Island FanCon: cosplay blast wraps up spring break

Sunday March 30, 2025 | LANGFORD, BC [Posted at 6 am | Updated 12:05 pm]

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends

---

Island FanCon is making a big splash in Langford on this last weekend of spring break.

Opening night was Friday March 28 and Saturday March 29 was well-attended. Today is the final day. Good weather has helped with attendance as well as some broader promotion this year.

Cosplayers and fans of all ages are showing up for the fun at City Centre Park (1089 Langford Parkway next to Starlight Stadium). The energy is fun and light; the cosplay world is about ‘everyone welcome’.

Right here on Vancouver Island, the cosplay event runs three days this year – Friday March 28, Saturday March 29, and today Sunday March 30 at City Centre Park from 11 am to 5 pm.

Island FanCon 2025 tickets can be purchased online now! Kids up to and including age 12 get in free.

Still not everyone knows what cosplay is, as overhead in the parking lot … a school-age child seeing the event signage and asking his father who didn’t know.

Sense of community:

Cosplay is fun for people of all ages. It helps build a sense of community. At a time when life can be stressful and uncertain, the fun of dress-up never gets old. It’s a great stress release and connects people.

Strong community and economic value:

Some people may still think it’s a wacky sort of activity to dress up in costumes and celebrate the fantasy worlds created by artists and filmmakers.

Cosplay conventions are run and entertaining for youth, families and creative folks of all ages. A lot of skill, time and effort goes into preparing costumes and organizing with friends.

This is healthy for families, communities and the local economy which gets a boost.

Economic boost:

The inaugural Island FanCon in April 2024 saw more than 3,000 attendees and showcased the vibrant community of fans and local businesses. Last year’s show contributed over $750,000 to the local economy.

Island FanCon 2025 is an opportunity for folks to meet pop culture and fandom celebrities and artists. It’s also a fun way to connect with like-minded artistic folk in the south Vancouver Island area.

Local businesses:

Local businesses and organizations that support youth and the arts have been invited to sponsor or collaborate with Island FanCon, says organizer Lonnie Eckardt.

Several local businesses enjoy an enthusiastic customer base at the Con.

Vendors are enjoying a business bounce-back since the years of the COVID pandemic.

Tickets online:

Tickets for Island FanCon 2025 can be purchased online: single day passes, three-day passes, and VIP passes.

Click here to purchase tickets for Island FanCon 2025.

===== RELATED:

• Island Fancon is finally here! March 28 to 30 in Langford (March 28, 2025)
• Island Fancon in Langford on last weekend of spring break (March 16, 2025)
• Speak-up! takes centre stage at Island FanCon 2025 (January 8, 2025)
• Inaugural Island FanCon contributes $750K to local economy (May 17, 2024)
• April 13 & 14: Island FanCon brings cosplay to Langford (event coverage / April 13, 2024)
• Island FanCon brings cosplay fun to Langford (event preview / April 7, 2024)

NEWS SECTIONS: LANGFORD | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT