Suit Up for CON-Quest!

If your ideal weekend includes a little time travel, a few superheroes, and at least one person in a cape holding a latte, clear your calendar! DTL CON-Quest is back, and it’s bringing a full spectrum of fandom to downtown Lawrenceville just as spring hits its stride.

Set for May 1-2 at the Lawrenceville Arts Center and spilling out across the Lawrenceville Lawn, this free, two-day celebration has grown well beyond its Free Comic Book Day roots. What started as a single-day comic giveaway now feels more like a citywide pop culture takeover, with the kind of energy that turns casual curiosity into a full-on afternoon adventure.

A Weekend Built for Wandering

Part of the fun is that there’s no single way to “do” CON-Quest. You can map it out, or just follow the sound of laughter and lightsabers.

Here is what you will find woven throughout The DTL:

• Panels and workshops featuring artists, writers, and creators who know their way around a good origin story 
• Cosplay contests where the creativity is as impressive as the craftsmanship 
• Comic hunts scattered through downtown that feel a little like a treasure hunt with a superhero twist 
• Vendor booths packed with prints, collectibles, and one-of-a-kind finds 
• Free comics that still carry that simple, unbeatable thrill 

It’s the kind of event where kids show up wide-eyed and adults quietly admit they have been waiting all year for this. Sci-fi fans, fantasy lovers, graphic novel collectors, and the just-curious all end up in the same place, swapping recommendations and comparing costumes like old friends.

The timing does not hurt either. Friday evening eases you in with a little after-hours buzz, then Saturday opens up into a full day that invites you to linger. Grab a coffee, wander a few blocks, pop into a panel, and circle back for the cosplay finals. When you’re ready for a break, downtown’s restaurants and patios are right there, making it easy to turn a few hours into an all-day hang.

DTL CON-Quest isn’t just an event; it’s a reminder that Gwinnett knows how to have fun in its own way, blending creativity, community, and just enough quirk to keep things interesting.

For more local events and can’t-miss festivals, check out the Guide to Gwinnett directory: https://www.guidetogwinnett.com/festivals.