A three-day-long anime convention is moving to Chantilly’s Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles from its prior Arlington home this fall.
Now in its 27th year, the volunteer-led “Anime USA” will arrive at the conference center (14750 Conference Center Drive) on Nov. 20 and continue through Nov. 22. With the theme “The RPG,” this year’s edition will have a special emphasis on role-playing games, fantasy, and their connections to anime.
“Anime USA has always been about more than anime,” said Clinton Carlson, the organization’s marketing director. “It’s about creativity, community, and bringing people together through the things they love. As we begin a new chapter in Chantilly, we’re excited to welcome both longtime fans and first-time attendees to experience the incredible talent, passion, and energy that make this community so special.”
Attendees can expect to see elaborate handcrafted costumes, appearances by entertainment personalities, original artwork, and live performances. There will also be opportunities for video and tabletop gaming, shopping for merchandise, and meeting independent creators in Artist’s Alley.
The 2026 lineup includes popular “vtuber” (a YouTube personality who uses a cartoon alter ego) Ironmouse, voice actresses Anastasia Muñoz, Carrie Savage and Natalie Van Sistine, YouTuber Saberspark, illustrator and costume designer Dessi-Desu, cartoonist Kevin Bolk, and the musical group Neo Atomic Motor. Since guest appearances and schedules may change, the lineup will be updated online.
Registration starts at $80, with discounts or free admission for children, depending on the age.
Organizers said they were drawn to the Sully District because of its diverse selection of dining and cultural experiences, such as Japanese restaurants and specialty cuisines.
They ultimately decided on the Westfields-Marriott as a new venue because of its expansive event and meeting spaces, complimentary parking, and location near Dulles International Airport, among other factors.
“Anime USA has always called the DC/NoVa area its home,” said Adam Hennessey, 2026 convention chairman. “The move to Chantilly allows us to stay local to our long-time attendees, and hopefully give pop culture fans in this new area an outlet to express their interests, meet like-minded fans, and enjoy everything our show has to offer.”
