The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) 2025 ran over the weekend of April 11-13 and we are on site to get you some great cosplay photos and talk about the con.
Another C2E2 has come and gone, but thankfully there’s always next year to look forward to. Over the course of the weekend, I had the chance to speak with many vendors and attendees. Vendors said they sold out of quite a few things, and the attendees mentioned to me about how the convention had such a positive vibe to it. Not only were they having fun, but everyone was so supportive of one another and lots of great connections were made. For having more than 100,000 attendees over the course of 3 days with minimal hiccups is something to be applauded, and ReedPop always does well in putting on this show.
The only real complaints I heard about were long lines for photo ops and autographs – taking multiple hours for one celebrity, or having to coming back multiple time throughout the day. Unfortunately a lot of this would not have been avoidable due to the high profile or popular nature of many of the guests, but even so no one seemed to truly be upset about this and made the best of the situation that they could, making friends while in line or coming prepared for the long waits.
Check out our other C2E2 2025 Articles and Photos:
Friday Photos
– Pt. 1
– Pt. 2
– Pt. 3
Saturday Photos
– Pt. 1
– Pt. 2
– Pt. 3
– Pt. 4
– Pt. 5Sunday Photos
– Pt. 1
– Pt. 2
– Pt. 3Check out our coverage in Previous years – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
There was something interesting about the panel programming this year, and I wasn’t the only one to notice it. There certainly was a wide breadth in the variety of panels that were put on, but it was notable there were not a lot of cosplay panels this year. There were a number of “make and take” panels, where attendees would get hands-on instruction of how to make something specific under the eye of the panelists, and there were live demonstrations at the DePaul Cosplay Repair Booth, but there were not many were the panelists talked about specific aspects of cosplay. In the past, we have had panels about charity cosplay, embroidery, panels geared toward those interested in participating in cosplay competitions, working with electronics, and so forth, but not so much this year. Not to say there weren’t *any*, as I attended panels about promoting body positivity and inclusion in the cosplay community, in addition to others. Another factor might have been that there was no panel area in Cosplay Central itself like there has been in years past, meaning any cosplay-oriented panels had to take place in the panel rooms elsewhere in the convention center, and such taking away space from other panels submitted for consideration. I will admit that I did miss the panel area in Cosplay Central, since it was extra-convenient for anyone already on the main floor or with a booth in Cosplay Central. Any number of factors could have factored into ReedPop’s decision to remove that space, but perhaps those who missed it this year will be vocal enough for it to make a return.
As it’s the last day of the convention, Sunday is often the day you’ll see cosplayers in more comfortable costumes for the trip home, but those who chose to dress up still managed to wow while out on the convention floor. It was also the day of the Cosplay Central Costume Showcase, so there were still plenty of impressive cosplays to be seen. Here are some of the photos I manage to capture.
To see what cosplay conventions are coming up
be sure to check out our Cosplay Convention List!
