 2017 | Equestria LA` Southern California's brony convention that catered to theMy Little Pony fan community in theLos Angeles area.[16] | ||
| April 2014 | BUCK | Manchester, United Kingdom | |
| April 2014 | BUCK` A majorMy Little Pony fan convention in theUnited Kingdom that attracted international attention, featured onNational Geographic Australia's "Darren McMullen's Outsiders" program.[22] | ||
| 18–20 April 2025 | BABSCon | Burlingame, California, United States | |
| 18–20 April 2025 | BABSCon` Founded in 2014 inCalifornia, BABSCon was the first pony con in theBay Area and became the second-largest brony con in the world.[70][71] The final BABSCon took place in 2025.[72] | ||
| 31 August–1 September 2018 | Crystal Mountain Pony Con | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | |
| 31 August–1 September 2018 | Crystal Mountain Pony Con` | ||
