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At Holiday Cosplay 2024, we’re focusing on what makes this event truly special: cosplay (after all, it’s in our name!). We’ve crafted an inclusive celebration that offers something for everyone—whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro, young or old. With opportunities for up-and-coming cosplay talent, separate contests for crafters and runway stars, and even options for introverted cosplayers who prefer to shine off-stage, there’s a place for every cosplayer to be part of the magic.
More specifically, this year’s event features four cosplay contests (Craftsmanship, Novice Craftsmanship, Runway, and Best Cosplay We See!). There will be 10 guest cosplayers, which includes 8 up-and-comers we call “Emerging Guest Cosplayers” who will not only lead cosplay workshops and panels but also host and judge our other exciting contests like the Lip Sync Competition and Idol Showcase. And the guest cosplayers will join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a truly one-of-a-kind, festive photo opportunity! Get more info below.
Since we’re placing the spotlight fully on cosplay, we’ve chosen not to feature voice actors at Holiday Cosplay this year. Fans have expressed a stronger desire to celebrate the holidays through the creativity and fun of cosplay. Meanwhile, we’re expanding the number of voice actors at our other fan-favorite events, St. Pete Comic Con on March 8-9 and Anime St. Pete on September 27-28, making them bigger than ever! And we want to know the voice actors you want to meet next year. See below to make suggestions for voice actors you’d like to see.
And tickets are affordable: Saturday $20, Sunday $15, weekend pass $25. And make sure to check out our incredible bundles, which gives you two cons — Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay and St. Pete Comic Con — for the price of one. Saturday bundle is only $30, Sunday bundle $20, Weekend bundle $45. Get tickets here.
Holiday Cosplay is a festive fan convention that brings the spirit of the winter holidays into the world of cosplay. Fans from all over come together to celebrate their favorite characters, some with a unique holiday twist. From iconic superheroes to beloved anime characters to frightening horror characters to adventurous gaming characters, cosplayers get creative by incorporating Christmas, winter, and festive elements into their costumes. It’s an event that not only showcases the art of cosplay but also encourages playful and imaginative reinterpretations of favorite fandoms through the lens of the holiday season.
The Craftsmanship and Novice Craftsmanship, which require 50% or more of the costumes be made by hand, offer opportunities for beginners, intermediate, and advanced cosplayers. While the Runway, which has no hand-made requirement and can include a store-bought costume, focuses more on assuming the character. And Florida Comic Cons’ Best Cosplay We See! Competition roams the halls, giving the introverts a chance to shine without the pressure of walking across the main stage in a contest. And all ages are welcome in all of the contests. Here are links to see if applications are open for Craftsmanship and Novice Craftsmanship. Runway contestants sign up on Sunday at the Guest Cosplayer alcoves. And Florida Comic Cons’ Best Cosplay We See! competition approaches cosplayers on the convention floor. And we recommend you check out our Contestant & Panel FAQ for details.
Our Emerging Guest Cosplayer Program provides a golden opportunity for up-and-coming cosplayers to experience cosplay guesting. Under the mentorship of seasoned cosplay veterans, emerging guests will judge and host contests, co-present the Newbies Welcome Experience, pose with Santa for holiday photos, and meet fans at their booth—gaining invaluable experience in the process. Here is the link to see if applications are still open.
Advanced and Emerging Guest Cosplayers will host cosplay workshops, offering attendees the unique opportunity to learn directly from masters of their craft. These workshops provide a rare chance to engage with top-tier cosplayers in an in-person workshop setting. Workshop topics will be announced soon, so stay tuned to the website and our social media (Instagram, Facebook) for more details on how you can enhance your skills alongside some of the best in the community. Here is the link to where the workshops will be posted.
In addition to the exciting cosplay contests and workshops, Holiday Cosplay 2024 offers a variety of other activities to keep the festive fun going! Show off your performance skills in the Lip Sync Competition or the Idol Showcase, where fans can step into the spotlight and entertain the crowd. Attend engaging fan panels covering a range of topics only geeks and nerds can understand (click here to see if applications are still open), and don’t forget to stop by for a free photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus! (click here to see Santa’s photo hours) Plus, we’ll have special photo meetups for anime, comics, and gaming as well as with guest cosplayers, giving you the perfect opportunity to capture unique holiday memories.
There will be the best holiday shopping in the universe- don’t you dare buy a holiday gift from a mall! More than 100 vendor booths of unique items and artwork await. You can see all of the vendors and activities on our Con Map + Schedule. And we want to say a big “Thank You!” to everyone who makes the show possible- see how we appreciate our vendors, contestants, and attendees.
Over the past three years, our four events—St. Pete Comic Con, Anime St. Pete, Sunshine City Scare, and Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay—have brought more than 30 big-name voice actors to St. Petersburg, giving fans access to the voices of many of the biggest characters in anime and gaming.
Now, we want to hear from you! Who do you want to see next? We’re always looking for ways to bring your favorite voices to our cons.
We’re actively booking voice actors for St. Pete Comic Con 2025 on March 8-9 and Anime St. Pete 2025 on September 27-28! We typically don’t re-book voice actors we’ve already had as guests, which is why we’re sharing the graphic below so you can see who has already appeared at a St. Pete con. Additionally, we avoid bringing in voice actors who have recently appeared at fan conventions in central Florida, ensuring we bring you a fresh lineup of celebrities. Got suggestions for voice actors you’d love to meet? Drop them at [email protected]!
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