Neopets, the virtual universe that defined countless millennial childhoods, has broken through screens and into reality as it celebrates its 25th anniversary with a lineup of real-world events, pop-up gatherings and tasty collaborations, sparking what fans are calling “The Neopian Renaissance.” The events offer lifelong Neopians and newcomers to the virtual world the chance to meet face to face and create special memories.
“As Neopets marks its 25th anniversary, I can’t help but marvel at my own journey. Once, I was just another kid trading items and staying up late for quests, using Neopets to keep bonds alive with friends across oceans as I moved from Canada to Hong Kong,” said Dominic Law, CEO of Neopets. “Today, I’m living a childhood dream, stewarding the very world that shaped my youth. This milestone celebrates more than just a game — it honors millions of friendships forged in Neopia, countless adventures shared, and a community that has made this virtual world feel like home. As we look to the next 25 years, I’m grateful to our passionate fans and partners who keep the magic of Neopets alive.”
Hosting offline events throughout November, Neopets has enjoyed the fandom’s enthusiasm as nearly 300 community members have applied to host gatherings around the globe. These local celebrations have created a unique opportunity for fans to meet in person, many for the first time ever. Participants bonded over cosplay contests, trivia challenges and gaming sessions while embracing their shared nostalgia.
Among the 40 cities and 5,000 plus attendees to these gatherings, the Neopets team highlighted one touching experience from San Jose event host and Community Ambassador, Kay, who shared how daily interactions with guidemates in Omneo have been a source of laughter, support and friendship over the years, saying, “They make me laugh, they support me, they are lifelong friends. Many of them I’ve met in real life, but I leapt at the opportunity to get to know my Neopian neighbors better.” This event was also a tribute to a family tradition that began when her little sister introduced her to Neopets in 2000; “I’ve been making neofriends ever since,” Kay added.
In New York City, a chic cocktail gathering became a heartfelt celebration of connection and community. The N.Y.C. Host recounted: “The natural energy of the party was incredible.” As a host, the most rewarding moments were hearing guests express their joy at meeting other Neopets players in person; “A bunch of us created a N.Y.C. Neopets Meetup group, so hopefully many of us will be seeing each other again soon.”
Meanwhile in Baltimore, fans immersed themselves in a Neopian-themed celebration complete with prizes, games, cosplay and activities. One attendee shared how much the experience meant: “It’s been a rough year for me, so this really helped lift my spirits. Everyone was so nice, and the creative energy with all the trinkets, art, and cosplays made me feel at home. Everyone really made the magic happen.”
The response has inspired Neopets to keep the celebrations going, with the next big gathering set for the Anime Festival Asia (AFA) – the largest anime convention in the region — this month in Singapore. At AFA, Neopets will come to life with interactive experiences, exclusive merchandise and spaces for fans to connect in person in a festive and immersive setting.
For fans who missed out on in-person events, or those craving even more ways to celebrate, Neopets has teamed up with popular food and beverage spots to add a dash of Neopia to daily life and create Instagram-worthy experiences that are already generating waitlists:
- Tsun Scoops (November 17 – December 14) in Garden Grove, California, will serve limited-edition ice cream flavors inspired by Neopia, alongside Neopets-branded cups, spoons, and collectible merchandise.
- Yifang Taiwan Fruit Tea (November 25 – December 25) will transform nine California locations into Neopian outposts with themed drinks and exclusive cup sleeves, featuring characters like Kacheek and Aisha.
- It’s Boba Time (May 2025) in 100 locations across the U.S. will feature Neopets-themed décor and giveaways, making every visit a mini Neopian party with collectible pins and stickers.
Learn more and connect with the Neopia community at neopets.com.
