Maybe you saw a couple Spider-men on the train last week. Or well dressed people lugging a large bag of Vertigo comics and a foam sword on Stephen Avenue. If you keep your eyes peeled, you can always tell when it’s Calgary Expo season.
The four-day nerdy shindig wrapped up its ‘25 edition on April 27, taking over the new BMO Centre with countless panels, art vendors, and celebrity guests like Nicholas Hoult. But perhaps the most conspicuous sign of Expo is the POW! Parade of Wonders (co-presented by Victoria Park BIA and Culture + Entertainment District), which winded its way through downtown Cowtown on Friday, April 25.
Now in its 11th year, this cosplay parade — and official kick-off to a weekend of pop culture goodness — had a new route this year. The party started in Victoria Park and ended right on the new steps of the BMO Centre, with High School Musical alumni, 1,000+ cosplaying fans, Mayor/Thor Jyoti Gondek, and a super-powered dog leading the way. If you didn’t catch it, The Scene’s got the next best thing: a taste of what was Scene and Overheard at this year’s parade!
Next year’s Expo goes down April 23 to 26, 2026.
