Gaming Events in Syracuse Showcase that it’s Cool to be a Nerd
We all remember those emotion-filled high school years, when kids separated off into clicks: the jocks, the goths, the popular kids… and the nerds. And while pop culture leads us to believe that the nerds aren’t as “cool” as some of the other groups, I was always very proud to be a nerd. I knew I wasn’t the coolest. I wasn’t rich or fashionable. But I was smart, and I knew it. Which, as adults, we know gets us a lot further in life. So this millennial is proud to still be part of the nerd clique twenty years later, embracing her geekdom, love of puzzles and games, and other nerdy culture. Except now I realize I’m not alone. There are plenty of board game stores and cafes, gaming groups, and gaming events in Syracuse that embrace board games, video games, and other gaming culture. And I’m here to share that with you.
Don’t worry – there will be plenty more of this content coming your way. Including local board gaming groups, game nights, board game stores, and gaming cafes that are helping to grow the Syracuse gaming community.
CuseCon
September 18-21, 2025
Easily the biggest of all the board gaming events in Syracuse is CuseCon. Held every fall, this 4-day gaming event brings together board game publishers and designers with avid gamers. The local board game convention was started by Michael Gugliano, a local board game designer and avid player. He had the idea for a Syracuse gaming con in 2018 and made it a reality in 2019.
Now in its 6th year, CuseCon is held at the Collegian Hotel & Suites in Syracuse. In addition to scheduled games across the four days, guests have several other unique experiences to enjoy. The CuseCon flea market invites attendees to bring in the board games they are looking to sell so other gamers can purchase them at a discounted rate. Multiple games have qualifying championship rounds, leading to the winners moving on to compete on a national level at Gen Con in Indianapolis. There are also discussion panels, gaming trivia, miniature painting workshops, and play-to-win games. And for those night owls, there is even a room for 24-hour gaming.
Bullfinch Brewing Company has two beers made and labeled specifically for CuseCon. Rumor has it a few of the CuseCon exclusive beer cans (which you can get at the hotel bar) have D20 dice in them. If you find one, you’ll win a prize!
One of the things I’m most excited about is the games that you can play with the game designers. I’ve signed up to play Wine Cellar with Andrew Stiles on Saturday.
Other CuseCon Events
While CuseCon itself is a once-a-year event, Mike keeps the group active all year long. Every Tuesday, he hosts CuseCon Tuesdays at Bullfinch Brewing in Destiny USA. On Thursdays, it’s CuseCon Thursdays at the Collegian Hotel & Suites. They also host a board game design guild at Play the Game, Read the Story (downtown) on Sundays. On Wednesdays the guild meets at Wegmans in Fairmount. Plus CuseCon hosts tabletop gaming day and other fundraisers for Extra Life throughout the year.
Avatar the Airbender in Concert
September 26, 2025
Since the gaming community in Syracuse is thriving, the Oncenter is riding the wave. The first event on the calendar? Avatar the Last Airbender in Concert. Anime lovers have a lot of overlap with the gamers, so this is sure to pique folks’ interests. Celebrating the 20th anniversary is the beloved anime series, Avatar in concert heads to Syracuse on Friday, September 26. Iconic scenes from the show will showcase the adventures of Aang, Katara, Appa, and more. A live orchestra will bring the scenes to life.
The performance was composed and arranged by Emmy Award-winner Jeremy Zuckerman and will be held at the Crouse Hinds Theater. Tickets are available online through Ticketmaster. But also, watch my social media this weekend for a chance to WIN a pair of tickets to the show.
RetroGameCon
October 10-12, 2025
What CuseCon is for board games, RetroGameCon is for video games. And board games. And cosplay… It’s a celebration of all things game-related! RetroGameCon is also held every fall and has grown each year since it started in 2013. Located in the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse, the convention attracts thousands of visitors and has become the largest gaming event in New York State.
The huge event space features a vendor marketplace and so much room for gaming. Truly, every video gaming system you can imagine is there. From modern favorites to beloved classics like Atari, NES, Sega Genesis, and even more historic, obscure consoles and computers. RetroGameCon attendees have free access to play the games throughout the convention, and can even compete in high score challenges. My favorite? Playing the original Oregon Trail on some old-school desktop computers.
The organizers for the convention partner with Skill Shot Arcade and Retroware to bring in an alley of pinball games. They also partner with ELITE Gaming for esports tournaments. Several charity raffles raise money for Extra Life, part of the Children’s Miracle Network. The most creative attendees take part in a cosplay contest and there’s an entire room dedicated to tabletop gaming. Guests are also invited to sit in on panel discussions and visit the game developer showcase.
Other RetroGameCon Events
The folks at RetroGameCon partner with local libraries to bring game nights to the greater Central New York community. They also host a RetroGameCon Spring Edition – a one-day event in May.
Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons
February 22, 2026
Next up in the Oncenter’s gaming-centric concert is Stardew Valley: Symphony of the Seasons. Like the Avatar concert, Stardew Valley concert will feature a live orchestra playing in front of scenes from the popular video game. In addition to music from the game, there will be music curated specifically for this event. The visual display will progress concert-goers through the seasons of the game, just as if they were playing.
The performance was curated by ConcernedApe and will be held at the Crouse Hinds Theater. Tickets are available online through Ticketmaster. Like with Avatar, I will be partnering with the Oncenter to give away a pair of tickets to Stardew Valley: Symphony of the Seaons as the event gets closer. also, watch my social media this weekend for a chance to WIN a pair of tickets to the show.
