VidCon is back again this year in Anaheim, with plenty of new surprises in store for fans and content creators alike.

The event is set to take place from Thursday, June 25, to Saturday, June 27, and includes a full schedule of nonstop meet-and-greets, mentorship sessions, informative talks, and interactive events for attendees.

Last year's VidCon fell on YouTube's 20th anniversary, so the event honored early YouTube legends like Hank Green, Rhett & Link, Grace Helbig, Tyler Oakley, Smosh co-founders Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox, and more. The YouTube pioneers were celebrated and awarded at VidCon’s first annual Hall of Fame ceremony.

This year’s VidCon looks a little different — this time, the event focuses on the wider content-creating industry beyond YouTube. 

The three-day itinerary includes something for everyone: opportunities to meet favorite creators, informative sessions on content creation, interactive events like GorillaCon and pickleball, and more.

GorillaCon

VidCon 2026 promptly kicks off with the first-ever GorillaCon event on Thursday morning. What is GorillaCon, you ask? It’s a live event celebrating Gorilla Tag, described on the VidCon website as the world’s most popular virtual reality game.

At GorillaCon, attendees have the opportunity to celebrate being "Monke" in the 3,000 square foot VidCon Expo Hall. A GorillaCon ticket includes access to Gorilla Tag creators for autographs and photo-ops, and priority position for merchandise, prizes, raffles, and an auction for "crazy rare Monke artifacts."

The event will also include concerts, trivia, cosplay, parades, and more. VidCon attendees need a separate GorillaCon ticket to attend, which can be purchased on the VidCon website.

AI and content creation

This year's VidCon tackles an important elephant in the content creation industry room: how content creators can use AI and AI-powered tools. 

The title sponsor of VidCon is POP.STORE, an agentic AI commerce platform that allows creators to track follower analytics and sell products without relying solely on social media platforms. 

The platform also includes a tool called ECHO-ME, which adapts to an individual content creator’s voice and helps them respond to followers and brand deals authentically. POP.STORE is expected to showcase ECHO-ME at this year’s VidCon.

VidCon's schedule also includes several informative sessions on AI and content creation, ranging from the future of branded content to how content creators could use AI tools and AI authenticity in content creation.

Exclusive perks for VidCon, Creator, and Pro Pass holders

Different ticket tiers include a wide range of new perks this year as well. VidCon Pass holders will experience the new Live Podcast Studio, where featured creators will record live podcasts, and the Community Zone, where fans can gather for meetups and performances.

Creator Pass holders will have access to Creator HQ this year, a new space for collaborating with other creators, as well as a new, exclusive networking tool and creator meetups. 

Pro Pass holders will have access to a VidCon speed networking event, the first VIP Expo Hall party, and Think Tank 20, where attendees can gather in 20-person groups to explore topics in-depth. 

A few Pro Pass holders can also participate in the invite-only VidCon brand match accelerator, which will include one-on-one meetings between top creators and decision-makers. 

All VidCon attendees will have access to the new Sport Court, newly expanded Gaming Zone, as well as VidCon's street fest — aka a massive celebration that will feature food trucks, live music, and dancing.

Attendees can also expect a few familiar favorites events, like the pickleball tour and the Hall of Fame ceremony, which just inducted new members Markiplier, Philip DeFranco, Michelle Phan, and Cassey Ho.

Mashable will be on the ground at VidCon 2026, covering the creators, trends, and conversations driving internet culture, from breaking news and creator interviews to industry insights and live updates.