My Little Pony fan convention#Active events

File:BronyCon 2014 (14662187680).jpg of BronyCon 2014 at the Baltimore Convention Center.]]

A {{em|My Little Pony}} fan convention (also called a brony convention, or brony con or pony con) is a fan convention organized for the fandom of the animated television series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, whose adult fans are commonly referred to as bronies. These conventions bring together fans of the show to participate in various activities including panels, workshops, vendor halls, cosplay, and meeting voice actors, writers, and other people involved in the production of the show. The first significant brony convention, BronyCon, was held in New York City in 2011 and initially attracted 100 attendees, but grew dramatically in subsequent years, reaching over 10,000 attendees in 2015.

These conventions typically span a weekend and feature specialized events such as music festivals, charity auctions, and interactive activities with show creators. While the fandom is predominantly male, conventions have attracted diverse audiences, with BronyCon recording 34% female attendance in 2014.

{{As of|2025}}, despite the original television series ending in 2019, active conventions continue worldwide in various locations—including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and China—with many of them maintaining strong charitable components and raising tens of thousands of dollars for various causes. With the closure of BronyCon in 2019, Everfree Northwest is the largest brony convention in the world.

History

File:Bronycon summer 2012 outside shot.jpg]]

The first BronyCon was held in New York City in 2011, attracting approximately 100 people. The event grew quickly, with the third convention held in January 2012 attracting 800 attendees, and the fourth expanding to a two-day event at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey in June 2012, drawing more than 4,000 attendees. Special guests at this expanded event included series developer Lauren Faust and voice actors John de Lancie, Tara Strong, Andrea Libman, Peter New, Lee Tockar, Amy Keating Rogers, Cathy Weseluck, and Meghan McCarthy.{{cite web|url=http://bronycon.org/about/convention-history/ |title=Convention History |publisher=BronyCon |access-date=2015-03-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315004435/http://bronycon.org/about/convention-history/ |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}

As the fandom grew between 2011 and 2012, nearly a dozen brony conventions were planned across the United States and internationally.{{cite web | url = http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/my-little-pony-smackdown-girls-vs-bronies/ | title = My Little Pony Smackdown: Girls vs. Bronies | date = 2012-06-28 | access-date = 2012-06-28 | work = Collectors Weekly | first = Lisa | last = Hix }} Many of these conventions featured appearances by voice actors, writers, and other creative staff involved with the show who interacted directly with fans at panels, autograph sessions, and other convention activities.{{cite web|url=http://www.themarysue.com/tara-strong-cosplay/|first=Jill|last=Pantozzi|title=My Little Pony's Tara Strong Chooses Twilight Sparkle For Her First-Ever Cosplay|website=The Mary Sue|date=2012-10-01|access-date=2025-04-14}}{{cite news | url = http://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2012/06/29/Pittsburgh-guys-profess-love-for-My-Little-Pony/stories/201206290240 | title = Pittsburgh guys profess love for My Little Pony | work = Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | first = Rob | last = Wennemer | date = 2012-06-29 | access-date = 2012-06-29 }}

BronyCon was the largest brony convention, held annually from 2011 to 2019. Initially established as a small gathering in New York City with approximately 100 attendees, BronyCon grew rapidly, eventually reaching a peak attendance of over 10,000 fans at its height. The convention was originally styled as "BroNYCon," referencing its New York City origins, but later dropped the "NYC" capitalization when it moved to venues outside the city.{{cite web| url= http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/11/bronycon-2013-moves-to-baltimore.html |title=BronyCon 2013 Moves to Baltimore |website=Equestria Daily|first=Shaun|last=Scotellaro |access-date=2012-11-10}} In 2013, the convention permanently relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, and established itself as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under Lunar Solis Corp.{{cite web |url= http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/11/addition-to-bronycon-venue-announcement.html |title=Addition to Bronycon Venue Announcement |website=Equestria Daily |first=Shaun|last=Scotellaro |access-date=2012-11-11}}

Despite the brony fandom consisting predominantly of male fans (approximately 85% based on a 2013 unofficial survey), BronyCon attracted a more balanced demographic, with 34% female attendance at the 2014 convention. The event maintained a family-friendly atmosphere, with children under 14 comprising about 10% of attendees.{{cite web | url = https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/08/bros-and-my-little-pony/375793/ | title = The Bros Who Love My Little Pony | first = Jennifer Goforth | last = Gregory | date = 2014-08-08 | access-date = 2014-08-08 | work = The Atlantic }}

In later years, BronyCon moved to the larger Baltimore Convention Center, with attendance exceeding 8,000.{{cite news | url = https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/gwst/posts/33840 | title = WHAT'S SO FUNNY 'BOUT PEACE, LOVE, AND BRONYCON? | work = Baltimore City Paper | date =2013-08-07 | access-date = 2013-08-07 | first = Kate | last = Drabinski | via = University of Maryland, Baltimore County}} By 2015, BronyCon reached its peak attendance of over 10,000 guests, becoming the first brony convention to do so.{{cite tweet |user=BronyCon|number=630497767513849857|date=August 9, 2015|title=In case you missed it at closing ceremonies, #BronyCon 2015's final total for attendance was 10,011! The first pony con to hit five digits!|link=no}} The final BronyCon, held in 2019, attracted over 10,000 attendees.{{cite journal |last1=Reysen |first1=Stephen |last2=Plante |first2=Courtney N. |last3=Chadborn |first3=Daniel |title=Perceived Permeability of Group Boundaries as a Mediator Between Belonging to Multiple Fandoms and Loneliness |journal=Popular Culture Studies Journal |volume=10 |issue=1 |date=2022 |page=315}}

Other brony conventions include Everfree Northwest in Seattle, Washington,{{cite news | url = http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/08/my_little_pony_everfree_northwest.php | title = Beyond BronyCon: Inside the My Little Pony Convention, Everfree Northwest | work = SF Weekly | first = Sherilyn | last = Connelly | date = 2012-08-22 | access-date = 2012-09-17 }} Midwestria in Chicago, Illinois,{{cite news | url = http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/15124434-421/dressage-for-the-pony-set.html | title = Dressage for the 'Pony' set | first = Natalie | last = Hayes | date = 2012-09-14 | access-date = 2012-09-17 | work = Chicago Sun-Times | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113241/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/15124434-421/dressage-for-the-pony-set.html | archive-date = 2014-08-26 }} Canterlot Gardens in Cleveland, Ohio,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/andrew-w-k-to-speak-at-my-little-pony-convention-20120613 |title=Andrew W.K. to Speak at 'My Little Pony' Convention |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2012 |archive-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615184713/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/andrew-w-k-to-speak-at-my-little-pony-convention-20120613 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url= https://www.spin.com/2012/06/andrew-wk-brony-and-hes-speaking-my-little-pony-convention/ |title=Andrew W.K. Is a Brony, and He's Speaking at a My Little Pony Convention |first=Kory |last=Grow |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2012 |work=Spin}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/andrew-w-k-feels-the-love-at-my-little-pony-convention-20120929 |title=Andrew W.K. Feels the Love at 'My Little Pony' Convention |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 29, 2012 |access-date=September 29, 2012 |first=Kevin |last=Rutherford}} Equestria LA in Los Angeles,{{cite news | url = https://www.laweekly.com/equestria-l-a-southern-california-gets-its-own-brony-convention-for-my-little-pony-fans/ | title = Equestria L.A.: Southern California Gets Its Own Brony Convention, for My Little Pony Fans | first = Liz | last = Ohanesian | date = 2012-11-05 | access-date = 2011-11-05 | newspaper = LA Weekly }} BABSCon in Burlingame, California,{{cite news | url = http://thepioneeronline.com/23178/metro/my-little-brony-friendship-is-magic/ | title = My Little Brony: Friendship is magic | first = Kris | last = Stewart | date = 2014-11-20 | access-date = 2014-12-02 | publisher = The Pioneer }} Ponycon NY in the metropolitan New York City region,{{cite news | url = http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/06/my_little_pony_fans_flock_to_big_apple_ponycon_in_jersey_city.html | title = My Little Pony fans flock to Big Apple Ponycon in Jersey City | newspaper = The Jersey Journal | date = 2014-06-11 | access-date= 2014-08-24 |first = Summer Dawn | last = Hortillosa }}{{cite web | url = https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/ponys-mass-appeal-young-girls-bronies-share-mutual/story?id=29222313 | title = 'My Little Pony's' Mass Appeal: Young Girls, 'Bronies' Share Mutual Love for Cartoon | publisher = ABC News | work = Nightline | date = 2015-02-25 | access-date = 2015-02-25 | last1 = Wright |first1= David |last2= Louszko |first2= Ashley |last3= Effron |first3= Lauren }} BronyCAN in British Columbia, Canada,{{Cite news | url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bronies-invade-b-c-for-2nd-bronycan-my-little-pony-convention-1.2745384 | title = Bronies invade B.C. for 2nd BronyCAN My Little Pony convention | date = 2014-08-24 | access-date = 2014-08-24 | publisher = CBC }} GalaCon in Ludwigsburg, Germany,{{cite news|url=http://www.wtvy.com/news/morningshow/headlines/My-Little-Pony-Fans-Celebrate-Friendship-is-Magic-at-Germanys-GalaCon-218338501.html|title=My Little Pony Fans Celebrate Friendship Is Magic at Germany's GalaCon|last=Spoman|first=Sean|website=WTVY|date=2013-08-05|access-date=2014-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032701/http://www.wtvy.com/news/morningshow/headlines/My-Little-Pony-Fans-Celebrate-Friendship-is-Magic-at-Germanys-GalaCon-218338501.html/ |archive-date=2016-03-04}} BUCK in Manchester, United Kingdom,{{cite episode |title=Darren McMullen's Wild Side 1|series=Darren McMullen's Outsiders |network=National Geographic Australia |airdate=April 1, 2014}} PonyCon AU in Sydney, Australia,{{cite news | url = https://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/my-little-pony-gains-growing-legion-of-fans-from-left-field-20130405-2hbuz.html | title = My Little Pony gains growing legion of fans from left field | first = Damien | last = Murphy | date = 2013-04-05 | access-date = 2013-04-05 | work = Sydney Morning Herald }} Crystal Mountain Pony Con in Salt Lake City, Utah{{cite news | url = http://fox13now.com/2015/07/17/my-little-pony-convention-welcomes-800-bronies-to-downtown-slc/ | title = My Little Pony convention welcomes 800 bronies to downtown SLC | first = Max | last = Roth | date = 2015-07-17 | access-date = 2016-07-25}} and Pacific PonyCon in San Diego, California.{{cite news |last=Schroeder |first=Lauryn |date=10 January 2016 |title=My Little Pony fans invade San Diego |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jan/10/my-little-pony-fans-invade-san-diego/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |access-date=29 March 2016 }} Nearly a dozen brony conventions were planned in 2012.{{cite web | url = http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/my-little-pony-smackdown-girls-vs-bronies/ | title = My Little Pony Smackdown: Girls vs. Bronies | date = 2012-06-28 | access-date = 2012-06-28 | work = Collectors Weekly | first = Lisa | last = Hix }} In addition, established My Little Pony conventions prior to the Friendship Is Magic show, such as the My Little Pony Fair and UK PonyCon, saw increases in their numbers due to the attendance of bronies.{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2012/oct/05/my-little-pony-conference-nottingham | title = Men in tiaras join UK's biggest My Little Pony fans | work = The Guardian | date = 2012-10-05 | access-date = 2012-10-05 | first = Zoe | last = Williams | location=London}}{{cite web | url = https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150623/news/150629725/ | title = Constable: 'My Little Pony' convention corrals girls, collectors, Bronies | first = Burt | last = Constable | work = Daily Herald | date = 2015-06-23 | access-date = 2015-06-23 }}{{cite web | url = http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/September-2015/Bronies/ | title = Meet the Adult Men Who Worship My Little Pony | work = Chicago Magazine | first = Rod | last = O'Conner | date = 2015-08-19 | access-date = 2015-08-21 }} A long-running annual art show, the "My Little Pony Project", where artists re-imagine My Little Pony figurines and toys into works of art, also saw additional attendance and contributions from the brony community.{{cite news | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443675404578056772011970466 | title = An Evening of Horse Shoes and Pony Tales | work = The Wall Street Journal | date = 2012-10-14 | access-date = 2012-10-16 | first = Marshall | last = Heyman }}{{cite news | url = http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/10/what-my-little-pony-art-looks/57950/ | title = What 'My Little Pony' Art Looks Like | work = The Atlantic | date = 2012-10-15 | access-date = 2012-10-15 | first = Esther | last = Zuckerman | archive-date = October 20, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121020093351/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/10/what-my-little-pony-art-looks/57950/ | url-status = dead }}

Activities

= Schedule and programming =

File:BronyCon 2014 (14846423834).jpg 2014.]]

Typically spanning a weekend, pony conventions schedule activities from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon.BABSCon 2017 Conbook, pp. 12-22 Peak attendance tends to occur on Saturday. Some conventions offer discounted single-day admission options.{{cite web|url=https://2025.harmonycon.org/register/|title=HarmonyCon 2025 - Register|website=HarmonyCon|access-date=2025-04-14}}

Conventions frequently feature presentations, panels, workshops, lectures, Q&As, karaoke, and autograph signings as part of their schedule. Information about a specific con can be found on their website or in their con book (or conbook), an informational pamphlet or booklet typically distributed at the convention. Con books also include maps of the venue, vendor listings, and information about the guests of honor. They also often include codes of conduct, welcome letters from organizers, staff listings, and sponsor acknowledgements. If a charity is being supported by the convention, it is often listed there.{{cite book|url=https://2024.everfreenw.com/images/home/2024conbook.pdf|title=Everfree Northwest 2024|year=2024}}

= Music and concerts =

{{See also|Music of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom}}

File:BronyPalooza (48596249472).jpg during BronyCon 2019.]]

The brony music scene is considered unique in its enormous volume, spanning numerous genres including electronic dance music, rock, classical arrangements, and specialized fusion genres.{{cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Patrick |last2=Chadborn |first2=Daniel P. |last3=Plante |first3=Courtney N. |last4=Reysen |first4=Stephen |last5=Redden |first5=Marsha Howze |title=Meet the Bronies: The Psychology of the Adult My Little Pony Fandom |year=2019 |publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers |location=United States |isbn=9781476663715 |page=49-50 |date=September 11, 2019}} Fan-created music is a major part of My Little Pony fan conventions, with dedicated performance spaces and events that showcase the fandom's musical talent. Conventions often feature specialized music festivals with unique branding: for example, BronyCon hosted "BronyPalooza,"{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/feature/8-things/2015/08/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-bronycon-the-my.html|title=8 things you need to know about BronyCon, the 'My Little Pony' convention|website=Baltimore Business Journal|last=Meehan|first=Sarah}} while Everfree Northwest continues to present "Ponystock". Musicians from the fandom have organized charitable initiatives, such as the 2011 Smile album compilation which raised $21,000 for the Children's Cancer Association.

The crossover between the show's production team and fan musicians has occasionally been acknowledged by series staff. Show director Jayson Thiessen has remarked on the professional quality of fan productions,{{Cite news | url = http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/TV/2012/0320/Is-TV-paying-too-much-attention-to-fans | title = Is TV paying too much attention to fans? | work = The Christian Science Monitor | date =2012-03-20 | access-date = 2012-03-20 | first = James | last = Turner }} while composer Daniel Ingram has highlighted fan-created music through his online platforms.{{cite news | url = http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/music-brony-friendship-is-magic-my-little-pony/ | title = For brony musicians, 'Friendship Is Magic' serves as muse | work = The Daily Dot | first = Lauren Rae | last = Orsini | date = 2012-04-21 | access-date = 2012-04-21 }}

= Charity auctions =

Brony conventions tend to be non-profit organizations with a heavy focus on charity. Brony conventions have raised tens of thousands of dollars towards various charitable causes. In 2012, Everfree Northwest's charity auction raised $13,535 for the Seattle Children's Hospital. In 2015, BronyCon's charity auction raised $30,645 for CureSearch for Children's Cancer.{{cite book |last=Connelly |first=S. |title=Ponyville Confidential: The History and Culture of My Little Pony, 1981-2016 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E3VPDgAAQBAJ |year=2017 |publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers |isbn=9781476662091 |lccn=2016044897 }}

Charity auctions at brony conventions are viewed as competitive spectacles where bronies bid on rare merchandise like signed prints from voice actors, worn lanyards, and unique convention posters, with value determined by the money participants are willing to spend for exclusive ownership. According to Theo A. Peck-Suzuki writing in the journal Transformative Works and Cultures, these auctions function as "tournaments of value" that allow winners to distinguish themselves within the brony community and affirm their belonging.{{cite journal |last=Peck-Suzuki |first=Theo A. |title=Cuteness, friendship, and identity in the brony community |journal=Transformative Works and Cultures |issue=22 |year=2016 |doi=10.3983/twc.2016.0674 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3983/twc.2016.0674}}

List of conventions

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| image1 = My Little Pony Convention Attendance (2011–2023).png

| image2 = My Little Pony Convention Attendance excluding BronyCon (2011–2023).png

| footer = Reported attendance numbers at brony conventions from 2011 to 2023. Missing data points indicate no reported attendance figures or canceled events. The 2020-2021 period saw many cancellations due to COVID-19.

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= Active events =

{{furry-con-list-entry|name=TrotCon|place=Columbus, Ohio|country=United States|date=25–27 July 2025|description=|references=Founded in 2012 by members who had previously been involved in organizing anime conventions throughout Ohio, the first TrotCon was held at the Ohio State University's Union.{{cite web|title=Pony Party: Columbus convention offers inside look at adult fans of "My Little Pony"|last=Mantey|first=Jackie|website=Columbus Alive|access-date=2025-04-15|url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/entertainment/human-interest/2013/06/12/pony-party-columbus-convention-offers/22983997007/}}}}

{{furry-con-list-entry|name=Everfree Northwest|place=Bellevue, Washington|country=United States|date=22–24 August 2025|description=One of the longest-running and largest brony conventions in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.|references={{cite web|title='My Little Pony' Convention gallops into town|first=Sy|last=Bean|website=Seattle Refined|date=2017-05-13|access-date=2025-04-14|url=https://seattlerefined.com/lifestyle/photos-my-little-pony-invades-the-pnw?photo=1}}}}

{{furry-con-list-entry|name=UK PonyCon|place=Birmingham|country=United Kingdom|date=25–26 October 2025|description=UK pony con that existed before 2010, but subsequently saw massive increases in attendance due to the brony fandom.|references=}}

{{furry-con-list-entry|name=Ponyville Ciderfest|place=Milwaukee, Wisconsin|country=United States|date=TBA|description=Founded in 2014 and organized by Worthwhile Events NFP, Ponyville Ciderfest is a pony con in Milwaukee that attracts fans of My Little Pony for a weekend of panels, music events, vendor halls, and charity fundraising that has collected over $261,000 throughout its span.|references={{cite web|url=https://wisconsinlife.org/story/friendship-rainbows-bronies-my-little-pony-convention-comes-to-milwaukee/|title=Friendship, Rainbows & Bronies: My Little Pony Convention Comes To Milwaukee|last=Hess|first=Corrinne|date=December 11, 2019|website=Wisconsin Life|access-date=2025-04-15}}}}

= Discontinued events =

{{furry-con-list-entry|discontinued=1|name=BronyCon|place=Baltimore, Maryland|country=United States|date=1–4 August 2019|description=Founded in 2011 in New York City, BronyCon began as a small gathering of approximately 100 people. The convention experienced rapid growth, moving to Secaucus, New Jersey in 2012 before permanently relocating to the Baltimore Convention Center in 2013. BronyCon was the largest My Little Pony fan convention in the world, reaching a peak attendance of 10,215 at its final event in 2019. |references=}}

References

Category:My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom