California Mermaid Convention
Hagan Community Center Pool, 2197 Chase Dr, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
About
The California Mermaid Convention is a three-day mermaid-themed event that includes swim play, costuming, shopping, entertainment, meetings, workshops, lectures, performances, photo shoots, contests, parades, clean ups, group swims in tail, a costumed ball, and an underwater portfolio workshop. Families can attend panels and lectures from professional mermaids, exclusive live underwater performances, choreographed and costumed performances, swimming shows, swim sessions with a variety of merfolk, and visit a vendor hall that includes Discovery tails and special Finfolk items for purchase. The first 25 guests to enter the convention on Saturday and Sunday receive a free holographic vinyl bag from Visit Rancho Cordova.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: The California Mermaid Convention runs May 16–18, 2025, and May 15–17, 2026.
• Price: Grab your tickets before they raise in price again on April 1st.
The California Mermaid Convention has been running for over a decade and is described as a three-day mermaid extravaganza, the longest-running mermaid event on the West Coast, and the longest running mermaid themed convention in the world. It is described as the best mermaid event on the West Coast, and all ages and families are welcome. Some events are completely free to the public, and there is a strict Code of Conduct.
Mermaid and Mom was founded by mother/daughter team Laurie and Rachel Smith, and Mermaid and Mom is part of the core team of the California Mermaid Convention. Rachel Smith has been the Head Mermaid at the Dive Bar in Sacramento, California since it opened its doors in 2011 and helps operate and run Mermaid and Mom with her mother Laurie. Pixie Tribe Entertainment was founded in 2015 by Ashley Rastad, a Professional Children's Entertainer with nearly 1,000 parties, and Mermaid Ashley/Pixie Blossom has helped grow the promenade into a full weekend of mermaid events and eventually this annual convention and is owner of Pixie Tribe. Mermom Laurie is part of the core team of the California Mermaid Convention, Mermaid Krista has volunteered in various capacities and is now full-time staff, and Marisa Renee / Risa Mermaid wrangles the team of volunteers at the convention. Captain Angus is on the convention team as Producer, Master of Ceremonies, Convention Consultant, and Head Builder, and John Rastad is part of the core team and assumed leadership of the Promenade of Mermaids in 2017. Merman Jax is a past convention Producer, Consultant, and Event Sponsor.
Pixie Tribe Entertainment was founded in 2015, and Mermaid Krista dipped her fins into the mer-world in 2012 and officially joined the community in 2014. John Rastad has been a part of the Promenade of Mermaids since its first run in 2010 and assumed leadership in 2017. Marisa Renee / Risa Mermaid has been a licensed Cosmetologist since 2011 and specializes in color from solid to rainbow and hand-tied extensions.
Thanks to sponsors at Visit Rancho Cordova, the convention offers a room block at a local hotel and partners with Visit Rancho Cordova. Mermaid and Mom and Pixie Tribe state that they love to give back to their local Sacramento community, and the California Mermaid Convention includes a River Clean Up. The Brotherhood of the Black Flag has performed throughout the west coast since the early 2000s and is associated with the broader community around the event.
Visit Rancho Cordova, a local travel and tourism organization, describes The California Mermaid Convention in Rancho Cordova as “quintessentially quirky, refreshingly inclusive, and daringly bold” and notes that it draws the attention of worldwide mermaid hobbyists, seasoned performers, and journalists while providing a relaxed and welcoming experience for visitors. Visit Rancho Cordova also states that the event is a rising star in Rancho Cordova and that they are honored to partner with the California Mermaid Convention team.
Last updated June 11, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: The California Mermaid Convention runs May 16–18, 2025, and May 15–17, 2026.
• Price: Grab your tickets before they raise in price again on April 1st.
The California Mermaid Convention has been running for over a decade and is described as a three-day mermaid extravaganza, the longest-running mermaid event on the West Coast, and the longest running mermaid themed convention in the world. It is described as the best mermaid event on the West Coast, and all ages and families are welcome. Some events are completely free to the public, and there is a strict Code of Conduct.
Mermaid and Mom was founded by mother/daughter team Laurie and Rachel Smith, and Mermaid and Mom is part of the core team of the California Mermaid Convention. Rachel Smith has been the Head Mermaid at the Dive Bar in Sacramento, California since it opened its doors in 2011 and helps operate and run Mermaid and Mom with her mother Laurie. Pixie Tribe Entertainment was founded in 2015 by Ashley Rastad, a Professional Children's Entertainer with nearly 1,000 parties, and Mermaid Ashley/Pixie Blossom has helped grow the promenade into a full weekend of mermaid events and eventually this annual convention and is owner of Pixie Tribe. Mermom Laurie is part of the core team of the California Mermaid Convention, Mermaid Krista has volunteered in various capacities and is now full-time staff, and Marisa Renee / Risa Mermaid wrangles the team of volunteers at the convention. Captain Angus is on the convention team as Producer, Master of Ceremonies, Convention Consultant, and Head Builder, and John Rastad is part of the core team and assumed leadership of the Promenade of Mermaids in 2017. Merman Jax is a past convention Producer, Consultant, and Event Sponsor.
Pixie Tribe Entertainment was founded in 2015, and Mermaid Krista dipped her fins into the mer-world in 2012 and officially joined the community in 2014. John Rastad has been a part of the Promenade of Mermaids since its first run in 2010 and assumed leadership in 2017. Marisa Renee / Risa Mermaid has been a licensed Cosmetologist since 2011 and specializes in color from solid to rainbow and hand-tied extensions.
Thanks to sponsors at Visit Rancho Cordova, the convention offers a room block at a local hotel and partners with Visit Rancho Cordova. Mermaid and Mom and Pixie Tribe state that they love to give back to their local Sacramento community, and the California Mermaid Convention includes a River Clean Up. The Brotherhood of the Black Flag has performed throughout the west coast since the early 2000s and is associated with the broader community around the event.
Visit Rancho Cordova, a local travel and tourism organization, describes The California Mermaid Convention in Rancho Cordova as “quintessentially quirky, refreshingly inclusive, and daringly bold” and notes that it draws the attention of worldwide mermaid hobbyists, seasoned performers, and journalists while providing a relaxed and welcoming experience for visitors. Visit Rancho Cordova also states that the event is a rising star in Rancho Cordova and that they are honored to partner with the California Mermaid Convention team.
Last updated June 11, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.