York Cosplay! - York County Libraries

Embrace your Creativity

Bring your favorite fandom character to life! York Cosplay is a program for teens that’s all about fostering authenticity, inclusivity, and confidence through creative self-expression, while building practical skills like sewing.

Through expert-led workshops and events, you’ll learn about cosplay design & fabrication, fandom, and more – all with the goal of helping you put together your own cosplay look for the Teen Cosplay Fashion Show on Saturday, November 21, 2026!

Teen Girl Walking Fashion Show As Little Red Riding Hood

Girl Wearing Kimono And Wig Walking Fashion Show

Girl In Wig And Hakama Posing With A Prop Sword

Register to attend the York Cosplay! Con

York County Libraries is hosting its annual York Cosplay! Con for ages 12 to college. It will take place on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at Martin Library from 11am–3pm. The day’s events will include:

The Teen Cosplay Fashion Show
Selfie stations
Panel discussions
A fandom trade table
Artist Alley

*Families are welcome to come in costume for the Teen Cosplay Fashion Show at 2pm.

2026 Con Schedule

The 2026 Con and Fashion Show will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 11am-3pm (Fashion Show runs 2-3pm).

Workshops & Meetups

Show off your creativity during the Teen Cosplay! Con at Martin Library! No experience necessary to participate; however, participants are invited to attend the workshops & meetups throughout the year.

Cosplay Meetup

Saturday, June 27 – 10:30am-12:00pm
Creating Your Character

Registration opens May 27

Cosplay Meetup

Saturday, September 26 – 10:30am-12:00pm
Completing Your Look

Registration opens July 26

What happens during the York Cosplay: Teen Fashion Show?

Teens participate in a rehearsal.
Teens will enter the room, one-by-one, like models in a runway show.
An MC will introduce them by character name and tell the audience a bit about their cosplay costume while the teen walks and poses in character.
Once all teens walk the runway, they will enter the room together for the big finale.
Audience members of all ages are welcome to wear costumes too!
After the show, there will be time to pose for photos.

Guidelines to Participate in York Cosplay: Teen Fashion Show 2025

Ages 12 to college students
Register online (The deadline to register is Friday, November 20, 2026.)
All participants agree to being photographed and videotaped for Internet usage
All cosplay props must be obviously fake and non-functioning. (Example: a bow cannot shoot arrows)
No glitter, confetti, pyrotechnics, live flame, or smoke generators of any kind
No electrical power connections will be provided. Power must be part of costume design.
Costume and props can be handmade, adapted clothing and found objects, rented, or bought.
York County Libraries is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not sure what “Cosplay” is or how to participate? Read below!

Cosplay is the creative interpretation of fictional characters and pop culture influences through costume and props. Some people choose to cosplay by reproducing characters from their favorite work of fiction, while others cosplay as original characters of their own creation.

York Cosplay Workshop Series and York Cosplay Teen Fashion Show are for all fandoms—comics, anime, manga, role-playing games, tv series, books, and movies, as well as original characters created by teens.

We can help you with this! Martin Library and Kreutz Creek Library have workspaces available with sewing machines, 3d printers, computers, cameras, and multimedia equipment for you to use. You’re welcome to come into any of the libraries above and work on your cosplay whenever they’re open.

Find these libraries & open hours here