The 2022 Masquerade on-stage costume competition (or Cosplay Competition for those who favor that term), a tradition at Comic-Con from almost its beginning, will be Saturday evening, July 23, starting at 8:30 p.m. The event celebrates not only the contribution of costuming to the popular arts, but also the amazing creations that our attendees make and bring to the convention. The costume presentations, intermission entertainment, and then awards presentation will run a bit over 2 hours and be set in the Convention Center’s 4,000-seat Ballroom 20. Not a dance or party as the name may imply, it is more akin to a talent show set on a large stage before an audience, showcasing amazing costumes crafted by our non-professional but still very creative and talented attendees. Most costumes will be impressive re-creations from movies, television, anime, comic books, fantasy, Broadway shows, video games, and history; others will be completely original designs from the imagination. Some will be solo entries; others will be groups with a shared theme. All genres are welcome, and no purchased costumes are allowed. The event is free to participate in, or to have a seat in the audience, for anyone with a convention badge valid for Saturday. Masquerade tickets assure a seat, but not required: Rather than see attendees line up for hours to be certain they get a seat, free tickets will be given out at 12 noon on Saturday to those lining up near Ballroom 20 and will be available again from 3-5 p.m. at the Masquerade Desk until all are given out. Once you have your ticket you are guaranteed a seat, and you can go enjoy other programming and line up later knowing there’s a chair for you. After the ticket-holders line has gone into the ballroom, it becomes open seating for anyone who shows up until the room is filled. Comic-Con International on Facebook + Instagram + @Comic_Con on Twitter
