Friday March 28, 2025 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Island FanCon will be making a big splash in Langford on this last weekend of spring break.
Right here on Vancouver Island, the cosplay event runs three days this year – Friday March 28, Saturday March 29, and Sunday March 30 at City Centre Park (1089 Langford Parkway next to Starlight Stadiuim).
Let’s call this a cosplay long weekend!
The popular event is one day longer than last year, when the two-day show attracted strong crowds. There’s a thirst for more!
Island FanCon 2025 tickets can be purchased online now! Kids up to and including age 12 get in free.
High school students might have a free-entry offer from their schools; Island FanCon made that offer available through several local secondary schools for distribution through teachers.
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.
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.
Celebrity guests:
Celebrity guests so far for 2025 include Georges ‘Rush’ St-Pierre, Tawny Newsome, Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Adrian Hough, and David Anders.
Also Aleks Paunovic, Leanne Lapp, Chelsey Reist, Lee Majdoub, Lee Arenberg, Michael Coleman, Ashleigh Ball, Allisa Swanson, Ken & Joan & Alex Steacy, Andrew Thomas, Renee Nault, Doug Savage, Claire Lim, Vega Cos, Wet Bread Cosplay, Draco Mac,
Watch for three team ups!
- The 100 Team-up (Chelsey Reist, who played Harper McIntyre; Tasya Teles, who was Echo; Lee Majdoub, who appeared as Nelson; and Aleks Paunovic, who played Gustus!).
- Zombie Team-up (David Anders as Blaine “DeBeers” McDonough Leanne Lapp as Rita Du Clark Aleks Paunovic as Julien Dupont),
- Once Upon a Time Team-up (with With Michael Coleman and Lee Arenberg).
Cosplay contest:
There will be a cosplay contest in three categories:
- Novice: New cosplayers and those without a cosplay contest award.
- Journeyman: Cosplayers who have some experience and may have won previous awards.
- Masters: Experienced cosplayers who have the confidence to participate against the best of the best.
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.
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 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