Family’s Love of LEGO Brings BrickRealm Convention to Santa Clara

For years, William Garland and his family traveled across the country attending LEGO conventions, admiring elaborate creations and meeting the people who build them. Eventually, they began wondering why the San Francisco Bay Area couldn’t have a major LEGO fan convention of its own. This Halloween weekend, they’re bringing one to Santa Clara.

BrickRealm 2026, an independently organized LEGO fan convention presented by Brick Realm LLC, is making its debut in the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara. The four-day gathering began Thursday, October 29, with its public exhibition opening Saturday, October 31, and continuing through Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Preparations were underway Friday afternoon at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, where hotel staff confirmed to Bay Area News Network that the event was being set up. “My family and I came together realizing that the Bay Area needs a large LEGO event,” Garland, the convention’s director, told Bay Area News Network. The family hopes to establish BrickRealm as a gathering for the region’s LEGO enthusiasts, bringing together experienced builders, collectors, families and children discovering the hobby for the first time.

A 26-Foot Battleship and Thousands of LEGO Creations

The inaugural event is expected to occupy more than 23,000 square feet of exhibition space, with LEGO displays, vendors, activities and workshops. Among its largest attractions is a 26-foot-long LEGO model of the USS Missouri battleship, created by builder Dan Siskind.

Visitors can also explore a collection of vintage LEGO memorabilia that organizers say comes from a former chief scientist of the LEGO Group, offering a glimpse into the history of one of the world’s most recognizable toys. The convention features builders and special guests from across the country, including Mariann Asanuma and Ben Grayson.

Asanuma is a professional LEGO artist known for her custom creations and educational work through Model Building Secrets, while Grayson creates detailed custom LEGO models through Brickson Studio. Both guests will bring examples of their work to Santa Clara and participate in a special guest panel and other convention activities, Garland said. The gathering also includes a competition for exhibitors, with a $2,500 grand prize and a custom LEGO trophy awarded for the best exhibit in the show.

Halloween Fun for the Whole Family

Because the public exhibition falls on Halloween weekend, organizers are combining the LEGO convention with seasonal activities. Families can expect costume contests, candy, games, activities and prizes alongside the displays. Garland said the Halloween activities will also be offered Sunday, allowing families with other plans on Saturday to enjoy the attractions the following day.

The public exhibition is divided into timed admission blocks to help manage attendance and prevent overcrowding. Although the convention spans four days, the first two days are intended primarily for registered LEGO enthusiasts and exhibitors, while the public exhibition takes place Saturday and Sunday. BrickRealm is independently organized by Brick Realm LLC and is not affiliated with or officially recognized by the LEGO Group.

A Family’s Idea for a New Bay Area Tradition

For Garland and his family, the convention represents more than a weekend exhibition. After years of attending LEGO gatherings elsewhere, they wanted to create an event that Silicon Valley and Bay Area builders and families could enjoy closer to home.

The inaugural convention is an opportunity to bring those communities together, introduce newcomers to the hobby and lay the groundwork for future gatherings. Whether visitors come to admire a massive battleship, meet experienced builders or enjoy a Halloween outing with their children, BrickRealm’s organizers hope the weekend will mark the beginning of a new Bay Area tradition.

Planning Your Visit

BrickRealm’s public exhibition takes place Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, 2026, in the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 5101 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054. On Saturday, October 31, the first session runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the second session runs from 2 to 6 p.m., with admission priced at $25. On Sunday, November 1, the first session runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second session runs from 1 to 4 p.m., with admission priced at $20.

Children under four enter free, and tickets will be available online and at the door, organizers said. For additional information and advance tickets, visit the official BrickRealm website at BrickRealmExpo.com.