Granite State Comicon

Granite State Comicon is New Hampshire’s longest-running comic book and pop culture convention, held every September in downtown Manchester since 2003. The 2026 edition takes place September 19 and 20, with a Friday evening preview on September 18. The event draws thousands of attendees across the weekend, covering comics, gaming, cosplay, panels, and guest appearances. For anyone making the trip from outside the city, planning your Granite State Comicon car service alongside your tickets and hotel is worth doing early. The two-venue format and limited downtown parking make arrival logistics more involved than a typical single-location event.

What to Expect at Granitecon 2026

The 2026 guest lineup spans actors, comic writers, artists, and cosplay creators. Confirmed guests include Felicia Day, Kevin Eastman, Khary Payton, James Saito, Becky Cloonan, and Simon Bisley, among others. Programming across the weekend covers autograph sessions, photo ops, panels, a gaming lounge with tabletop RPG programming hosted by guest Al Spader, costume contests for adults and children, artist alley, and full vendor halls at both venues.

A sensory-reduced Calmer Space runs at both the SNHU Arena and the DoubleTree on Saturday and Sunday, managed by the CalmPassion team. It includes bean bags, a quiet activity station, and a separate area for attendees who need a break from the main floor. Granitecon has a strong family attendance, and the Calmer Space reflects that. Kids eight and under are admitted free with a paid adult ticket.

A Convention Split Across Two Buildings

The main event runs across two adjacent spaces on Elm Street in downtown Manchester. The SNHU Arena hosts the larger vendor and exhibitor floors, while the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown at 700 Elm Street covers the expo hall, panels, and the gaming lounge. The two buildings sit side by side, so movement between them is on foot. Attendees with a specific guest or panel on their list should check the schedule in advance to know which building it falls in, as programming does not overlap between the two spaces.

Friday’s preview night runs at the Armory, one section of the hotel, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The SNHU Arena and DoubleTree expo hall are not open that evening. The Armory focuses on comic guests and creators in a smaller, more informal setting than the full weekend floor.

First- timer tip: the Friday preview at the Armory is a genuinely low-crowd way to meet comic guests and creators. Lines for autographs and photo ops are shorter than on Saturday, and the atmosphere is closer to a small shop event than a full convention floor.

What Most Attendees Figure Out Too Late

Parking near the DoubleTree and SNHU Arena is limited. The closest surface lots fill quickly on Saturday morning, and the Chestnut Street garage is the most commonly used alternative for attendees who drive in. On a sold-out Saturday, that garage fills before noon. Attendees arriving after 11 a.m. frequently find themselves several blocks away, carrying costumes, bags, and purchases further than expected.

Attendees coming from the Greater Boston area have roughly 55 miles of I-93 North between them and the venue. Those arriving from Logan Airport book a direct transfer north, typically landing Friday evening in time for the Armory preview before the full weekend begins.

Weekend tip: Saturday closes at 5 p.m., and the Elm Street block empties quickly. Having a confirmed pickup time set in advance means leaving on your own schedule rather than competing for rideshare availability at the same moment as thousands of other attendees.

Where to Base Yourself for the Weekend

The DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown is the official convention hotel and the most practical base for multi-day attendees. Its location inside the venue complex means no transfer is needed between the room and the expo hall. Rooms for Granitecon weekend book out early, and most years sell out weeks in advance.

The Hilton Garden Inn at 101 South Commercial Street and the Hampton Inn Manchester Downtown at 21 Front Street are both within a short walk and serve as the next tier once the DoubleTree fills. Both are 0.6 miles from the main entrance. Attendees with early departures from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport on Monday morning sometimes choose one of the airport-adjacent properties instead, trading walkability for a shorter transfer at the end of the weekend.

Private Car Service for Granitecon Weekend

Whether you are coming from Boston, connecting through Logan, or making the trip from anywhere across the region, our Granitecon car service is available for both legs of the weekend. The chauffeur tracks your schedule across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and positions the vehicle around actual close times rather than a fixed estimate.

For this weekend and other annual events in Manchester, a reliable limo company covers the full trip from where you are starting. Book your ride by phone at (857) 352-8138 or email info@asllimo.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Granitecon open and close?

Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Friday preview night at the Armory runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is a separate ticketed event. The SNHU Arena and DoubleTree expo hall are not open on Friday evening.

Can I leave the Granite State Comicon and re-enter the convention during the day?

Re-entry is permitted. Attendees must wear their badge or wristband at all times and may be asked to show it when returning to the convention floor. Keeping your badge visible avoids any delay at the door on the way back in.

What is the closest drop-off point to the Granitecon entrance?

The main entrance for the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown is at 700 Elm Street. Vehicle drop-off directly in front of the hotel puts attendees steps from the convention entrance. For SNHU Arena, the Elm Street frontage is the closest drop point. Both are on the same block, so a single drop-off on Elm Street covers access to both venues.