What started as a small comic and trading card meet-up in the ‘90s has grown into New Zealand’s biggest pop-culture festival.

Armageddon Expo marks its 30th year this Labour Weekend with four days of gaming, fandom and celebrity guests at Auckland Showgrounds.

Organiser Bill Geradts says this year’s event is the most ambitious yet.

“It’s got the biggest lineup we’ve ever hosted and the biggest gaming displays since the pandemic,” he says.

“People are going to come and just have a blast.”

Running from Friday 24 October to Monday 27 October 2025, the anniversary show brings a stacked guest list including Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Billie Piper, Evangeline Lilly and John Boyega.

Anime and gaming stars such as Jim Cummings and Nolan North will also appear, alongside voice actor Mela Lee who’s performing her new album Stealing Moonlight live on Saturday.

Fans can dive into zones like the Battlefield 6 Helicopter experience, Marvel Rivals arena, and Nintendo Switch 2 preview area, plus join cosplay parades, panels and competitions all weekend.

For Hibiscus Coast fans, it’s a trip south for a dose of nostalgia and new tech in one.

The Geradts family has run every Armageddon since 1995, making it a true Kiwi success story.

As Adele Geradts puts it, “We’ve put our heart and soul into this. It feels like a celebration.”

Tickets are available now at armageddonexpo.com.

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