Metropolis, Illinois, the official Home of Superman, is ready for its biggest weekend of the year. The 2026 Superman Celebration takes place June 12-14, bringing together Superman fans from around the world for three days of celebrity guests, panels, entertainment, cosplay, family activities and unforgettable experiences honoring the legacy of the Man of Steel.
Now in its 48th year, the Celebration has become an internationally recognized tourism event. The real-life Metropolis, with a population of around 6,500 residents, welcomes approximately 30,000 people over the course of the celebration.
This year’s celebrity lineup features a mix of animated and live-action Superman alumni. Tim Daly, best known to Superman fans as the voice of Superman and Clark Kent in “Superman: The Animated Series,” will appear June 12 and 13. Neva Howell, who played Martha Kent in James Gunn’s 2025 “Superman” film, will also be on hand for both days. Caity Lotz, who played Sara Lance in “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” joins the lineup on Saturday, June 13. Also appearing Saturday is Alex Garfin, who portrayed Jordan Kent in “Superman & Lois.”
One of the weekend’s most anticipated moments comes Friday night. Billed as “The Sequel!,” the drone show will be presented by SkyGlow Drones on Friday, June 12, at 9 p.m. Using a fleet of coordinated drones equipped with vibrant LED lights, the nighttime spectacle will transform the sky above Metropolis into a living canvas of Superman-inspired imagery. The show made its debut at the 2025 celebration to a strong crowd reaction.
A carnival is also returning to the downtown area along Metropolis Street and 4th Street for the first time after a multi-year absence, operating Thursday, June 11 through Sunday, June 14. Operated by Amusement Attractions Inc., the midway will feature attractions for a wide range of ages alongside traditional games and food concessions.
The Metropolis Super Con, a privately operated comic convention at 715 Market Street, runs concurrently on Friday, June 12, with free admission. The broader celebration at Superman Square, 607 Market St., is also free and open to the public.
The event is organized by the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce, the City of Metropolis and the Greater Metropolis Convention & Visitors Bureau. More information is available at supermancelebration.net or by calling the chamber at (618) 524-2714.
