Get ready to party like it’s Second Breakfast, because The Lord of the Rings is turning 25 and the Hobbits are headed to Philly.
In 2026, The Lord of the Rings celebrates its 25th anniversary. To mark the milestone, four of the Shire’s finest are reuniting for a one-of-a-kind live show that brings the joy, the stories, and probably a whole bunch of inside jokes to just 11 cities across North America. Yes, Philadelphia is officially one of them.
“An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years” will hit FAN EXPO Philadelphia from May 29 to 31, 2026, featuring the legendary Hobbit foursome: Sean Astin (Sam), Billy Boyd (Pippin), Dominic Monaghan (Merry), and Elijah Wood (Frodo). They’ll be live on stage, sharing memories, mayhem, and Middle-earth magic.
This isn’t your typical con panel. It’s part variety show, part behind-the-scenes storytelling, and all Hobbit-level good vibes. Expect laughs, surprises, heartfelt moments, and enough nostalgia to make even Sauron crack a smile.
As Elijah Wood said recently, “It still feels like the films are really present. It’s such a massive, continual part of our lives.” If you’ve ever seen the four of them together at a con, you know the chemistry is unreal. It’s that chaotic Hobbit energy that hits your heart and your funny bone at the same time.
Tickets go on sale October 22 at 10 AM ET at fanexpophiladelphia.com. You’ll need FAN EXPO Philly admission too, so plan accordingly. VIP experiences, autograph and photo op packages, exclusive merch, and some teased surprise programming are all part of the journey.
Honestly? This one’s going to sell out faster than pints at The Green Dragon. Whether you’re a lifelong Tolkien nerd or just looking for a little joy in 2026, mark your calendar and get your lembas ready. Philly’s going to Middle-earth.
First and foremost, Kev is a dad to three wonderful children. He’s also an uber Kevin Smith fan (all Smith’s movies are worth a watch, even Yoga Hosers) who has cried during Kermit’s monologue in The Muppets and once owned two VHS copies of Spice World. He loves all pop culture, particularly the MCU and Star Wars. The Evil Dead franchise is his favorite horror franchise, though the original Scream is his favorite scary movie. He bleeds Eagle’s green in the (suburbs of the) greatest city on Earth, Philadelphia. Go Birds!