You guide to LIBCON West in Glendale: Arizona’s final geek event of 2024

LIBCON West may not be Arizona’s largest geek extravaganza, but the afternoon-long event every December at the Glendale Public Library packs a punch. With 60 vendors and 10 hours of programming, it makes up for its modest size with abundant nerdiness and plenty of heart.

This year’s edition of LIBCON West on Saturday at the Glendale Main Library is no exception.

According to administrative librarian Merideth Jenson-Benjamin, LIBCON West celebrates a variety of fandoms from authors and gaming to cosplay and anime.

“It started eight years ago focusing on just comics and we’ve expanded to include science fiction, fantasy, horror and just kind of everything that falls under the geek umbrella,” Jenson-Benjamin says.

LIBCON West 2024 will feature panels by Arizona authors like Tabatha Shipley and Brent Miller, choreographed lightsaber combat from Syndicate Saber United, a “Super Smash Bros.” tournament and dozens of cosplayers and vendors.

“It’s an event to bring the community together for a celebration of everything geeky,” Jenson-Benjamin says.

What else is planned for LIBCON West 2024 on Saturday? Here’s a complete guide to the event.

When and where is LIBCON West 2024?

LIBCON West 2024 is on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St. in Glendale.

What time is LIBCON West?

The official hours are from noon to 5 p.m.

How much is admission?

LIBCON West is free to attend.

Are there age limits?

LIBCON West is a family-friendly event that’s open to all ages.

Parking at Glendale Main Library

Free parking is available in Glendale Main Library is free with more than 100 spaces available. Additional free parking is offered at the Glendale Parks and Recreation complex, 5970 W. Brown St. in Glendale.

What to eat and drink

Local food truck Taqueria El Sol will sell tacos, quesadillas, tortas and burritos outside of the library.

Vendors

As you’d expect, LIBCON West will host vendors of a geeky variety. The Glendale Public Library’s website lists 60 local businesses, artists and groups with tables and tents at the event.

The selection is as varied as it is enormous and includes craftspeople (Dragon & Wolf Designs, Catseye Curiosities, Naked Sheep Knits), retailers (Evil Izzy’s Haunted Emporium, Onyx Oasis Bookstore), authors (Tabatha Shipley, Brent Miller), illustrators and comic artists (Jeff Ellison) and more.

LIBCON West 2024 programming

Panels and performances will take place at LIBCON West throughout the afternoon, including author events and entertainment by the pirates of The Dread Fleet and “Star Wars” lightsaber combat group Syndicate Saber United. Here’s the complete rundown:

• “Characters Assemble! Crews, Teams, and Found Families” with authors Tabatha Shipley, Brent Miller, Avily Jerome, Kat Satava and Tiffany Meuret. Noon, Large Meeting Room.
• “From Cozy to Creepy: Solving the Mystery Genre” with authors Janeen O’Kerry, Brent Miller, Avily Jerome and Jack Mangan. 1 p.m., Large Meeting Room.
• The Dread Fleet: “Set Sail with the Dread Fleet.” 1 p.m., Auditorium.
• “Genre Blender: Blending Tropes and Themes Across Genres” with authors Janeen O’Kerry, Tiffany Meuret, Double-Blind, Kate Dunn and Tabatha Shipley, 1 p.m., Large Meeting Room.
• Super Smash Bros. tournament hosted by AZ Umbrella Hive, 2 p.m., Creative Space.
• Syndicate Saber: “A Choice Between Light and Dark.” 2 p.m., Auditorium.
• “We’ve Got You Covered! Publishing, Formatting and Cover Art” with Avily Jerome, Janeen O’Kerry, DJ Dimension, Kat Satava and Jack Mangan. 3 p.m., Large Meeting Room.
• Idol Performance featuring Abby Hagman. 3 p.m., Auditorium.
• Syndicate Saber Presents: “The Way of the Saber.” 4 p.m., North Lawn.
• The Dread Fleet: “Pirates Invade!” 4 p.m., Auditorium.

Cosplay

Costumes and cosplayers are welcome at LIBCON West. Professional cosplayers like AmberSkies and local costuming groups like Arizona Autobots and United Federation of Phoenix are set to appear at the event. Here’s the complete list of cosplayer guests:

• Adrian Empire – Kingdom of Umbria
• AmberSkies Creations
• Arizona Autobots
• Art of Magic and Mischief
• Dread Fleet
• Faerie Arizona Enclave
• 501st Legion: Dune Sea Garrison
• Fossil Fan
• 405th Halo Infantry Division
• Heroes United AZ
• Jinx Cosplay
• Justice League Arizona
• Marshall, Carter and Darke of AZ
• Momo Karinyo Cosplay
• NAR: New Arizona Republic Cosplay Group
• NightCove theFox
• Rebel Legion Mos Eisley Base
• slushycosplay
• Southwest Costumers Guild
• Syndicate Saber United
• ThermoAZ
• Theshopkinsqueen
• Umbrella Corporation Arizona Hive
• United Federation of Phoenix

Jenson-Benjamin says cosplayers should refrain from bringing actual weapons or risque costumes, though.

“We want it to be a safe space for everyone, so don’t bring any actual weaponry. Keep it to props,” she says. “This is an all-ages event, so any costumes should be family-friendly.”