Comic Con Cape Town is set to take over the Cape Town International Convention Centre this week, giving Capetonians the ultimate pop culture and gaming experience. The highly anticipated festival, which will run from the 1st to the 4th of May, promises fans a diverse array of entertainment, celebrity appearances, shopping opportunities, and exclusive merchandise.
The year will be there third edition of Comic Con Cape Town, here are 10 things the event organisers says attendees can expect.
1. The Main Stage and the Pop Culture Hall
The main stage of Comic Con Cape Town is the epicentre of the festival, featuring a lineup of exciting guests set to engage fans in interactive Q&A panels where audience members can meet stars from popular TV shows, movies, and web series.
Comic Con Cape Town has announced the appearance of –
- Ian McDiarmid, Emperor Palpatine, Star Wars
- Michael Trucco, Battlestar Galactica, Big Bang Theory, and Fire Country
- Zach Aguilar, voice of Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Aether in Genshin Impact
- Aki Dearest & The Anime Man, International YouTubers
Fans can also test their knowledge with quizzes, gain insights from industry pros in Q&A sessions, and take part in creative workshops and discussions on everything from writing and drawing comics to crafting Cosplay costumes.
2. Gaming Galore: Tournaments, Free-to-Play zones, and Accessories
Telkom VS Gaming returns with the epic eDiski S8 finals and exciting EAFC25 free-to-play and mobile gaming zones. The Checkers Zone features UFC 5, shopping accessories, and a special guest appearance of UFC middleweight World Champion Dricus Du Plessis on Saturday, 3 May.
The Toyota Gaming Engine delivers four days of nonstop free-to-play action, featuring Street Fighter 8, Gran Turismo, Clash Royale, Brawlhalla, and Subway Surfers challenges and Red Bull Gaming is bringing the Golden Letters Tekken 8 tournament to the Con floor. RGB Gaming will be offering something for the younger gamers with Minecraft, Apex Legends and Fortnite free-to-play challenges.
3. Cosplay All Day
A celebration of self-expression, creativity, and community! Comic Con Cape Town is a welcoming and inclusive space for Cosplayers of all levels. This year sees Medirite x Essence at Cosplay Central to give all con Cosplayers a dedicated space to check their outfits and do touch-ups before hitting the big stage.
Visitors can showcase their creativity and win prizes in daily Casual Cosplay Competitions on the Main Stage for both adults and kids. The Comic Con Cape Town Regional Championships of Cosplay returns on Sunday, 4 May at 15h00, along with the World Cosplay Summit Qualifier – and don’t miss the brand-new Extreme Cosplay Gathering Qualifier!
In addition to these competitions, Comic Con Cape Town welcomes internationally acclaimed cosplayers Yuji Koi (Switzerland) and Mayo Cosplay (UK). These guest Cosplayers offer photo opportunities and prints of their iconic outfits, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
4. May the 4th
With the Con falling over May the 4th, the festival looks to welcome the largest Star Wars fan gathering on Sunday the 4 May. The day is set to celebrate all things Star Wars. The first 500 people to walk through the gates dressed up as their favourite Star Wars character will receive a free Star Wars Comic Book, and fans can take part in Star Wars themed quizzes, fan meet-ups, Jedi training and Star Wars-themed Casual Cosplay Competitions with prizes from Disney+ and Illum Relix.
5. Artist Alley
With over 120 artists in Hall 5, the Artist Alley is the heartbeat of any Comic Con. Immerse yourself in a world of artistic brilliance at Artist Alley with talented creators, discover unique artwork, and support the local pop culture art scene.
Meet renowned international artists and connect with industry legends like Adam Kubert, Jim Cheung, Laura Braga, Rob Levin, and Stéphanie Lavaud. Explore the works of incredible South African artists, including Anand Ramcheron, Sean Izaakse, Warren Louw, and a special tribute to Karl Mostert, along with many more.
Discover one-of-a-kind pop culture art pieces, limited edition prints, and commissioned artwork. Local spotlight artists will also be joining the Con with their Street Art flair, including Keith Vlahakis, Johnny Allison, Bushy Wopp, Sanele Qwabe and Wayne BKS. Comic Con is also supporting the City of Cape Town’s Emerging Artists Programme.
6. The KidsCon Zone
Join us at the KidsCon Zone, presented by Toys R Us, for a day filled with fun, excitement, and unforgettable memories in the Pop Culture Hall. Discover a world of toys and more – engage in interactive activities and meet your favourite characters! Noodle and Bun, Mario and Luigi, Geoffrey the Giraffe, and the Smurfs are all heading to the KidsCon Zone for epic meet-and-greets.
Solarpop is bringing mind-blowing activations like Freak Marble racing and Pokémon: Scarlet & Violet Academy, and Lush is making their debut appearance at the Con with their Minecraft limited collection! Don’t miss the Toys R Us shopping experience at the KidsCon zone – explore a wide range of toys, collectables, and must-have goodies from top brands.
7. Experiences Everywhere
Engage and play this year, with awesome activations from big brands like Netflix, M-Net, Amazon, Mew, and more! Netflix is celebrating Squid Game Season 3 with a world-class activation. M-Net is bringing The Last of Us Season 2 to life with a massive, immersive experience. Amazon is bringing the “What’s in the Box?” competitions. Among the many other experiences, you can expect a themed restaurant with an exclusive Con menu, miniature painting, HintHunt escape rooms, CapeLUG (LEGO displays), Dance Dance Revolution, and so much more!
Level up your imagination with tabletop gaming now in Level 1, and step away from the screen as you immerse yourself in the realm of imagination and creativity. From short to long campaigns for traditional titles like Dungeons & Dragons, Pokémon TCG, One Piece, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Star Wars Unlimited, presented by Unplug Yourself.
8. Shopping and Collectables
Get ready to unleash your inner shopaholic at Comic Con Cape Town. Our dedicated shopping area offers a vast array of merchandise to satisfy your every desire on the ground floor. Discover a treasure trove of original artwork, comics, and merchandise.
Explore a wide range of official and fan-made merchandise, including apparel, toys, accessories, and more. Hunt for rare and limited-edition collectables that will be the envy of your friends. Get your own personalised items made on the spot by talented artisans.
9. Food Trucks and After Dark Events
Comic Con Cape Town is focused on ensuring that the festival has more than enough room for fans to embrace the experience. The outdoor area is set to be buzzing with food trucks and chill zones. Even better, the fun doesn’t have to end when the Con doors close. Join us for our After Dark events, where all proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospital Trust.
1 May: Coffee & Comics, Truth Coffee, 19h00 to 22h00
2 May: Comedy Night, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, 19h00 until late
3 May: The Curse of Improv Island, The Outlore Base, 20h00 until late
10. Autographs and Photo Ops
On Level 2 is your golden chance to rub shoulders with international celebrities up close and personally. Capture the moment with a professionally taken photograph alongside some of your favourite celebs. Plus, you can snag their autographs too! You do not need to have a photograph to get an autograph and vice versa.
Whether you want to bring your own item for a cherished signature or pick up something special at the show, the stars are ready to make your day. Given the high demand for these exclusive opportunities, fans are reminded that availability during the event itself might be limited, so stay in the loop and secure your spot to meet and greet your heroes!
Comic Con Cape Town 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience with pockets of excellence in each and every corner.
READ MORE: Star Wars Legend Ian McDiarmid joins Comic Con Cape Town
