Participating in LEGO conventions is a great way to experience the wonderful LEGO creations teen and adult LEGO fans are building, and to interact with others in the hobby. There are a number of very large LEGO conventions around North America, including BrickCon in Seattle, the BrickFair events held on the East Coast, and BrickWorld in Chicago. The next upcoming event is Bricks-by-the-Bay held at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California, at the beginning of August. This is one of the largest LEGO conventions in the Western U.S., and the premier annual display of LEGO brick creations in Northern California. If you are planning to be in California at that time, make sure you don’t miss it! You can find the full press-release with all the details below. 🙂
The Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara will once again be the site of Bricks-by-the-Bay, the largest annual gathering of LEGO enthusiasts in Northern California and one of the largest LEGO fan conventions in the country. The convention will run from August 3rd through August 6th, with a Public Exhibition to be held on the last day of the convention on Sunday, August 6th.
This eighth annual convention will feature over 33,000 square feet of convention hall space with original LEGO artwork, models, and machines, many built on an awe-inspiring scale. Bricks-by-the-Bay is a four-day long celebration of all things LEGO, where hobbyists, artists, fans, and enthusiasts come together to learn, share and play.
Convention attendees bring their wonderful LEGO brick creations to display. Attendees gather for brick building seminars, LEGO themed fun and games, and to hear from luminaries and ambassadors of LEGO brick building. On the last day of the convention, the public is invited to attend and see all the attendee built LEGO exhibits.
“Bricks-by-the-Bay continues to thrive and has become an annual ‘must do’ for many families from the Bay Area and beyond, whether they attend the multi-day convention or just come to see the amazing displays on a public day,” says Bricks-by-the-Bay spokesperson Patty Sherin.
Bricks-by-the-Bay is proud to announce its newly renovated convention website at BricksbytheBay.com. The website features a program of convention events and activities as well as online registration for convention attendees. Tickets to the Public Exhibition will also be available for purchase online. Admission to the Public Exhibition also grants entry to Bricks-by-the-Bay’s vendor hall full of LEGO products and unique LEGO related accessories for sale.
Bricks-by-the-Bay expects attendees from all around the country and the world who will be showcasing all manner of cool and exciting LEGO creations. The 2017 Bricks-by-the-Bay convention theme is California Dreamin’. Whether it is brick-built models of famous California landmarks or other inspired builds that invoke the spirit and history of the Golden State, the attendees’ creations are sure to inspire.
If you are a dedicated LEGO fan, I highly recommend going on convention days, as there will be all kinds of interesting workshops, games, presentations and more that you can participate in. It is a great way to meet other LEGO fans, challenge your building skills, and learn many new things related to the hobby. As it is mentioned in the press-release above, the convention days are August 3-5. You can read the full schedule, where to stay (if you are from out of town), ticket prices and options, what to do if you would like to display your own LEGO creations, and a lot more information at BricksbytheBay.com.
And if you just want to go on the public day, you can visit Bricks-by-the-Bay on Sunday, August 6, from 10 AM until 4 PM. Guests can view the hundreds of original LEGO creations on display from a variety of themes, and meet the creators. There will also be vendors who sell LEGO sets, custom items, LEGO-related gifts and more. All ages are welcome. General admission for the public day is $20 per person at the door. Early bird and VIP rates are also available. Learn more at BricksbytheBay.com.
I know several of our readers visit Bricks-by-the-Bay and other LEGO conventions every year, so if you would like to share your own experiences and some tips and tricks that can be helpful to first-timers, feel free to add them at the comment section below. And if you have any questions, comments, concerns, you can add those as well. 😉
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I would love to go to one of these ,but, the transportation is the problem . However, if I keep going the way I’m going with my collecting I will have my very own LEGO Convention.
LOL! If you are interested to display some of your collection, local libraries are very happy to host an event for you. It could either be something like a one day or weekend event, where you are present, or they also often have locked display cabinets to display the work of LEGO fans (and other art that they regularly rotate). 🙂
This will be my first time attending a Lego convention. Really looking forward to seeing what creations will be displayed. And I’m hoping to pick up the Creator Fire Brigade set. I got into the creator line just after this set retired and I’d really like to add it to my growing city. Any advice?
Melanie, I also got into the Modulars after the Fire Brigade retired. I posted on the BrickLink forum that I was looking for one that’s not too expensive. A lady responded that she has one and she just happened to be driving through my town from out of state to visit friends. So I got a really good deal and didn’t have to pay for shipping. The point is that just put your wishes out there on forums and social media sites. Your Fire Brigade will come. Oh, and have fun at BBTB! I’m certain you will really enjoy it. 🙂
BBTB was my first Lego convention. I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was great! I paid the extra price to get into the vendor area early. The amount of vendors and sheer volume of Lego available for purchase was overwhelming at first. I found my Fire Brigade set for the price I wanted. Yay! And I picked up the Dr. Who set that I’d meant to buy but could never get my hands on. The exhibition hall was fantastic. Such creative people. Loved the robotic builds. It was all very inspiring and just plain fun!
Oh, you found the Fire Brigade! Awesome! And yes, you could basically just spend the entire day at the vendors’ area. There is so much to see! And yes the exhibits are awesome too. I’m glad you were able to go and experience it all first hand. Now you know what to expect next time! 😀
You say that bricks-by-the-bay is the next upcoming event. That is not true. BBtB starts August 3rd, The next Brickfair starts August 2nd.
Oh, yes, good point! 😀