Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay 2023 has a big lineup for fans! The anime, comic, cosplay, makeup/SFX, and gaming convention is on December 2-3 at the St. Petersburg Coliseum. And this blog previews the wide assortment of spectacular entertainment that is part of the 2nd annual event:
- 4 big-time anime voice actors
- 4 amazing guest cosplayers
- 1 body painter and makeup/SFX expert
- 1 idol group
- 6 contests with $1,300 in cash prizes and cool medals
- 1 scavenger hunt bingo
- Hourly raffles
- plus panel applications are available
And there are more announcements coming!
In addition, as part of our Xmas in July sale, we are offering early bird tickets through July 31 ($20 for single day, and $30 for weekend pass). And this makes an excellent Xmas gift!
4 big-time anime voice actors
Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay welcomes 4 big-time anime voice actors who collectively portray 20 major and significant characters in popular anime shows (here’s the entire list). The voice actors portray anime characters from Tokyo Ghoul, My Hero Academia, Chainsaw Man, Dragon Ball, One Piece, Black Clover, Fairy Tail, One Piece, Attack on Titan, Dr. Stone, and more! The voice actors will lead panels as well as meet and greet fans at their booths (autograph and photo prices coming soon).
4 amazing guest cosplayers
Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay 2023 will feature four talented cosplayers that includes an expert sewist, armor builder, Blizzard gamer, and a recent top 4 finalist in a major national competition. The guest cosplayers — Seams Come True, Holtsclaw Cosplay, Cindrella Cosplay, and Avera Cosplay — will be hosts and judges of the cosplay contests, TikTok Film Festival, and lip sync competition. In addition, they will be leading panels.
1 seriously talented body painter and makeup/sfx expert
Body painting and makeup/SFX will be part of the festivities with expert body painter Nicole Hays, who competes throughout the U.S. and internationally. But she may best be known for her appearance in Skin Wars. She was a cast member of the bodypainting competition reality show that aired in August of 2014, and was hosted by supermodel Rebecca Romijn and featured fashion celebrity RuPaul. Nicole is in season 1 (full season 1 available on Hulu, and here’s a news story about her experience (below are examples of her work in the show)
Nicole will be hosting and judging the makeup/SFX contest as well as hosting 2 panels (one each day). In addition, you can watch her live, which includes getting yourself painted! (she’ll be taking commissions, get in line early!). More details coming. And one last thing: There will be a full body-painted model roaming throughout the event.
5 contests with $1,300 in prizes and cool medals
There are 5 contests that include cosplay, makeup/SFX, TikTok, and lip sync:
- 2 Cosplay Contests include Craftsmanship on Saturday ($500 cash prizes), and Runway on Sunday (trophies).
- 1 Makeup/SFX contest ($400 in cash prizes and trophies)
- 1 TikTok Film Festival ($200 in cash prizes and trophies)
- 1 Lip sync competition on ($200 in cash prizes and trophies)
daily scavenger hunt bingo + hourly con raffles
Hunt for clues or just pick up a raffle ticket. Prizes will range from tickets to other conventions to Pop figures and other merch. (maybe some themed cookies, too, if you’re nice enough)
panel applications are available
Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay 2023 is looking forward to offering a wide variety of fan-run panels. From trivia to tutorials, we want the weekend jam-packed with fan-led fun! And applications are available.
Xmas in july sale!
Get your early bird tickets today! (sale through July only) Ticket prices August 1 to December 1 are $25 for single day, and $40 for weekend pass. And tickets increase $5 at door to $30 single day pass, and $45 weekend pass.
P.S. Here’s a few snaps from last year!
Part of the family of St. Pete conventions
Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay is brought to you by the organizers of Anime St. Pete, St. Pete Comic Con, and Sunshine City Scare. The 4 annual conventions, which are at the historic Coliseum, are making St. Petersburg an up-and-coming convention destination.
