WonderCon 2025: Full Schedule

1:00pm PDT

Bootleg Cosplay

Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Are you a cosplay goblin? Have you thrown together more than one cosplay on a hope and a prayer? Or are you perhaps a cosplay perfectionist trying to embrace the "perfect is the enemy of good" philosophy? SheProp shows how to create amazing cosplays on a budget, as well as how to make sustainable crafting choices while building. The panelists are pros at creating amazing cosplays without breaking the bank (or even without knowing how to use a sewing machine). They will talk about garment hacking, thrift cosplay, and other sustainable costuming practices. Bring your questions and get ready to learn; audience participation is highly encouraged.

Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300E

1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Education

1:00pm PDT

It’s a Time Machine, Baby!: 900 1970s El Cortez SDCC Photos from the Shel Dorf Archives

Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Room 211

Comic-Con founder Shel Dorf used two 35mm film cameras and a medium-format film camera to shoot pictures at Comic-Con in its early years. Greg Koudoulian has digitized over 900 of Shel's photos. Shel was a photojournalist at the Detroit Free Press from 1953 to 1968 and created the Detroit Triple Fan Fair before moving to San Diego. David Glanzer and Greg will discover old pals from decades ago during this photo slide show presentation and discussion.

Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211

1: Programs, Animation, Books, Cosplay, Kids, Superheroes

4:00pm PDT

Smartphone Photography for Cosplayers

Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Room 300E

Scott Okuna (photographer, Swallowtail Photo Studio) discusses how cosplayers and convention attendees can generate content and take better photos using their phone cameras. This panel will cover basic principles of photography, lighting, and equipment with live demonstrations.

Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300E

1: Programs, Cosplay, Seminars & Workshops

4:30pm PDT

Gay Geeks and Where to Find Them

Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT

Room 300C

Nicole Maines (actress and writer), Emmett Yonemura (director, X-Men '97), DJ Croft (cosplayer), and D'Manda Martini (drag artist) gather to discuss their careers and projects, seeking diversity and representation, and how being a member of the community influenced their work. Moderated by Julian Jetson (host and stylist).

Friday March 28, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 300C

1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Comics, Cosplay, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Television, Writers & Writing

7:30pm PDT

The Dad Batch Podcast: Family Reunion

Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT

Room 208

The hosts of the Dad Batch Podcast discuss all things prop and costume building, pop culture, and especially Star Wars. Come ready to ask questions and show off what's on your workbench.

Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 208

1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Movies, Podcasts, Superheroes, Television

1:00pm PDT

2nd Annual All in the Details: Costume, Makeup, and Hair Design for Film and TV

Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Room 300A

Step behind the curtain of popular film and television projects to discover what it takes to bring characters to life! Composers, costume designers, makeup artists, and hair designers share their creative process and reveal how they transform actors into unforgettable characters. Featuring director Carlos Baena (Star Trek: Unification), prosthetics designer Chris Bridges of Gaslight FX (Heretic), costume designer Cris Araujo (Uglies), makeup department head Desiree Falcon (Thelma), co-composer Michael Paraskevas (Agatha All Along), and composer Tim Kelly (Watchmen Chapter I and II). Moderated by actor Chris Villain. Part 3 of Impact24 PR’s Panel Superblock.

Saturday March 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

2:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Yaya Han

Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Room 300E

This is your chance to get to know WonderCon special guest Yaya Han as a designer, cosplayer, and author. Ask her questions on cosplay-related topics, as well as her experiences going to cons, making costumes, dressing up, and traveling worldwide.

Special Guests

Yaya Han

WonderCon Special Guest

Yaya Han is a cosplayer, designer, and author with more than 20 years of activity in the fandom world. Yaya has made over 400 costumes and has been featured in two U.S. network TV shows, countless magazines, books, newspapers, and online media. Yaya’s work has impacted cosplay profoundly... Read More →

Saturday March 29, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E

1: Programs, Books, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Frankensteining Patterns for Cosplay

Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Room 300E

Creating cosplays can be a challenge, from patterning to sewing and more. It can be even more of a challenge to know where to start. Join Hylian Cream, a master-level cosplayer, sewing educator, and Janome maker, in learning how to "Frankenstein" commercial sewing patterns into the perfect fit for your next cosplay build. This program will include interactive elements and go over important, beginner-friendly details to help you get started.

Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300E

1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Fandom, Seminars & Workshops

3:30pm PDT

Makeup Design for Film and Television

Saturday March 29, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT

Room 300C

WonderCon special guest and Emmy Award–winning makeup designer Neville Page discusses the processes, challenges, and thrills of creating practical makeup for film and television. He will be sharing with you how he works with the writers and producers from the very beginning of a project all the way through to the post-process and everything in between.

Special Guests

Neville Page

WonderCon Special Guest

Neville Page is an Emmy Award–winning designer, concept artist, and educator whose work has shaped some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, including Avatar, Star Trek, Tron: Legacy, and Cloverfield. Originally from England, he studied at the Art Center College of Design before... Read More →

Saturday March 29, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 300C

1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

How to Group Cosplay

Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

Room 300E

Ever wondered what it’s like to be in a group cosplay? What about one that went viral? This program is for those looking to expand not only their group cosplays but their community as well. But where do you start? Panelists will discuss the beginning stages of concept to execution. Get your friends together and get organized, from spreadsheets, Facebook groups, meetings, cohesive patterns, and fabrication all the way down to scheduling meetups and photo shoots, as well as utilizing social media to do those latest trends.

Saturday March 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300E

1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Fandom, Seminars & Workshops

8:30pm PDT

The 2025 WonderCon Masquerade

Saturday March 29, 2025 8:30pm - 11:00pm PDT

North 200A

The annual onstage costume competition celebrates the amazing cosplay creativity and talents of WonderCon attendees. Not a dance or party, the masquerade is a series of onstage presentations of terrific fan-crafted costumes, with trophies, generous cash prizes, and other awards, and judged by professional costume designers. The guest mistress of ceremonies will be Ashley Eckstein (founder of the Her Universe fashion and lifestyle brand, and the voice of Ahsoka Tano for Star Wars: The Clone Wars,Star Wars: Rebels,Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, and more). There will also be special entertainment during the judging break with a new performance by the talented Corps Dance Crew, and then a big new Star Wars–inspired show by the amazing Saber Guild lightsaber group. Doors will open at 8:00 PM for audience seating, but the line for choice seating always starts to form earlier. No flash photography, please.

Saturday March 29, 2025 8:30pm - 11:00pm PDT
North 200A

1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Music, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Video Games

11:00am PDT

Cosplay Clubs for People with Disabilities

Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Room 300E

Claudia Birmingham, Jim DiRosa, Donna Bawolski, and Andrea Romo (founding parents of the dD Cosplay Club for Persons with Disabilities) and Bryce Birmingham, Luis DiRosa, Dayna Bawolski, and Brandon Estribi (founding members of the dD Cosplay Club) discuss the benefits of cosplay for persons with disabilities, along with how to start and run your own cosplay club. Moderated by Chris Birmingham (creator of the superhero dDominator, founder of the nonprofit ddominatordotnet inc., and creator of the dD Cosplay Club for Persons with Disabilities).

Sunday March 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300E

1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Superheroes

12:00pm PDT

The Un-Masquerade: Red Carpet Edition

Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Room 300E

Lights, camera, cosplay! This WonderCon, be the star of the con and showcase your cosplay! Panelists Angela DiMartino (D&D aficionado), Kelly Dreyer (cosplayer), Lauren Emery (cosplayer), Aimee Tushinsky (cosplayer), and Chris Tushinsky (comic aficionado) will conduct red-carpet-style interviews (on an actual red “carpet”) of you and your cosplay, including that quintessential question, “Who are you wearing?”

Sunday March 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300E

1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom

2:00pm PDT

Princess and Superhero Storytime with Kids Can Cosplay

Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Room 300E

Kids of all ages, come hear stories read by some of your favorite princesses and superheroes! Children and adults can also learn more about working with our causeplay charity and becoming a volunteer. After stories, follow cosplayers to the KCC booth on the show floor for meet-and-greets, photo ops, and booth giveaways. KCC volunteer character readers include Elemental Cosplay, Kat Ristow, James Johnson, Stefanie Carlson, Jennifer Hinojosa, Johnny Hinojosa, Leana Ahmed, Wendy Newton, and Trevor Newton.

Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300E

1: Programs, Animation, Books, Cosplay, Kids, Superheroes

2:00pm PDT

The Beauty in the Beast: Unlocking Design Secrets with Neville Page

Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Room 300A

From elegant to eerie, concept design is all about finding the beauty in every creation. Emmy Award–winning artist Neville Page (Avatar, Star Trek, Cloverfield) takes you behind the scenes of his upcoming book, revealing his creative process through exclusive footage and never-before-seen insights. Explore how form, function, and storytelling merge to create iconic designs in film, TV, and beyond. Whether you're an artist, a designer, or a fan of cinematic world-building, this is your chance to witness creativity in action and gain inspiration from one of the industry's leading visionaries.

Special Guests

Neville Page

WonderCon Special Guest

Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Movies, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing