FALL IN LOVE WITH PENSACON

Pensacola's Pop Culture Convention Returns Valentine's Weekend

by Morgan Cole

For many of us, the month of February is filled with candy hearts and cheesy Valentine’s cards, but here in Pensacola, it marks the start of cosplay contests, celebrity meet and greets, themed parties at your favorite downtown venues and, of course, loads of fun. It’s time for Pensacon!

Each year in February, more than 30,000 people gather in downtown Pensacola to experience the three-day fan extravaganza we call Pensacon. From sci-fi, fantasy and horror, to comics, anime and gaming, this annual pop culture convention provides a welcome step away from reality for all types of fans.

With this year’s convention set to take place over Valentine’s Day weekend, fans will have a chance to celebrate their love for all their favorite fandoms.

Now in its 12th year, the 2025 Pensacon convention will return to the Pensacola Bay Center February 14 through 16.

More than just a sci-fi or comic convention, Pensacon spans all genres and mediums to offer something for just about every type of fan.

Aptly themed “We Love Pensacon” as a nod to the convention falling on Valentine’s Day weekend,, this year’s all-inclusive pop culture extravaganza invites fans to celebrate fandoms ranging from video games and comic books to wrestling, movies and more.

Established in 2013 with its first official event held in 2014, Pensacon has grown to become one of the most popular pop culture conventions in the region.

At the convention, fans of all varieties of pop culture have the opportunity to meet their favorite actors, artists, authors and other celebrities and enjoy live entertainment, cosplay and costume contests, intriguing panels, gaming, a film festival and unique shopping opportunities.

“We will have more than 80 actors, artists, writers and other creative individuals appearing this year,” Pensacon Director of Marketing and Guest Services Julio Diaz said.

Some of this year’s most anticipated celebrity guests include Blake Roman, Erika Henningsen and Amir Talai from the Amazon Prime animated series Hazbin Hotel.

Another exciting arrival will be a reunion of the Space Marines from the 1986 sci-fi film, Aliens featuring actors Michael Biehn, Mark Rolston, Cynthia Scott, Daniel Kash, William Hope, Jenette Goldstein and Rico Ross.

“Angie Harmon from Law & Order and Rizzoli & Isles, will also be making her very first convention appearance for this year’s Pensacon. We always love to have the opportunity to be a guest’s first convention experience, so we’re all very excited about having a star of Harmon’s caliber coming to Pensacola,” Diaz said. “Having a legend like Hayley Mills, who does not make many convention appearances, is also a major thrill. It’s also fun to bring back some past guests who’ve become beloved friends.”

Other featured guests include Lorraine Bracco from The Sopranos and Goodfellas; Christopher Mintz-Plasse from Superbad and Kick-Ass; Disney Legend Hayley Mills from The Parent Trap, Polyanna and Trap; actor and pop culture icon Priscilla Presley from The Naked Gun and Dallas; actor Lou Diamond Phillips from La Bamba, Young Guns and Stand and Deliver; Star Trek: Discovery star and Broadway legend Anthony Rapp; Sons of Anarchy stars Theo Rossi and Emilio Rivera; and the main voices of the Halo video game series, Steve Downes (Master Chief) and Jen Taylor (Cortana).

Attracting a growing number of attendees each year, the convention now spans multiple venues with themed runs, workshops, cosplay contests and events hosted throughout the city.

Most official events and activities will take place from 1 to 7 pm on Friday, 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday.

The Pensacola Bay Center will serve as the primary venue for ticketing, celebrity autographs, photo-ops and more. The Bay Center also serves as home base to the vendor floor, where fans can shop a variety of unique merchandise and collectibles.

Poseidon’s Bay will be set up outside in front of the Bay Center and will feature live entertainment all weekend as well as the Cumulus Media concession area, additional vendors and presentations from sponsors and community groups.

“Since this year’s convention coincides with Valentine’s Day, we will present a special Valentine’s Day Charity Ball at the Palafox House on Friday, February 14. Themed ‘Dress Up or Dress Up,’ attendees are encouraged to either come in their best cosplay or dressed up in evening wear. This is something new that we are excited about for this year,” Diaz said.

While Pensacon is primarily headquartered at the Bay Center, a number of downtown bars and restaurants will also participate in the fun as official event partners with Pensacon-themed celebrations, food and drink specials and contests hosted throughout the weekend.

A number of downtown businesses will also participate as official partners, hosting themed events and specials throughout the weekend.

Organizers encourage fans to follow Pensacon’s social media pages, website and download the official app for announcements on more event partners leading up to the event.

Pensacon will also bring back its popular costume contests as official events for this year. Two costume contests will be held, one for adults (ages 13 and older) and one for kids (ages 12 and under).

WKRG will host the adult cosplay contest on February 15 from 6 to 8 pm at the Henry Roberts Activity Center at First United Methodist Church of Pensacola in downtown Pensacola. Papa’s Pizza will present this year’s kids costume contest on February 16 from noon to 1 pm at the Poseidon’s Bay Stage located in the front parking lot of the Pensacola Bay Center. Complete contest rules and entry details are available on the Pensacon website.

Another official event returning for this year is the Pensacon Short Film Festival. Over the past seven years, Pensacon has taken pride in screening some of the best short films from around the world. In line with the theme of the convention, each short film celebrates science fiction, horror, fantasy, comic books, pop culture, animation and documentaries. Following each screening, fans will have the opportunity to participate in a short Q&A session with the filmmakers.

From cosplay contests, artist workshops and photo-ops to gaming competitions and themed parties at your favorite downtown venues, Pensacon 2025 is sure to deliver an exciting weekend of fandom-filled fun for everyone!

“We really appreciate the support of the community and all of the people who help make Pensacon a weekend that we can all be proud of. From our sponsors, volunteers and support from the City of Pensacola and Escambia County to the wonderful staff at the Pensacola Bay Center and First United Methodist Church, it takes a massive collaborative effort to make this event happen,” Diaz explained. “We are filled with gratitude that this weekend has come to mean so much to so many. We look forward to seeing you all at the show!”

Tickets to the 12th annual Pensacon convention are on sale now, and for the first time in event history, organizers are offering a new two-day ticket that provides budget-conscious fans multiple days of fun. Two-day passes are $74.99 plus taxes and fees, and offer entry to the convention on Friday, February 14 and Sunday, February 16.

For those looking to enjoy all three days of the convention, full weekend passes and VIP Experience passes are still available. Weekend passes are on sale for $94.99 (plus taxes and fees), and VIP Experience Passes are $189.99 (plus taxes and fees). Fans can also purchase one-day passes to attend specific days of the convention starting at $49.99 (plus taxes and fees).

To purchase tickets and for more details on Pensacon 2025, visit pensacon. com. Be sure to follow @Pensacon on Facebook and @PensacolaPensacon on Instagram for special announcements leading up to the event.