Texas AFOL Guide: Adult LEGO Clubs, TSLUG & Brick Conventions 2026

Texas Has a Thriving Adult LEGO Community — Here’s Your Entry Point

Texas is home to TSLUG (Texas LEGO User Group), a statewide network with five active chapters in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Fort Worth. As of 2026, TSLUG runs monthly club meetings, an annual state convention, and maintains official LEGO LUG recognition — making it the hub for adult fans of LEGO (AFOLs) across the Lone Star State.

Whether you just finished a 10,000-piece skyline build on your dining room table or you’ve been quietly collecting Star Wars UCS sets since 2005, you’re not alone in Texas. The AFOL community here is bigger, more organized, and more welcoming than most people realize — and TSLUG is the organization that ties it all together.

What Is TSLUG and How Did It Start?

TSLUG — the Texas LEGO User Group — is a volunteer-run, statewide fan organization founded to connect adult LEGO enthusiasts across Texas. Like most regional LUGs, it grew out of the grassroots AFOL community that emerged in the early 2000s when online LEGO forums began turning isolated hobbyists into organized clubs.

TSLUG holds official recognition as a LUG (LEGO User Group) through LEGO’s fan-support program. Some chapters within TSLUG have also earned RLUG (Recognized LEGO User Group) status — a higher tier that unlocks access to exclusive LEGO Ambassador benefits, early product previews, and annual meetings with LEGO Group representatives. The distinction matters: an RLUG chapter has demonstrated sustained activity, public displays, and community engagement that meet LEGO’s formal criteria.

For most new members, the difference is invisible day to day. What you’ll notice is a community that takes the hobby seriously without taking itself too seriously — think friendly debates about technic pin tolerances right next to a table covered in minifig customs.

TSLUG’s Five Texas Chapters

TSLUG is organized around five regional chapters, each serving a major metro area. Here’s a quick overview:

• San Antonio Chapter — Meets monthly in the SA area, often hosting displays at local events including San Antonio fandom festivals. The chapter frequently participates in Texas Fandom Fest and other local geek culture gatherings.
• Austin Chapter — Active in the Austin geek scene, with ties to events near Dragon’s Lair Austin on Jollyville Road, where members have shown off collaborative builds at gaming and pop culture events.
• Dallas Chapter — One of the larger chapters statewide, with regular meetings and a strong presence at North Texas conventions. Common Ground Games Dallas has hosted LEGO-friendly community nights that draw chapter members.
• Houston Chapter — Benefits from Houston’s large convention footprint; chapter members regularly display at Houston-area fan events and maintain an active build calendar.
• Fort Worth Chapter — Smaller but dedicated, with members who turn out for Sci-Fi Factory Fort Worth events and local library build programs.

Each chapter operates semi-independently, setting its own meeting schedule and local event calendar. The TSLUG website and social channels keep the statewide network coordinated.

What Actually Happens at a TSLUG Meeting?

If you’ve never attended an AFOL club meeting before, here’s what to expect. Meetings are low-key, hobby-focused gatherings — not formal club business sessions. A typical TSLUG chapter meeting includes:

• MOC showcases — Members bring their latest “My Own Creations” (MOCs) to share. Expect everything from microscale cityscapes to full diorama fantasy builds. No judgment — first-timers with a single creation are as welcome as the person who hauled in a 4-foot train layout.
• Bulk parts swaps — Members trade or sell loose bricks, plates, and specialty elements. This is one of the most practical reasons to join a club: sourcing rare colors and pieces without paying Bricklink shipping on every single lot.
• Group builds and challenges — Some chapters run collaborative projects, like building a modular city layout together over several months, or competing on a themed challenge (e.g., “build something that represents Texas in 32×32 studs”).
• Convention prep — In the months before a major display event, meetings shift toward layout planning, transport logistics, and finalizing which MOCs will represent the chapter publicly.

The vibe is closer to a creative workshop than a club meeting. Come with or without a finished build — you’re welcome either way.

Texas LEGO Conventions and Public Events in 2026

Beyond monthly chapter meetings, Texas AFOLs have two major event types to look forward to each year: the TSLUG annual convention and third-party brick fairs.

• TSLUG Annual Convention — TSLUG hosts a statewide gathering that brings all five chapters together for a weekend of collaborative building, MOC competitions, and vendor tables stocked with bulk parts and custom elements. Dates rotate between Texas cities. Check the TSLUG website for 2026 dates and host city announcements.
• BrickFair Texas — BrickFair is a national AFOL convention brand that has held Texas events featuring public display floors, LEGO-certified professionals, custom vendor halls, and massive collaborative layouts. The Texas edition draws hundreds of builders and tens of thousands of LEGO pieces. Verify dates and venue on the official BrickFair site — these are not official LEGO events and schedules change year to year.
• Texas Fandom Fest (San Antonio) — While not exclusively a LEGO event, TFF regularly features TSLUG display tables where San Antonio chapter members show off MOCs to the public. It’s a great first exposure to the club without any commitment.
• Library and Museum Displays — Individual chapters partner with public libraries, children’s museums, and community centers for public LEGO display weekends throughout the year. These are scattered across the state and announced through chapter social media.

Always verify event dates, venues, and ticket requirements before making travel plans. Convention schedules shift, and some events announced early in the year move or cancel. The TSLUG social accounts and Discord are the fastest sources for current info.

How to Join TSLUG in 2026

Joining TSLUG is straightforward. Membership is free — there are no annual dues at the statewide level, though individual chapters may request small contributions for shared materials or event costs. Here’s the typical path:

1. Visit the TSLUG website and locate your nearest chapter (SA, Austin, Dallas, Houston, or Fort Worth).
2. Join the chapter’s online community — most chapters maintain a Facebook group, Discord server, or both where meeting announcements and build discussion happen daily.
3. Attend a meeting. No application process, no interview. Show up, introduce yourself, and you’re a member in every practical sense.
4. For formal LEGO Ambassador Network (LAN) benefits through the RLUG tier, your chapter coordinator handles the relationship with LEGO — individual members don’t need to manage this separately.

FAQ

What is TSLUG?

TSLUG stands for Texas LEGO User Group, a statewide fan organization connecting adult LEGO hobbyists (AFOLs) across five Texas metro areas: San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Fort Worth. It holds official LUG recognition from the LEGO Group and runs monthly chapter meetings, public displays, and an annual statewide convention. It is entirely volunteer-run by LEGO fans, not an official LEGO company organization.

How do I join a Texas LEGO user group?

Find your nearest TSLUG chapter through the TSLUG website and join its online community (typically a Facebook group or Discord). Attendance at a chapter meeting is all it takes to get started — there is no formal application or membership fee at the statewide level. Some chapters ask for small voluntary contributions to cover shared build supplies or event costs.

Are there Texas LEGO conventions in 2026?

Yes. TSLUG holds an annual statewide convention that rotates between Texas cities, and BrickFair Texas is a separate large-scale AFOL convention with public display floors, vendor halls, and competitive MOC categories. Texas Fandom Fest in San Antonio also features TSLUG chapter displays. Always verify current dates and venues on official event websites before booking travel, as schedules change.

What is an MOC in LEGO culture?

MOC stands for “My Own Creation” — any LEGO build designed from scratch by the builder rather than following an official LEGO set instruction booklet. MOCs range from small vignettes to room-sized collaborative layouts, and sharing them at club meetings and conventions is a central part of AFOL culture. Building and displaying MOCs is how most TSLUG members engage with the hobby beyond collecting official sets.

Is TSLUG free to join?

Yes, statewide TSLUG membership carries no dues. Individual chapters may ask for small voluntary contributions toward shared materials, table fees at events, or group build supplies, but there is no mandatory paid membership tier. The main investment for most members is time and, of course, LEGO pieces.