Programming

Introduction and Welcome by Durham Mayor & Lore Con Founder

Mayor Leonardo Williams & Lore Con Founder Terril Fields welcome Lore Con to Durham and kick off the convention.

A Guide To Content Creation

Blerd Without Fear and Captain Diesel on the realities of content creation today. Finding your voice, building a brand, navigating algorithms, and cultivating a community, plus the setbacks and lessons that come with it.

Origin Stories: Creators on Craft & Personal Lore

Three comic creators open up about craft, industry, and the personal lore behind their work. From first sketches to published pages, with time for your questions.

Do It For The Lore: Worldbuilding

Jack Harris and Terril Fields walk through the story and the worldbuilding process behind the Lorehous brand, including the back stories of the characters you will see at Lore Con 2026.

Make Me Care: Storytelling From the Page to the Feed

How do you make someone stop scrolling, turn the page, or stay up until 3 a.m. because they need to know what happens next? Join storyteller and creator Brittany R. Coates for an interactive conversation about creating characters and stories that audiences can’t stop thinking about and translating that storytelling into social media content that makes people stop and care. We’ll explore character development, emotional stakes, compelling hooks, fandom, short-form storytelling, and the art of making an audience emotionally invest in a story. Whether you’re a writer, creator, cosplayer, or simply someone who loves fictional characters a little too much you’ll leave with new ways to think about the stories you create and consume.

That’s Goofy Comedy Showcase

A touring veteran comedian brings family friendly stand up on Black culture, nerd culture, family life, and everything in between.

2026 Lore Con Cosplay Exhibition

Lore Con’s first Cosplay Exhibition. No competition, just flaunting your favorite cosplay. Made it or bought it, all are welcome. Sign-ups at the Lorehous booth.

Club Lore: The Official Lore Con 2026 After-Party

Produced by LAN Party and hosted by Kikicheea. 21 and up, included with the Day and Night Pass, or $20 entry with your Lore Con badge.

Kids Beginner Sign Language

Curious about American Sign Language, or has your kid asked about learning another language? Bring them down for an intro to ASL hosted by a professional ASL translator. An easy start to the basics for the whole family.

Introduction to the Ribbon Game

Join the Ribbon Rabbit team as they tell you all about the ribbon game and play games for exclusive ribbons not available at the Ribbon Ops table during Lore Con weekend!

Live Action Cosplays

A look at the rising movement of Black cosplayers stepping behind and in front of the camera to make their own short films, blending culture, creativity, and cosplay into stories that reflect their identities.

16bitsami’s Prop Workshop

Calling all beginner prop makers. Get tips on cost effective materials and simple techniques that make your crafting look professional at any skill level.

Anime Baseball Battle Show

The first live action episode of Anime Baseball Battle. When your bat is a weapon, every swing sparks a showdown. Watch the show with the cast, play games, win prizes.

K-Pop + Hip-Hop Random Dance Play

A random dance play for fans of both. Hear a song you know the choreography to, jump in and show off.

Plus Size EGL Fashion 101

Want to get into Elegant Gothic Lolita fashion but not sure how to find pieces that fit? Resources to get you started and a way into the plus size J-fashion community. All experience levels and sizes welcome.

Leveling Up Your Life with P.I.N.C.H.

An interactive session that rethinks motivation through the lens of neurodivergence, creativity, and resilience. Based on the book A PINCH of Motivation and its framework: Pressure, Interest, Novelty, Challenge, Humor.

Persona for Beginners

Looking to get into the Persona series but not sure where to start? Play in order, or just watch the anime? We break down the best entry points and why the series is worth your time.

The Importance and Impact of Black Women in The Comic Industry

Black women have a larger impact in comics than they are often credited for. A look at the history, importance, and impact of Black women characters and creators in and around the comic space.

Representing the Black Woman: Anime Style

Representation for Black women in anime, how it has been handled so far, what is coming, and how it could be done better.

Deco Photocard Workshop

Celebrate your bias or oshi by decorating your own photocard toploader. Materials provided, bring your own photocard.

Attack on Titan: How Humanity’s Dark History Built Its World

Attack on Titan is more than a story about giant monsters. This panel traces the historical events, political ideologies, and social conflicts behind the series, from walled societies and militarism to discrimination and cycles of violence.

Welcome to Arcadia: A New Horror Series

An exclusive first look at Arcadia, a new horror series, with Victoria King and Johnathan Mashtare. Meet the creative team, hear the process, and see what goes into developing a chilling narrative.

Bald Meet Up

Does your head look like a shiny Milk Dud? Are people always trying to rub it for good luck? Come show off just how good bald looks. Head waxes optional, chrome domes welcome.

Dap Competition

Part of your lore is the people you meet along the way. The first official Lore Con Dap Up Tournament. Show up with a partner or team up with someone new, and bring your most creative and crispy dap.

Black Fae Day Meet Up

Come out in cosplay to express your love of representation and artistic expression of Black people in high fantasy with Black Fae Day!

Naruto Meet Up

Whether you are Team 7 or Akatsuki, gather your fellow ninjas for group photos.

3rd Annual HBCU & BGLO Meet-Up

Calling all Fraternities, Sororities, and HBCUs! The time is NIGH! Get ready for the 3rd Annual #HBCU & #BGLO MEET-UP, hosted by The HBCU Convention in collaboration with Lore Convention!

Be sure to arrive on time so you can be there when your groups are called! Come ready to BE OWT and show your HBCU Pride! BGLOs (D9, etc.) are called 12:30 – 1:00 PM, and HBCUs are called 1:00 – 2:00 PM.

All BGLO Greeks are welcome, whether you attended a HBCU or not. If you’re not HBCU or Greek Affiliated, that’s ok! You’re welcome to hang out and enjoy the vibes. We look forward to seeing you there!

BGLO = Black Greek-Letter Organization
HBCU = Historically-Black Colleges and Universities

Fallout Cosplay Meet Up

Trade items for caps, LARP, and spread news of new settlements. Three best cosplays chosen, prizes handed out.

Comic Cosplay Meet Up

Heroes, villains, and everyone in between, out front for group photos and community connection.

One Piece Meet Up

Calling all Straw Hats. Group photos with the crew you will meet along the way. Hosted by Ogyein.

From DM to Content: Building Successful Creator Collaborations

LilChaos and ObviousDisaster cover everything from sending that first message to filming together. Networking strategies, convention etiquette, how to tell whether a collaboration is the right fit, and how to build relationships that outlast a single post.

Lore Con Year 1 Ending Ceremonies

Wrap up Lore Con’s inaugural year with us and take a photo to commemorate being part of it.

Cosplay Yoga

Stretch, breathe, and strike a pose, magical girl style. Held alongside the Magical Girl Meet-Up, this all-levels session blends gentle stretches and flowing poses to warm up before a long con day. Full costume or comfy cosplay-inspired wear, no experience needed.

Magical Girl Anime Celebration

A celebration of 90s classics including Sailor Moon at 35, Cardcaptor Sakura, and more. A visual tour through manga and media artwork, plus a conversation about why these series stuck. Cosplayers welcome, trivia and prizes after.

Magical Girl Anime Trivia & Games

A continuation of the Magical Girl Anime Celebration with trivia and games including cards, Monopoly, puzzles, and coloring. Blind bag prizes and small gifts for everyone who stays to the end.

Lolita Fashion Jeopardy

A game show for new and veteran members of the lolita fashion community, a Japanese street fashion with a large following in North Carolina. Four categories, five questions each, covering history, brand recognition, and more.

Neurotoxins, Deliriants, and Carcinogens, Oh My

A microbiologist breaks down the biology behind The Apothecary Diaries, walking through the poisons in the show and what they actually do to the body.

Gods of Skyrim: Divines, Daedra, and Dragons

The origins, influence, and interconnected roles of Skyrim’s legendary beings, and how religion, mythology, and cosmic power shape the events of the game.

The Bmore Nerdy Podcast Presents: Level Up

A competitive debating game where two participants are given powers and a location, then argue how they would win a one on one fight. The audience decides. Powers and locations pulled from games, anime, movies, and comics.

You’re Gonna Eat That?! The Symbolism of Food in Horror

Food usually occupies a joyous, communal place in our lives. But what happens when it carries everything ugly, forbidden, and terrifying? A look at the necessity of food in the horror genre.

General Anime Meet Up

An open meet-up for anime fans of every series. Bring your favorite cosplay or just your fandom pride. Hosted by Cosplayer._.0w0.

Video Game Meet Up

Meet fellow gamers and cosplayers outdoors for group photos and community connection across all your favorite titles.

Invincible Meet Up

Suit up. Group photos and a community celebration of the series with fellow fans.

Dragon Ball Meet Up

Power up with fellow Dragon Ball fans. Bring your best Saiyan or villain look for group photos and a friendly hangout.