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:
And there are more announcements coming to include comic artists, video games, and more.
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!
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).
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.
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.
RESO! is a 3-member idol group who write and perform their own music. Idol groups are best known for their matching costumes, high energy dance routines, and expert lip syncing. Come join in on the fun! Additionally, there will be other performances at Winter Wonder Fest you won’t want to miss! More announcements coming soon.
There are 6 contests that include cosplay, makeup/SFX, TikTok, and lip sync:
Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay is going afterhours!
Friday, December 1 from 7pm-10pm will be a pub crawl in downtown St. Pete! Lots of prizes and contests for those who are fluent in anime trivia. Oh, and drink specials, too. This will be a ticketed event. More announcements coming.
Saturday, December 2 from 8pm-midnight will bean 18-up party. In one room is a anime-themed DJ/dance party, while across the hall are live performances in an auditorium. Oh, and the bar is in the middle. This will be a ticketed event. More announcements coming, including applications for live performances.
Hunt for clues or just pick up a raffle ticket. Each day there will be 1 scavenger hunt, and 2 raffles (1 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon). Prizes will range from tickets to other conventions to Pop figures and other merch. (maybe some themed cookies, too, if you’re nice enough)
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.
We have lots more announcements that include comic artists and video games as well as more live performances to add to our Winter Wonder Fest. And the event will become a foodie paradise (no more bad convention food like old hot dogs and greasy fries- we’re going gourmet). Stay tuned (follow us on Instagram and Facebook)
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.
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.
Sign up to get the latest information as it’s released!
Check out Florida Comic Cons for more events.