Baltimore Comic-Con and the Hard Rock Cafe Baltimore have once again joined forces to proudly present the 2025 Cosplay Contest! Hard Rock Cafe Baltimore returns as the 2025 Cosplay events sponsor, bringing back the internationally-recognized pop cultural brand and destination as the partner for one of the convention’s premier events. Baltimore Comic-Con will be held the weekend of October 17-19, 2025 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Tickets for admission to the event are available now!
The Baltimore Comic-Con Cosplay Photography Contest returns for a second year after a great start! This event, being held on Sunday at 2pm, will give photographers a chance to show off their behind-the-camera magic! They are a part of why some cosplayers look great, after all. Those who want to enter can register online HERE. Upon registration, instructions on how to submit photos and rules for the contest will be provided.
The Adult Cosplay Contest is being held on Saturday, October 18th at 4:30pm. All participants must be registered for the contest to be eligible to compete. Adult Cosplay Contest registration is available online HERE. There will be no day of, in-person registration.
Pre-judging will be happening throughout the day by appointment on Saturday, giving each contestant more time to spend on the show floor. Upon registration, an appointment will be created and can be adjusted upon request. We have some new rules this year, so make sure to check out the webpage with more details about this event.
Along with the Adult Cosplay Contest on Saturday, we are pleased to announce the return of the popular Adult Cosplay Showcase! The Showcase provides an opportunity for all cosplayers, regardless of whether or not they made their own outfit, to have a moment up on the Baltimore Comic-Con stage to strut their stuff for the audience and for the cameras. To register for this event, please visit the website. The event will start at 4pm, shortly before the Cosplay Contest.
The Children’s Cosplay Events will be held on Sunday, October 19th at 3pm in the ballroom on the 4th floor.
The Children’s Cosplay Showcase will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 3pm in the ballroom on the 4th floor. Alongside the Children’s Cosplay Contest will be the Children’s Cosplay Showcase, where anyone under the age of 18 can walk the stage and be celebrated for their work and their part in the cosplay community! Make sure to register online HERE to ensure your spot in the showcase! This event will start at 3pm.
The Children’s Cosplay Contest will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 3:30pm in the ballroom on the 4th floor. The Children’s Cosplay Contest registration is available online HERE. Kids 17 years and younger can register online OR day of for the event. There will, however, be a limited number of slots and if you are able to have a build book available, please bring one.
Cosplay Contest/Cosplay Showcase Schedule:
Saturday, October 18th
- 3:30pm – Showcase Registrants to Staging Area (4th floor)
- 3:45pm – Cosplay Contest participants to the Staging Area (4th floor)
- 4:00pm – Cosplay Showcase Begins
- 4:30pm – Adult Cosplay Contest Begins
Sunday, October 19th
- 10:00am – Children’s Cosplay On-Site Registration begins
- 12:30pm – Children’s Cosplay On-Site Registration ends
- 2:00pm – Cosplay Photography Contest begins
- 2:30pm – Children’s Cosplay Showcase Participants report to Staging Area
- 2:45pm – Children’s Cosplay Contest Participants Report to Staging Area
- 3:00pm – Children’s Cosplay Showcase Begins
- 3:30pm – Children’s Cosplay Contest Begins
PRIZES
Overall Best Cosplay (Best in Show)
- $1,000 Grand Prize in Cash for Adults
Advanced Individual:
- 1st place – $250 Cash
- Runner Up – $125 Cash
Intermediate Individual:
- 1st Place – $225 Cash for First Place
- Runner Up – $100 Cash for Runner-Up
Novice Individual:
- 1st Place – $125 Cash for First Place
- Runner Up – $75 Cash for Runner-Up
Cosplay Photography:
- 1st Place – $150 Cash for First Place
- Runner Up – $125 Cash for Runner-Up
Judges’ Awards:
- $50 Hard Rock Cafe gift cards will be awarded to three adult contestants that the judges believe deserve special recognition
Kids Prizes in each of the Newborn to Age 11 and Age 12-17 categories:
- $100 Grand Prize in Cash for Kids Best in Show
- $50 Cash for First Place in category
- $25 Cash for Runner-Up in category
Each winner will also receive free admittance to the Baltimore Comic-Con in 2025!
Judges for the 2025 Cosplay Programming
Adult Contest
Sydney Fryer
Sydney is a cosplayer, costumer, and prop maker from Baltimore City who has been cosplaying for 7 years. She is the track head for Balticon’s costuming and maker’s track, and a master level cosplayer with many awards under her belt, most recently winning Best in Show at Farpoint in 2025. She is a jack of all trades, having received multiple craftsmanship awards for her foam work and wig making. She is passionate about making cosplay accessible and enjoyable for all.
Joe and Joeleen Torres
Crystal Soul Cosplay is a married cosplay duo comprised of Joe (Grimm6) and Joleen (Chaos Claire). Starting their cosplay career between 2004 and 2006, they have done over 50+ cosplays and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. When not cosplaying at a convention, they love bringing characters to life at hospital visits and bringing smiles.
Joe and Joleen love cosplaying from their favorite games, anime, manga, and more. Between the duo, Joe excels in arms and armor making, while Joleen excels in wig styling and sewing. Some of their favorite and award-winning cosplays are Barioth Bow Hunter and Hinoa the Quest Maiden from Monster Hunter Rise, Vigilante Deku and Ochaco from My Hero Academia, and Hiccup and Astrid from How to Train Your Dragon.
While at conventions, they love presenting panels and sharing their knowledge with everyone. They are known for their out-of-the-box-style thinking and willingness to help new or older cosplayers. If you see them, please stop them and say hi!
Kids Contest
Liz Scott
SewGhostlycosplay is a disabled cosplayer from Baltimore with nearly 20 years of cosplay experience. Self-taught on most construction methods, they love to find creative and affordable ways to create iconic looks, finding ways to reuse and recycle things and proving that sometimes you just need a different perspective when creating. Active in costume charity groups for the last 15 years, they find that the opportunity to support and give back to the community around them is one of the best things about cosplay. They are always willing to share their methods of creation with other cosplayers and can be found on Instagram @Sewghostlycosplay
Ariel Scotten
Ariel Scotten, also known as Part of Your World Cosplay, has been bringing characters to life for over 15 years. With a deep love for creativity and community, Ariel believes that cosplay is for everyone, no matter your age, background, or skill level. Since 2022, she has participated in seven cosplay competitions across conventions in the DMV area, earning two major awards. Whether a first-time cosplayer or a Master competitor, Ariel hopes to inspire others to be proud, be kind, and most importantly, have fun!
Niesha Wongus
SweetPea is a Maryland-based cosplayer who got her first taste of con life at Baltimore Comic-Con over ten years ago. Since then, she has attended many events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. She enjoys cosplaying characters from video games, comics, movies, and more. She considers herself a perpetual learner and is always eager to hone her existing skills or develop new ones. When not cosplaying or crafting, she can usually be found engaging in one of her other passions: the art of Belly Dance!
Cosplay Photography Contest
John Krebs
John discovered his love for photography in 2011 when he traveled Europe for 4 months and
captured every moment. He began doing cosplay photography in 2022 when he attended his first Costume and Camera (formerly DC Cosplay Photoshoots) and has been hooked ever since. In 2025, he joined Costume and Camera’s board of directors. He learned so much from cosplay photography and uses these skills to photograph concerts for bands like Fall Out Boy, Halestorm, and the Bare Naked Ladies! His passion for photography runs deep and has resulted in being published in Creative Cosplay Magazine, calendars, art galleries, and band’s social media.
Angela Melito
Angela has loved photography ever since she was a kid and received a Polaroid camera as a Christmas gift. She began doing cosplay photography in 2017 when she attended her first Costume and Camera (formerly DC Cosplay Photo Shoots) event. In March 2022, Angela joined Costume and Camera’s board of directors and she is currently Vice President and Director of Events. Her passion for cosplay photography has resulted in her work being published in Cosplayzine, calendars, and shown in art galleries.
Brad Behles
Brad is currently the secretary for Costume and Camera (formerly DC Cosplay Photo Shoots) since 2023. An alumnus of McDaniel College, Brad is a long-time portraiture photographer in the DMV area and has been traveling to conventions along the Mid-Atlantic since 2014. His enthusiasm for creating bold, narrative cosplay photography has been featured in Otaku USA, Cosplayzine, calendars, and galleries in the DMV area.
