Thousands of K-pop fans are headed to downtown Los Angeles this weekend for KCON, a three-day festival celebrating Korean pop culture through concerts, fan events and exhibitions.

This weekend marks the 13th iteration of KCON. Since its founding in 2012, the festival has drawn millions of fans to Los Angeles each year, solidifying the city’s role as the event’s longtime home. 

“KCON has grown into a global phenomenon, and no city embraces it quite like LA,” Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky said.

The three-day event is scheduled for Aug. 1-3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena. Each day includes a full convention with panels, workshops and interactive experiences, followed by nightly concerts.

The festival will feature five different stages, including its newest X stage that will showcase up-and-coming K-pop artists. The festival is known for hosting BTS in one of their earliest U.S. appearances.

On Friday, the City Council declared Aug. 1 as “KCON Day” in honor of the economic and cultural impacts of the festival and the global K-pop movement.

In 2024, more than 5.9 million fans from more than 170 countries took part in the celebration in Los Angeles. Officials say they expect even higher attendance this year.

“The economic impact of KCON and the global K-pop movement cannot be overstated,” Councilmember Curren Price said. “It’s a cultural exchange – an economic driver and a cultural reflection of Los Angeles’ international reach.”

Doane Liu, executive director of the city’s Tourism Department, said KCON stands out because it returns to Los Angeles every year, unlike most major conventions that rotate locations.

“We look forward to hosting KCON every year in the future too, and we’re working very closely with KCON to make sure that’s in ink,” Liu added.

Consulate General Kim Young Wan of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles joined council members and KCON organizers for Friday’s presentation announcing the dedication.

“Your recognition of KCON has special meaning, not only to Koreans and to Angelenos, but also worldwide fans of all ages and all different backgrounds and all ethnicities,” Young Wan said.

KCON has grown from 10,000 attendees in Anaheim at its inaugural year to reaching over 5.9 million fans across 170+ countries through in-person and digital platforms in 2024.