Cosplay is encouraged at Seattle Worldcon. So plan ahead and pack accordingly! Special costume-themed events will occur each day.
Wednesday: The Prop Contest
Show off your ingenuity and crafting prowess, or just come to be amazed by your peers! The Prop Contest has two categories: Prosthetic Devisions and Hand-Held Devices. No weapons though! Check out the full rules on the webpage and you can bring your devices on Wednesday to the event. No preregistration required!
Thursday: The Single Pattern Contest
On Thursday, don’t forget about the Single Pattern Contest! Make a bowling shirt or 1960s-style dress using a pattern specified on our website and dress it up for competition. Judging occurs on Thursday, and winners will be shown Friday at halftime at the masquerade.
Thursday: The Timey-Wimey Masked Ball
Come join us for a timey-wimey voyage through the very best parties, and dancing, in fantasy and science fiction film, television, and literature! Fancy a dance from Bilbo’s birthday bash, a Targaryen dragon dance, a wedding dance from District 12, or Wonderland’s Lobster Quadrille? Or maybe something less structured—twist the night away like you’re at the Umbrella Academy, get those arms flying like Mon Mothma at a Chandrilan wedding, or polka solo like River from Firefly—we’ll sample it all! We might even drop in on Bridgerton! Creative costumes from anywhere in space and time and masks (the masquerade kind) are encouraged, but if you don’t have fancy dress, come as you are, as long as you can dance in it! No partner needed and no experience required. All structured dances will be taught on the spot by our professional dance caller, Susan de Guardiola.
Friday: The Seattle Worldcon Masquerade
The feature event Friday evening is our iteration of the event that created modern cosplay as we know it—the Worldcon masquerade. See the competition or enter yourself at the Masquerade page.
Saturday: Emerald City in the Atomic Age
Saturday is retro future fashion day at Worldcon! Wear your retro-futuristic finest to con. Participants will be welcomed to a group costume meetup and photo at 3 p.m. in the Signature Lobby. If you like, keep wearing your retro future fashion to the Hugo Award Ceremony that evening!
Saturday: Bridgerton Timey-Wimey Ball
Enjoy a one last bit of timey-wimey dancing at our Bridgerton-theme ball, featuring dances in the over-the-top romantic style of the alternate-history television series Bridgerton and Queen Charlotteas well as the Regency-themed Doctor Who episode “Rogue!” Fantastical late 18th century-to-Regency costumes encouraged and admired, but any clothes you feel comfortable dancing in and can move easily are welcome. No partner is needed and no experience is required—all dances will be taught on the spot by our professional dance caller, Susan de Guardiola. Note: some of the dances for the timey-wimey balls will also be taught in the earlier sessions “Learn the Rogue Tango” and “Learn Bridgerton Dancing”, which those looking for extra practice may wish to attend.
Every Day: Earn a Hall Costume Ribbon
When you roam the halls of the Convention Center in your finery, you will not only be appreciated, you may be presented with an individualized hall costume recognition ribbon.
And More!
- Enjoy panels throughout the weekend in our costume track geared towards all levels of interest and experience. Sign up for a hands-on workshop and learn a new craft to up your costuming game!
- Marvel at a curated exhibit of amazing costumes on display with our Special Exhibits. Photography is allowed, but please save your touching for a separate “tactile” display of close-up costume bits and accessories.
- Visit our cosplay and costume repair station beside the Worldcon Cantina with tools, supplies, and help if you need it from costume experts.
- Visit the Dealers’ Room to buy amazing pieces that are ready-to-wear.
