Cosplay
Step into a world where heroes, villains, and legendary characters walk among us! Enjoy the spectacle of creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that brings fan-favorite universes to life. Whether you're a seasoned cosplayer debuting your latest masterpiece or a fan ready to marvel at stunning transformations, this is the place where imagination knows no bounds!
Dress in Your Best
Dress in Your Best
This is the Way: To Forge Your Own Mandalorian Armor
Have you ever wanted to make Mandalorian Armor, but you just weren't sure where to start? Come watch the Arizona Mando Mercs of Shonare Vhekadla Clan forge a set of Mandalorian Armor live and in person! Learn techniques, tips and tricks to building your own beskar. This is the way.
Saturday
Keeping the Illusion: How to Pose the Superhero Way
Join the Arizona Avengers for a workshop on staying in character while cosplaying. When a cosplayer dons a superhero costume the illusion they create is especially important when working with kids. They'll cover everything from posing for pictures to staying true to your character while interacting with the public.
Friday
Fit Your Cosplay in the Bag: Practical Tips for Traveling with Large Builds
We share what we’ve learned traveling with major builds like Alphonse, Heimdall, and Gang Orca. From flights to road trips and transit, we cover smart packing strategies to keep cosplay safe, organized, and con-ready—no matter how bulky, armored, or awkward your build may be.
Sunday
Embellishing the Store Bought Cosplay
With store bought cosplays/costumes becoming more accessible and inexpensive, new and experienced cosplayers alike are investing in mass produced cosplays. Here’s how you can style a store bought cosplay to be as unique as if you made it yourself. This is a beginner crafter friendly how-to panel with minimal sewing needs.
Saturday
Roast the Justice League Arizona
Have you ever really wanted to tell Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman what you REALLY think of them??? Well now is your chance! In this COMPETITIVE Roast, you get the chance to face off against other members of the crowd to throw zingers at the heroes of the Justice League Arizona! PG and Family Friendly! Audience members compete against each other until the ultimate roaster is declared! You might have a villain or two help you!
Friday
Redefining the Cosplay Mold
We will help cosplayers who don’t fit the standard size chart feel confident and empowered. We will share our personal journey and techniques we use to design, build, and adapt cosplays for our bodies. Hear how to choose the right materials, modify patterns and make comfort a priority.
Friday
Cosplay Convos
Cosplay Convos is an interactive family panel in which veteran and younger cosplayers from across the board speak and answer questions about: the cosplay community, and the importance of mental health regarding and relating to cosplay. There will a special Huntrix inspired performance and short dance lesson at the end!
Sunday
Let's Get Lit: Cosplay Lighting Basics
Lighting can take a costume from basic to incredible, but it doesn't have to be hard! Come learn how Schrei205 tackles fully lit armor builds and props, as well as see a live demonstration of just how simple it can be to get started with cosplay lighting.
Saturday
Creating Safe Space and Cultivating Consent in Nerdy Culture
This open forum will speak to the need to develop a safer culture in nerdy "third spaces". We will explore topics such as normalizing consent on the con floor, best praxis for photoshoots, and how we together can spearhead a safe space for everyone.
Saturday
Say Yes to the Dress: Movie Weddings Edition
Did you watch Randy help brides pick out the perfect gown and think “I could do that”? Well now’s your chance! We will be going through the rack of some of the most infamous wedding dresses from movies and TV shows. Fan Fusion, will you think these dresses are nothing but messes, or are you saying “yes to the dress”?
Sunday
Compliment Dueling
Steampunk culture requires, nay - demands - the use of a well-turned phrase. In this tournament-style game show panel, competitors will try to best their opponents in a battle of wits, using compliments! Kat Shakespeare presides over the well-mannered showdowns and crown the winner Grand Champion of Compliments! Suitable for all ages. Prizes given!
Friday
Gijinka Making: Cosplaying Non-Humans
Gijinka is a popular cosplay, design style, and art form that involves creating human designs for non-human characters. Katnip Cosplay will demonstrate how to make gijinka designs for illustration and cosplay for characters like Pokemon, animals, mascots, and monsters.
Saturday
A Blind Date in Deepspace (18+)
Do you enjoy those blind date variety shows? Do you want to have a chance to try your hand at being in one? What if the very person you get to play with was your favorite love interest from Love an Deepspace? Well this could be your lucky day. Join Caleb, Rafayel, Sylus, Xavier, and Zayne as we see who they would take on a second date. Are you up for the challenge?
Friday
Cosplay Court Case: Night Court (18+)
ATTENTION FAN FUSION COSPLAYERS! You have been served, you (your cosplay character) is being charged with sins against humanity. Will you come out innocent? Guilty? Or will you plead insanity? The Honorless Judge Cryokor will pass down the verdict! No case is too raunchy for this court room! Audience participation highly encouraged!
Friday
Strut Your Stuff (18+)
Big, bold, brazen and beautiful! All Inclusive and Belonging! Superheroes, furries, zombies, anime otaku, sci-fi fans, video game characters, cosplayers, crossplayers and those in casual dress will dance, prance and STRUT.
Sign-ups for individual performers, groups, and volunteers open at 8:30 PM. You can choose your song or have a song chosen for you if feel adventurous.
Saturday
Cosplay Dance Showcase
If appreciating the costuming arts of our local community isn't awe-inducing enough, some of the incredible talents creating stunning cosplays know how to move in them and are uniting to bring you sixty minutes of choreographed dance to enrapture you with both arts at once.
Saturday
I Like Big Props (and I Cannot Lie)
You other nerds can't deny. When a sword walks in with a 5 foot blade, you get stunned! Big props are pretty cool… they can also be a big pain in the neck. They can be intimidating but what if I told you “you can do it” with some easy steps and tips you to could be turning heads at your next convention.
Friday
Draw Me Like... Cosplay FIgure Drawing (18+)
Artists, it's a different session of Cosplay figure drawing, where there are spicier cosplays by our models for you to flex your art skills. We are building up through larger increments of time, and look forward to what this collaboration will bring.
Saturday
Engineering Your Cosplay For Success
Creating cosplay can, at times, be daunting. Especially when you want to wear big armor, commit to temporary modification or use special effects makeup to completely alter your appearance. Join ThermoAz and Friends as they chat through methods of engineering cosplay to fit comfortably, transport easily and last all day!
Saturday
The Roast of Invincible (18+)
They say Viltrumites' only weak spot is their egos. So come along with us as we target the Viltrum empire and drag the characters of Invincible the way Omni Man dragged his son through Chicago. We’ll be watching this family drama unfold before us like an extra messy episode of Maury. Nobody is safe in this episode of [Title Card]
Saturday
Final Boss Body Art Royale
There can only be one winner! The road to the crown involves unexpected paint, props, and four artists going head to head. With twists, turns, and an audience challenge you won't soon forget, these competitors are transforming ordinary humans into the extraordinary to determine who is the "Final Boss."
Saturday
Taming the Toxic Tool Bench: Safety in the Maker Space
Have you pondered how toxic the materials are in your workshop? Join our team of experienced cosplayers and scientists for a discussion of hazards in the maker space and how to ensure your health and say while fabricating your cosplay costumes and creations.
Sunday
Cosplaying with Disabilities
For many people with disabilities, cosplay represents a way to make new friends who share similar interests. Hear from disabled cosplayers about why they cosplay and how they go about their craft. Learn tips that have helped them while cosplaying with their conditions and find representation for conditions like yours in your favorite characters!
Sunday
Whose Cosplay is it Anyway
You've seen Drew Carey and his team react to prompts on the fly with hilarious results. Now, let's do the same, but in cosplay! What would happen if Gojo and All Might had to order food? What about Natsu and Frieren having to figure out a murder mystery with a variety of characters in a lineup? Well wonder no more! Join in the fun as your favorite character or view from the sidelines and see what shenanigans unfold!"
Friday
Braving the Masses: Surviving Your Cosplay
Cosplayers and Costumers spend weeks and months prepping their amazing outfits for conventions - but what are their secrets to wearing it all day and what do you do if something breaks or goes wrong? Join our veteran cosplayers and costumers as they give you the low down on what you can do to show off your hard work, and survive it!
Saturday
Youth Masquerade
Youth from birth to 15 years old are invited to participate in the all-youth masquerade and fashion show! Join us for 2 hours of fun with experienced cosplayers advising and guiding you down the runway.
Online Forms are due Saturday 05/30/26.
Please feel free to sign-up on-site if this deadline is missed.
Parental/Legal Guardian authorization must be attained prior to participation.
Sunday
Cosplay Court Case
ATTENTION FAN FUSION COSPLAYERS! You have been served, you (your cosplay character) is being charged with sins against humanity. Will you come out innocent? Guilty? Or will you plead insanity? The Honorless Judge Cryokor will pass down the verdict! Audience participation highly encouraged!
Sunday
See the Lewks
🦸 Jaw-Dropping Costumes – Witness an endless parade of incredible cosplays, from screen-accurate replicas to bold, original interpretations!
🎭 Cosplay Meetups – Join forces with fellow fans as entire fandoms unite for epic showcases and themed gatherings.
Photo Ops 📸
Strike a pose in front of immersive backdrops, capture cinematic group shots, and snap selfies with your favorite characters!
Cosplay Competitions 👑
Show off your hard work and battle for glory in contests judged by professionals!