Happy New Year! A new year means planning new adventures! If you’re a television and film fan who is looking for some travel inspiration this year, here are a few suggestions. Keep in mind though that these events are extremely popular, so book your hotel as early as possible.
JUNE
Goonies: If you’re a fan of the 1985 cult classic movie, then book your three-day trip to Astoria, Oregon from June 4 to 7 for Goonies Day! You’ll celebrate the 35th anniversary of the movie with a variety of events. Visit the website for updated information, which wasn’t released when we went to press.
American Graffiti: Save the Dates for the 22nd Annual American Graffiti Festival & Car Show, from June 12 to 14. The 2019 show featured over 1700 registered vehicles from Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington States.
JULY
Harry Potter: It doesn’t matter what house you belong to, LeakyCon is for every Harry Potter fan (although it’s recommended for ages 11 and up). You will enjoy performances, panels and programs with other Potterheads. Orlando, Florida is the location for July’s LeakyCon, while Denver hosts the October LeakyCon. Passes range from $52 to $399.
AUGUST
I Love Lucy: If you’re a Lucy fan, you have to go to this festival at least once. The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, presented by the National Comedy Center, is an annual festival that takes place in Jamestown, NY. In 2020, it will be held from August 5 to 9, 2020. Here you can wrap chocolates, record a Vitameatavegamin commercial, and stomp grapes! Plus you’ll enjoy a bunch of great comedic performances. In the past, it included Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Lewis Black, Ray Romano, Ellen DeGeneres, Paula Poundstone, Joan Rivers, Bob Newhart, George Wallace, Billy Gardell, and many more. A tip: The hotels book up very quickly for this event, so consider booking as early as February or March if they will let you.
SEPTEMBER
Dirty Dancing: ‘Now I’ve had the time of my life,’ and you will too at the 11th Annual Dirty Dancing Festival, held on September 11 and 12 in Morse Park, Lake Lure, North Carolina. You will enjoy dance lessons, watermelon races, and an outdoor showing of the movie while you mix and mingle with other Dirty Dancing fans.
Andy Griffith Show: The Surry Arts Council presents Mayberry Days which celebrates The Andy Griffith Show. The event will be held in Mount Airy, North Carolina in late September 2020. Check the website for more information.
Forever Twilight: Forks, Washington will forever be the home of Twilight, and so to celebrate the love story that started it all, there’s a weekend festival every September. In 2020, it will be held from September 10 through the 13th. All of the details haven’t been released yet, so check out the website for more up-to-date information.
OCTOBER
Gilmore Girls: Before The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, producer Amy Sherman-Palladino created the extremely popular Gilmore Girls, which ran for seven years on both The CW and The WB. The Gilmore Girls Fan Fest will run from October 19 to 21, in Kent, Connecticut.
According to the website, “And, since three days of GGFF is rarely enough, we’re planning something special (and totally secret) somewhere in Connecticut following the main event. The secret event will take place in a location we may or may not share later, Monday-Wednesday following GGFF, October 19-21, 2020. This event will be a small, inclusive group of 250 people at most. The price will include your ticket to the event, your lodging, and all your meals. Follow us on social media for the details, we’ll share everything there!
