The festival of pop culture, comics, and games in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno
There's something magical about seeing cosplayers, board game enthusiasts, and comic collectors wander among the medieval palaces and travertine squares of Ascoli Piceno. This is exactly what happens with Ascoli Comics & Games, the event dedicated to pop culture that every year, in June, takes over the historic center of the Piceno capital. A widespread, free event open to everyone, which has carved out a prominent place among the nerd events in the Marche region.
The focal point of the event is Corso Trento e Trieste, where stands are set up for those seeking collectible comics, special editions, gadgets, and merchandise. But the event is truly widespread and involves some of the most evocative places in the city: the Palazzo dei Capitani in Piazza del Popolo, which also houses a Photo Set area for cosplayers, the historic Libreria Rinascita, and the Bottega del Terzo Settore. The squares and alleys of the center thus become a large open-air container where different generations meet.
The offering of Ascoli Comics & Games is extensive and designed for all ages. Comic enthusiasts can browse stands for rare and hard-to-find editions and participate in meetings with authors and illustrators. One of the most anticipated sections is dedicated to board games, with tournaments and open tables for anyone who wants to play, from beginners to experts. There is also an area dedicated to video games, including titles that are now difficult to find, and especially the great outdoor cosplay competition, which has helped make the event a reference point for costume play in the Marche region.
Ascoli Comics & Games is promoted by Experience Plus APS together with numerous local associations, including the historic Dimensionefumetto, and enjoys the support of city institutions and the Fondazione Carisap. It is an event deeply rooted in the associative fabric of Ascoli Piceno, the Province of Ascoli Piceno, and the Marche region: local artists and creatives exhibit and sell their works, while the historic center provides the ideal backdrop for a pop culture that finds its home here for a weekend.
For 2026, Ascoli Comics & Games returns to the historic center of Ascoli Piceno on June 13 and 14, organized by Experience Plus APS and in collaboration with historic associations like Dimensionefumetto. Admission remains free, and the event continues to be spread across the squares and palaces of the center, with areas dedicated to comics, board games, cartoons, cosplay, and video games.
Around thirty exhibitors are already confirmed. The detailed program, including guests, schedules, tournaments, and competitions, is traditionally announced in the weeks leading up to the event on the official channels.
The official dates for the 2026 edition are confirmed (Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14), while the detailed program with guests, authors, tournament schedules, and the cosplay competition will be announced in the weeks preceding the event on the official channels (Facebook and Instagram @ascolicomics).
Based on previous editions, the usual structure includes:
Free and widespread edition in the historic center, with approximately 30 confirmed exhibitors, an outdoor cosplay competition, and a large section dedicated to board games.
Historic center of Ascoli Piceno (AP), Marche. The heart of the event is along Corso Trento e Trieste; indoor venues are at the Palazzo dei Capitani (Piazza del Popolo), Libreria Rinascita, and Bottega del Terzo Settore.
A weekend in June. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Free entry to all areas and activities.
Email: [email protected] — Official Facebook page and Instagram profile (@ascolicomics).
Ascoli Piceno is reachable by car from the A14 highway (Ascoli Piceno - San Benedetto del Tronto exit) and the Ascoli-Mare expressway. The train station connects the city to the Adriatic coast. During the event, the historic center is largely pedestrianized: it is advisable to use the parking lots outside the city walls.
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Centro storico di Ascoli Piceno
Corso Trento e Trieste, 63100 Ascoli Piceno