Suit Up. Take the Stage.

Cosplay & Costume Contest

C2PC is hosting a Cosplay & Costume Contest every day of the Expo! Whether your costume is handmade, assembled, purchased, modified, or somewhere in between, you're invited to take the stage. This contest is about creativity, fandom, presentation, and having fun.

Three days. Three chances to shine.

Friday, October 30

7:00 PM

Sign-up closes at 6:30 PM — 30 minutes before the contest.

Saturday, October 31

4:00 PM

Sign-up closes at 3:30 PM — 30 minutes before the contest.

Sunday, November 1

4:00 PM

Sign-up closes at 3:30 PM — 30 minutes before the contest.

Main Stage • Concourse

All fandoms welcome. Comics, movies, television, anime, gaming, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, superheroes, villains, retro characters and more.

How It Works

  • Three judges score the contest. Contestants compete in rounds of up to 10.
  • Each contestant gets an identifying paddle number from 1–10 for their round. Show your number to the judges, then take approximately 30–45 seconds on stage to pose, present, and bring your character to life.
  • If more than 10 contestants enter, another numbered round begins. Judges can distinguish entries as Round 1 / #7, Round 2 / #7, and so on.
  • Groups may enter together and count as one contestant entry and one number.

Judging

Each of the three judges scores every contestant from 1–10 in four categories:

  1. Costume & Overall Look

    Visual impact, completeness, details, accessories and makeup.

  2. Creativity & Originality

    Creative interpretation, unique touches, mashups and interesting ideas.

  3. Character & Posing

    How you present your character through poses, expressions and movement.

  4. Stage Presence / Geek Factor

    Confidence, entertainment value, personality and that overall “wow” moment.

Up to 40 points per judge • 120 points total

Craftsmanship is not a required scored category — handmade costumes are not required. Judges may recognize exceptional craftsmanship separately at their discretion. Judges' decisions are final.

Rules & Participation

  • Purchased, assembled, modified and handmade costumes are all welcome. Handmade costumes are not required.
  • Enter individually or as a group.
  • One contest per costume for the weekend. You may enter again on another day with a different costume.
  • Costumes and props must comply with C2PC event, prop-weapon and family-friendly policies.
  • Contestants must be able to safely enter and exit the stage area.
  • No throwing objects, liquids, glitter or confetti, pyrotechnics, open flames, or anything that leaves material on the stage.
  • C2PC staff may stop a presentation for safety or inappropriate content. Judges' decisions are final.

Come dressed. Take the stage. Get your geek on.

See the schedule