San Diego Comic Con returns next week with tons of The Lord of the Rings related fun! TheOneRing.net will be holding court at Booth 1934 near door C.
All the Tolkien related Panels
Amazon Prime Studios is bringing Season 3 of Rings of Power to Hall H on Friday, with a few other fun LOTR related panels from the fan community. Add them to your favorites on the official SDCC app.
Bringing Licensing to Tabletop Games w/ Asmodee – Thursday 11:00am LINK
Bear McCreary, Musical Worldbuilding – Thursday 11:45am LINK
Building Worlds: Creatures & Ecosystems w/ Weta Workshop – Thursday 1:00pm LINK
Building Worlds like Tolkien w/ Don Marshall – Thursday 4:00pm LINK
The Rings of Power Season 3 in Hall H – Friday, 10:00am LINK
Women Powering Pop Culture w/ Helen Shang – Friday 3:00pm LINK
Psychological Journey of The Lord of the Rings w/ Todd Stashwick – Friday 8:30pm LINK
Designing Games in Middle-earth w/ Asmodee – Saturday, 2:45pm LINK
TORN presents LOTR: New Age of Adaptations – Sunday, 2:15pm LINK
We are excited to bring a “State of The Rings” panel on Sunday with fan reactions from the Rings of Power SDCC reveal, updates from The Hunt for Gollum currently filming in NZ, previews of The Hobbit MTG cards, and who know what special guests may join!
Getting into Hall H is always a fun romp, and many fans are already organizing line ups & camp outs Thursday afternoon to be first in line for The Rings of Power Season 3 Hall H preview. It’s all happening in the TORN Discord channel for conventions – check the pinned comments for links.
Signings
TheOneRing.net Booth 1934 is hosting a few signings! First up is a small detour to the Weta Workshop booth 3613 where author Kellie Rice (aka TORn staffer and Happy Hobbit Kili) will be joined by Sir Richard Taylor to sign copies of the hardcover Middle-earth Script to Screen book, Wednesday Preview Night at 8pm.
ALL WEEKEND – Artist & founder of Kings Wild cards, Jackson Robinson, will be at the TORN booth with an EXCLUSIVE Tom Bombadil art print he will sign upon request. Details to get free poster below.
We’re very excited that Bear McCrearywill be joining us on Friday, to sign some recordings! He won’t be at the booth for very long – so if you want to be SURE to have a chance to meet him, here’s what you need to do:
Come to our booth any time before Friday 12.30 and purchase one of Bear’s recordings (The Singularity and/or Rings of Power soundtrack). We’ll give the first 50 purchasers a special ticket; then on Friday those 50 folks – with their tickets in hand! – will make one line to meet Bear. Anyone who doesn’t have a ticket will get in another line, and will meet Bear (time permitting) after the first 50 have gone through. So to GUARANTEE you’ll get to meet Bear, come and purchase some vinyl (or a CD) from us! (Also pro-tip: once you’ve bought it, leave the contents safely in the cool of your hotel room, and just bring the cover to the signing!) Maximum three items per person to be signed.
Signings
Richard Taylor & K.M. Rice – Wednesday 8pm – Weta booth 3613 – Script to Screen books available (highly limited)
Bear McCreary – Friday, 12:30pm – TORN booth 1934 – Rings of Power S2 soundtrack vinyls + CDs and Singularity vinyls available for purchase
Richard Taylor & K.M. Rice – Sunday 9am – Weta booth 3613 – Script to Screen books (if not already sold out)
Tea with Tolkien – Sunday 11am – TORN booth 1934 – Into the Heart of Middle-earth book available + free goodies
Other LOTR related signings we aren’t affiliated with but sound fun:
Unlike recent years, Jed Brophy will not be attending SDCC this year (does this mean he’s busy being a working actor on a certain new movie…?)
Offsites & Parties
There are currently no Rings of Power or The Lord of the Rings events open to the public which have been announced – of course we’ll let you know if we hear of any! But Guillermo del Toro is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Pan’s Labyrinth with a Friday night party that requires completion of a scavenger hunt to get in.
Comic Con 2026 EXCLUSIVE Limited Edition Prancing Pony Mug
It comes in pints! TheOneRing.net is proud to offer the official Prancing Pony wooden tankard & shot glass bundle. Designed & manufactured by Burgschneider and Lumengrave with full licensed support from Middle-earth Enterprises, these were the most requested items from last year’s incredible Prancing Pony booth experience.
These food safe drinking cups are hobbit-scaled – large enought to make you feel like a halfling. Made from mango wood, natural food safe polish, genuine leather bands, with a pure jute bag for storage, the tankard measures 6″ tall, capable of holding 27 oz of libations. It pairs with an oversized 7oz shot glass, featuring laser etched dwarves runes encircling the Prancing Pony logo -which was designed by Daniel Falconer. Did we mention these are officially licensed?
SDCC 2026 Exclusive Mug & Glass Set
Due to the very limited run of only 500 units, and to give all attendees the opportunity to get it, the Tankard & Glass combo is up for pre-order online. FOR PICKUP ONLY AT SDCC. We are not shipping these. Select the day you’ll be at SDCC, and we will hold one set guaranteed for you at Booth 1934. AND if you pre-order, you get an exclusive pin, only available as part of the pre-order, at no extra cost! LINK
Exclusive LOTR Merch
We have some incredible new merch available at booth 1934 this year! Following up on the love & support fans gave our Prancing Pony Club shirt last year (nominated for best merch 2025!) we are happy to announce that shirt is coming back this year, complete with glitter ink, women’s cuts, and the same dance hall attitude.
SDCC Unofficial Blog got the scoop on our brand new shirt inspired by one of the greatest albums in rock history – introducing Merry Dol, River-daughter! These artist designed & hand silkscreened shirts will be available in both unisex Bella Canvas premium cotton/poly blend and in Women’s dolman scoop neck. The RUMORS are true: there will be an 🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨 Preview Night limited edition variant, only available Wednesday night, featuring the classic tan-colored album artwork in black & white.
Jackson Robinson and Kings Wild are joining us IN PERSON in the booth for the first time, bringing their successful $2 million kickstarter LOTR playing cards with lots of extra goodies. Available EXCLUSIVELY at TORn booth 1934 are these letterpress gold foil original art prints of the Tom Bombadil playing card artwork. Jackson is at the booth all weekend to sign these free prints – available by simply signing up to his anticipated Hobbit playing card deck preview list. Details on site at the booth.
… and more The Lord of the Rings stuff we love at SDCC
Middle-earth Enterprises is bringing the oversized hobbit-scaled Prancing Pony experience back to the convention floor at Dark Horse booth 2615 – don’t miss it!
Acclaimed artist SHAG is offering a LOTR inspired SDCC exclusive art print at his booth 3920
Weta Workshop return to the show floor, right in front of Hall E at booth 3613
There also seems to be a scavenger hunt involved with the cryptic LOTR.com... What could it be, precioussss…?
Can’t wait to see folks there! Now for a merry meeting!
The scent of Sweet Annie is is a blend of herbal greens, subtle spice, and something reminiscent of the pages of a dusty old tome. I imagine it’s the type of plant hobbit women have long grown, dried, and tucked into their drawers as sachets to scent their clothing. It is also excellent as part of a dried flower arrangement or wreath. If these ideas have tempted you but you fear you don’t have a green thumb, then let me reassure you: Sweet Annie is a hardy, carefree annual that is very easy to grow!
Just a small container has abundant uses all year long. Join me in the video below as I grow Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua) from seed, harvest fragrant bundles at the end of summer, and dry them for the autumn hobbit hole. I’ll share tips for planting, caring for Sweet Annie, harvesting at the right time, drying stems, and a bit about my health journey last year (2025).
Click on the video below to watch, and keep scrolling for a growing guide! For a printer-friendly PDF version, click here.
Sweet Annie Growing Guide
Just a small container of this easy-to-grow annual has abundant uses all year long. For reference, I started mine in May and I live in USDA gardening zone 9 (or 7 depending on where I am planting).
Sowing
Prepare a container or garden bed in an area that will get full sun exposure. There is no real need to add amendments to the soil as Sweet Annie is hardy and not super hungry.
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date or
Start outside after all danger of frost has passed.
The seeds need light to germinate, so even the surface of the soil then scatter them on top.
Water in the seeds and place a mesh protector over if desired.
Growing
Full sun
Well-drained soil
Germination time: 10-20 days (but I saw some growth at day 5!)
Space 18–24 inches apart (thin seedlings when they are 3-4 inches tall). I obviously didn’t do this.
Harvesting
Cut stems just as the little yellow flower buds are starting to open. For me, this was in August.
Gather the stems and arrange in small bundles
Drying
Hang upside down in a warm, airy place
Keep out of direct sunlight
Uses
Fragrant dried bouquets
Wreaths and garlands
Sachets for your drawers
Tucked into cupboards and seasonal displays
Yuletide gifts!
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 13+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
Get even more slow-living hobbit content by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram,Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a simple ingredient and turning it into something richer, more lasting and versatile. Recently, I found myself with a bottle of apple juice no one in our hobbit hole was particularly interested in drinking. Rather than let it go to waste (after all, I am no Sackville-Baggins!); I decided to try a simple kitchen experiment—one that felt like an age-old halfling trick.
The result was boiled cider: a thick, amber syrup made by slowly reducing apple juice until its flavor becomes concentrated and complex. It’s simple to make, requires no special ingredients, and fills the kitchen with the scent of autumn while it simmers, no matter the season. Even more, it lasts for months in the fridge and can be used for so many things!
Click on the video below to watch me make it, and keep scrolling for the recipe!
Note: For a printer-friendly version of this recipe for you to tuck away in your hobbit kitchen, click here.
Boiled Apple Cider
Ingredients
Apple Juice (preferably unfiltered and organic, if possible)
Instructions
Pour your apple juice into a wide, heavy-bottomed pot.
Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat (in my case, I had to keep it on low)
Let it cook slowly for several hours, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the bubbles to make sure they don’t get too big (we don’t want to boil the juice) and watch the line left behind on the rim of the pan to keep track of how much it is reducing.
As it reduces, you’ll notice the color deepen and the aroma grow richer. Yum!
Continue simmering until the liquid thickens into a syrup-like consistency (it should coat the back of a spoon). At this point, you want to remain nearby to check every 10-15 minutes so that it doesn’t scorch. If you watched me do this in the video, know that I probably could have let it continue to reduce just a tiny bit more.
Pour into a jar, seal, and allow to cool on the counter. Store in the refrigerator for several months.
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 13+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
Get even more slow-living hobbit content by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram,Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
You’ll recall that in late March we brought you the news that Burgschneider and Middle-earth Enterprises’ – combining to create Middle-earth Adventures – immersive Shire experience will come to the UK this year. Tickets are on sale now!
Last year’s inaugural event in Kentucky was attended by TORn staffers Madeye Gamgee and Happy Hobbit Kili, who had a fantastic time. The US Brandywine Festival will again take place in October (and tickets for that event are already getting close to selling out). The UK version will be September 9-13, and will be held at Weston Park in Staffordshire.
Temple Wood at Weston Park
Weston Park – an ideal location
Markus Böhm, CEO of Burgschneider, remarked, ‘At Weston Park, we are stepping into a landscape that echoes the very soul of Tolkien’s work.’ A large part of Tolkien’s childhood was spent in the Birmingham area, perhaps most famously in Sarehole (which was then Worcestershire countryside, not yet swallowed up by the expanding city). Telford, near which the 17th century estate of Weston Park is located, is not far away, on the other side of Birmingham – offering scenery which is similar to the bucolic terrain Tolkien loved as a child.
Tiered price ticket sales
The first 400 tickets for the British event will be sold at the lowest price. Each subsequent batch of 400 tickets released will go up in price; so it’s a good idea to secure your ticket as early as possible!
Magic by the campfire in Kentucky
Middle-earth Adventures state that their goal is ‘To create the world’s most meaningful Middle-earth inspired experiences — events that don’t just entertain, but genuinely transform the people who attend them.’
Want to disappear into the English countryside for a while, don the guise of a Hobbit, and revel with like-minded folks? Get your tickets now, before the price increases!
About Burgschneider
Burgschneider is a leading designer and manufacturer of medieval and fantasy costumes, known for its dedication to authenticity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. As the organizer of ConQuest of Mythodea—the world’s largest live action roleplaying (LARP) event—Burgschneider brings extensive expertise in creating and coordinating immersive experiences. From historical reenactments to large-scale LARP events, Burgschneider costumes empower enthusiasts to fully step into their favorite historical and fictional worlds.
About Middle-earth Enterprises
Middle-earth Enterprises owns exclusive worldwide rights to motion picture, merchandise, live stage and services inspired by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, by J.R.R. Tolkien. We have produced and licensed goods based upon these four books, for a half century. Inspired by our deep appreciation for the fictional world created by Professor Tolkien, we are dedicated to working with those developing highest quality creations inspired by the lore, in accordance with state-of-the-art green business and sustainability practices; including fair trade, equality in the workplace, and a deep commitment to protect our Earth, its wondrous beauty, and the viability of every living creature. As Middle-earth’s stewards and custodians, our goal is to consistently deliver a wealth of great content in both new and known formats; to ensure Middle-earth’s rightful place as the world’s leading fantasy IP & brand, forever. Visit us at www.middleearth.com for details.
Following on from their immersive Middle-earth experience created in Kentucky last year, our good friends at Burgschneider have given us the opportunity to break this exciting news: the Brandywine Festival will come to the UK this Autumn!
Burgschneider’s LARP events are known for their incredible attention to detail, allowing attendees to get as close as possible to spending a long weekend living in the Shire. (You can read how much TORn staffer Kili aka Happy Hobbit enjoyed attending, here.) And where better to place the Shire than the very land of Shires, England? Here’s what the official press release tells us:
Concept art for the festival
Bringing The Shire Home: Burgschneider Announces The Brandywine Festival’s UK Debut at Weston Park in 2026
FRANKFURT AM MAIN – Coming to the doorstep of Tolkien’s childhood home, The Brandywine Festival is officially arriving in the United Kingdom. Following a successful U.S. debut, Burgschneider, in collaboration with Middle-earth Enterprises, is excited to bring The Shire to life once more at Staffordshire’s Weston Park in September 2026.
The expansion follows the success of the first annual Brandywine Festival in October 2025. Held in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, the 5-day, 4-night Live Action Roleplaying (LARP) event drew fans from across the country. Now, the festival will be within an hour’s drive of Birmingham, J.R.R. Tolkien’s childhood home and the very landscapes that inspired its setting.
“We are incredibly honored to bring The Brandywine Festival back to the land where the story took flight,” said Markus Böhm, CEO of Burgschneider. “After the success in Kentucky, it felt only right to bring this experience home. At Weston Park, we are stepping into a landscape that echoes the very soul of Tolkien’s work.”
An Historic Setting
Temple Wood at Weston Park
Weston Park is a 17th-century estate featuring 1,000 acres of rolling parkland. Known for hosting world-class events, the Weston Park team has shown great enthusiasm for the project, providing an authentic backdrop for fans to live out their own Hobbit-themed adventures. Guests will be fully immersed in the experience.
Weston Park is a stately home and estate on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border. Owned by the Weston Park Foundation, an independent charitable trust, the estate is dedicated to preserving its 17th-century heritage and world-class art collection for the public. A premier venue for large-scale events, Weston Park balances historic grandeur with a commitment to ethical and sustainable tourism.
If spending time in the English countryside, eating, drinking and being the Hobbit of your choice sounds like a dream come true, then stay tuned – we’ll bring you news of when tickets will be going on sale, very soon.
About Burgschneider
Burgschneider is a leading designer and manufacturer of medieval and fantasy costumes, known for its dedication to authenticity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. As the organizer of ConQuest of Mythodea—the world’s largest live action roleplaying (LARP) event—Burgschneider brings extensive expertise in creating and coordinating immersive experiences. From historical reenactments to large-scale LARP events, Burgschneider costumes empower enthusiasts to fully step into their favorite historical and fictional worlds.
About Middle-earth Enterprises
Middle-earth Enterprises owns exclusive worldwide rights to motion picture, merchandise, live stage and services inspired by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, by J.R.R. Tolkien. We have produced and licensed goods based upon these four books, for a half century. Inspired by our deep appreciation for the fictional world created by Professor Tolkien, we are dedicated to working with those developing highest quality creations inspired by the lore, in accordance with state-of-the-art green business and sustainability practices; including fair trade, equality in the workplace, and a deep commitment to protect our Earth, its wondrous beauty, and the viability of every living creature. As Middle-earth’s stewards and custodians, our goal is to consistently deliver a wealth of great content in both new and known formats; to ensure Middle-earth’s rightful place as the world’s leading fantasy IP & brand, forever. Visit us at www.middleearth.com for details.
Did you know that you can dye your own clothing right in your very kitchen? And what’s more, you can do so with very simple ingredients and even a “weed”! Given Tolkien’s famous distaste for industry, it stands to reason that most residents of Middle-earth would have purchased or traded for dyed clothing from artisans and craftspeople. Join Kili in this new episode of Happy Hobbit to learn how to utilize this oft-overlooked springtime plant to make your own (Middle-)earth tones.
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 13+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
For example, Kili recently shared a video echoing what many of us “old timers” feel about the nostalgia of marking the 25th anniversary of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
Get even more slow-living hobbit content by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram,Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
