They’re taking the Hobbits across America to celebrate 25 years of movie fellowships, touring 10 cities in 10 months durring 2026.
Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, and Elijah Wood will reunite to spread the joy in An Evening with the Hobbits, which Fan Expo HQ is billing as “more than a reunion and so much more than a panel.” It will have storytelling, a variety show, and so much more. And each city they appear in will deliver this greatness for two nights. Behind the scenes memories, inside jokes, and more will make it feel like a great feast of joy.
The Fellowship is reuniting for The Lord of the Rings 25th Anniversary Reunion Tour: A Once-in-a-Generation Celebration. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd are journeying to 11 FAN EXPO shows in 2026 for An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years-because what’s better than second breakfast? Elevenses at 11 shows. From exclusive experiences to photo ops and autographs, fans can celebrate a quarter-century of Middle-earth magic with the hobbits who stole our hearts.
Tour Dates
FAN EXPO New Orleans: Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM
FAN EXPO Portland: Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 7:30 PM
FAN EXPO Boston: Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM
FAN EXPO Chicago: Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM
FAN EXPO Canada Toronto: Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 7:30 PM
FAN EXPO Dallas: Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Curiously, there seems to be a break in July-July which aligns with the shooting schedule of THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM feature film shooting in NZ. Elijah is confirmed, but maybe all four have a role to play in the new spinoff movie set during the 17 years between Bilbo’s birthday and the Council of Elrond.
There are options for the variety hour stage show only, photo ops, autographs, and group meetups. Photo ops start at $80 in most cities and up, with the ultimate package called…
BACKSTAGE PASS WITH THE CAST
For $799, this once (tenth?) in a lifetime opportunity includes:
Gold Ticket priority seating to attend the special panel – An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years
A professional team-up photo op with all four hobbits: Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, and you
One guaranteed in-person autograph from all four hobbits: Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd – BYOB Bring Your Own Barrel to sign.
Connect with other Tolkien fans in our convention channel on Discord!
Did you know that you can “bee” a helpful hobbit and help the bees? Pollinators get thirsty just like we do, but it is often risky for them to drink from large bodies of water. Hobbits know a thing or two about the dangers of the “big” world, so why not lend a helping hand by making a safe place for them to rest and hydrate? Bee baths are simple to make and so rewarding once they (finally) start bee-ing used! (Okay, I’ll stop with the puns now!)
This effort is not entirely altruistic. Without pollinators, our food security collapses, and that is a thought that should terrify everyone, not just hobbits! So click on the video below to join Kili as she shows you how easy it is to make an insect-friendly watering hole.
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 10+ 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.
San Diego Comic Con is almost upon us – and we are looking forward to seeing our fellow fans there. Here are some of the things Tolkien fans can look forward to this year:
First and foremost, be sure to visit us at Booth #1934. There will be so much going on there! We’ll have our two new shirts designs for 2025 – official licensed apparel, a steal at just $30 each.
AND as if that wasn’t enough – returning to SDCC is the legend himself JED BROPHY, who will be signing all weekend at TORN’s booth #1934. Jed is the only actor to feature in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit trilogy, AND The Rings of Power. Plus he is a fabulous guy – don’t miss your chance to meet him and snag an autograph.
More booths – don’t miss them!
When you’ve had your fill at TORn’s booth, you might stroll across the aisle and visit incredible artist Jerry Vanderstelt at #1931. You’ll want to check out all his art – and in particular, he has created a new original artwork based on the Rankin/Bass animated The Hobbit. There will be FREE prints of this amazing masterpiece – but to claim them, you’ll have to go on a quest to another booth… Middle-earth Enterprises are making their first con appearance ever, inside the Dark Horse booth #2615. We’ll say no more about it, except that you will NOT WANT TO MISS IT! The Vanderstelt prints are not the only treasures to be claimed there…
Our good friends Weta Workshop return to SDCC after a five year absence, with a big new booth #3613. You’ll also find the wonderful Badali Jewelry near door A at booth #715.
Panels to share all the latest news and views!
If you can tear yourself away from such an exciting show floor, we have PANELS for you:
Friday 2.30pm, Room 5AB: The Lord of the Rings: What’s Next?
This is TORn’s own, unofficial panel; which means you’ll get all the latest gossip and grist from the rumour mill! Our ears are to the ground and we have thoughts to share on all the goodies coming up in Tolkiendom. What will we see in The Rings of Power Season 3? When will we be hunting for Gollum…? Join us to speculate!
Sunday 2.15pm, Room 6BCF: Middle-earth: The Adventure Ahead
For this panel, TORn is collaborating with Middle-earth Enterprises to bring you official news from Weta Workshop, The Brandywine Festival, Return to Moria and more – all the latest announcements from Middle-earth Enterprises and their licensees. And there may be some very special guests!
Phew! So much to keep us all busy – and this is supposedly a ‘quiet’ year!! We don’t have an official party or offsite experience happening this year; we are drawing breath before the big year with all that will be happening in 2026! BUT there is so much to see and visit on the show floor, and we hope to see you at our booth #1934, and at our panels. Hanging with our fellow fans – it doesn’t get better than this! See you in San Diego!
Oh and – if you can’t make it to San Diego, or if you just know you’re going to have the post con blues a week from now, then you should plan on going on Comic Con The Cruise! It’s next January – but right now we are giving you the chance to WIN a Cruise for Two! Don’t delay – enter today!
Little is said about the 111th birthday cake of Bilbo Baggins, but the cake we see in The Fellowship of the Ring is emblazoned in many viewers’ minds. While this special-occasion hobbit cake isn’t an exact replica of the one in the film, it is more than suitable for any event of special magnificence! Multi-step recipes can feel quite intimidating at first, but in this episode, Kili walks you through each step of the way and shows you her tips and tricks. The end result is as delicious as it is beautiful.
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 10+ 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.
Over the last few years one of the most in demand exclusives to get at San Diego Comic-Con has been the print sets our friend Jerry Vanderstelt has at his booth and I have no doubt that this year won’t be any different.
This years set is titled Winged Fury, and captures three of Jerry’s prints in a never before released size of 12×16. The three prints that make up this set are the Fell Beast, Smaug, and The Balrog. I personally have all 3 as individual prints and I cannot wait to add this set to my collection. They are exceptionally well done. This limited edition, 350 print run, at a price of $40, will not last past the end of SDCC on July 27th. Fans going to Comic-Con can pre-order theirs right now, if they’d like, and simply take their receipt to booth 1931 to pick it up. The online pre-order will be limited to only 150 copies, with the final 200 being sold exclusively at the show. Get yours now because you do not want to risk not getting it once the show starts.
The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee examines the truth and legends of one of the most accomplished actors in Hollywood history.
Director Jon Spira is opening up his feature length documentary film to Tolkien fans with an exclusive deal, following a successful Kickstarter campaign that helped get the movie finished. The film is now available online at ChristopherLeeFilm.co.uk in DVD Blu-Ray, box set, and digital download.
TheOneRing.net community fans can get 50% off the digital edition with code ONERING
Made in collaboration with Chris Lee’s Estate
The documentary features new and never before seen interviews with Peter Jackson, Joe Dante, John Landis, and archival footage featuring his best friends Vincent Price and Peter Cushing. It was made in coordination with Lee’s estate and heirs, and reveals many previously unheard personal anecdotes and stories. Many of the legendary tales of Christopher Lee’s life are covered — it’s up to you, the viewer, whether he was embellishing. Some of the tallest tales we documented years ago in a twitter thread.
James Bond exists because of Christopher Lee – he is Ian Fleming's cousin who wanted him to play Bond, not least because of Lee’s World War II and SOC experiences.
TheOneRing.net asked director Jon Spira if he thought Christopher Lee would be brought back to life with A.I. in the upcoming series of The Lord of the Rings films. While he has never inquired with Lee’s family or estate about such matters, he personally decided to not use A.I. in his documentary. Actor Peter Serafinowicz narrates portions of the film from the perspective of Christopher Lee, in stories taken from his own autobiography.
“I suspect that he might have left instructions not to allow such a thing. That said, he adored Peter Jackson and I could equally imagine him granting Jackson some form of limited digital manipulation rights,” says director Jon Spira.
To be clear: we have not yet heard any rumors that the new movies even want to pursue this. Director Andy Serkis and Producer Peter Jackson, who are working on the next LOTR film “The Hunt For Gollum,” have both expressed more than a passing interest in utilizing A.I. filmmaking tools. Jackson recently won Emmy and Grammy awards for using A.I. to restore The Beatles’ footage and music tapes. For Saruman’s cameo in “The War of the Rohirrim,” Philippa Boyens found unused outtakes from “The Hobbit” movies to bring Lee’s voice into the anime film.
Print the Legend, Watch the Film
Most Tolkien fans already know that Christopher Lee was a huge LOTR fan. He professed to read the books every year, and he is the only cast member of The Lord of the Rings movies to have actually met J.R.R. Tolkien in person. Not only was Saruman the final performance of his illustrious career, this documentary reveals that Christopher Lee was watching LOTR on the day he died. So go and grab the full movie now for half-off pricing using the code ONERING.
