Everything You Need to Know About the Cosplay Zone at Pyrkon 2026

10 June 2026

Contest Time!

We will have contests that have been attracting the most creative makers—who design and craft their costumes from scratch—for years. It is impossible to talk about the Cosplay Zone without mentioning the Masquerade (Maskarada), one of the most recognizable and highly anticipated events of the entire Pyrkon programme. It is during this unique competition that talented costume creators and performers, who have spent long months working on their projects, meet on stage. Participants dazzle the audience not only with their costume craftsmanship but also with their prepared performances, creativity, and ability to fully embody their characters.

The Masquerade isn’t the only competitive attraction in the Cosplay Zone. You will also find the Own Character Contest, a space for those who want to present their original designs, reinterpretations, or unique visions of well-known pop culture characters. As part of this competition, the CD PROJEKT RED Special Award will be granted to a participant whose costume is inspired by the universes created by the studio. Meanwhile, the Pyrkon Cosplay Photo competition allows you to showcase your photographic talent and storytelling skills through pictures. The submitted works will be evaluated by experienced judges you’ve already had the chance to meet in our previous announcements.

Of course, that’s not all. The Cosplay Zone also features costume and photography exhibitions, allowing you to admire the creators’ craftsmanship up close. There will also be attractions for those who are just starting their cosplay adventure. The Open Cosplay Showcase is an event where the stage will be open to anyone interested for a full hour—that’s exactly where you can show off your costume and feel the atmosphere of a true cosplay show.

A Cosplay Space Full of Inspiration

The Cosplay Zone is also a space designed with the needs of the creators themselves in mind. On-site, you will find a comfortable changing room equipped with mirrors, making getting into costume much easier. In case of an emergency, the Cospital—a quick costume repair station—will come to your rescue. For a moment of rest, you can head to the relaxation zone prepared by Rockwool.

This year, the Cosplay Zone will also invite you to the world of an intriguing fantasy ball known as the Mirror Ball. Attendees can look forward to lectures dedicated to preparing for such an event, creating appropriate stylizations, and building a magical atmosphere. A morning tea with the Queen will be an additional, pretty special, attraction. To participate, you must sign up using the Workshop Zone form.

Attendees can also expect a unique fashion show prepared by Wasted Couture. However, it won’t be a classic costume presentation, but rather a fascinating journey behind the scenes of their creation. During the event, you will see original designs inspired by fantasy, post-apo, cosplay, and pop culture. Thanks to the commentary by Viola Sychowska, you’ll learn the stories behind individual outfits and the secrets of professional costume designers’ work.

You will also be able to watch comic book artists and illustrators live sketching and drawing costumed models. It’s a unique opportunity to take a peek into the artists’ workflow and see how fantastic characters get a new life on paper.

Those who want to develop their skills will be able to take advantage of numerous lectures and technical workshops. The programme includes, among other things, sessions dedicated to the basics of bodypainting and cosplay makeup.

The Cosplay Zone also offers meetings with cosplayers during Meet & Greets. The Project League and Dragon Cosplay Team camps have also prepared their own attractions. All of this ensures that the Cosplay Zone will once again become a meeting place for enthusiasts, creators, and lovers of fantastic worlds.

Whether you are coming to Pyrkon in full cosplay or just want to admire the results of other creators’ hard work, the Cosplay Zone will be a place you simply cannot miss!