Tampa Bay is getting its first-ever winter-themed holiday convention, aptly titled “Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay,” on December 10-11 at the Tampa Convention Center. The new convention is family-friendly and features comics, anime, science fiction, fantasy, and gaming as well as world-class cosplay.

“Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay is a way for nerds to celebrate the winter holiday in a geeked-out way,” said organizer Dewey Caruthers. “We expect many attendees to add a holiday spin to their cosplays,” he said.

Guests include anime voice actors, comic artists, pro cosplayers

The new event showcases 4 big-time anime voice actors, 4 nationally-known comic artists, and 8 of the nation’s top pro cosplayers. And all guests are involved in con activities like hosting panels and judging cosplay contests as well as posing for photos and signing merch.

Unique holiday photos

In addition, there will be several nerdy spaces for fans and cosplayers to snap unique holiday photos. For instance, Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay will feature an enormous 25-feet Christmas tree. And Santa will be there for photos, accompanied by a geeked-out version of elves.

Best holiday shopping in the universe for geeks and nerds

Making the event even more spectacular is the holiday shopping! Comic, anime, horror, science-fiction, and fantasy fans and cosplayers no longer need to purchase their holiday gifts at a local mall (yuck!) Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay will host more than 200 vendors that will create the best holiday shopping in the universe for geeks and nerds!

Convention organizer

Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay is brought to you by the organizers of St. Pete Comic Con, which drew large crowds and earned positive fan reviews as St. Petersburg’s first-ever comic convention earlier this year. In addition, these organizers are planning St. Petersburg’s first anime convention, called “Anime St. Pete,” that takes place September 17-18 at the Coliseum.