Amazon
Dragon Con 2025 Recap: Panels, Cosplay & More
Dragon Con blues anyone? Me! I can’t believe it’s over. Every year I have the best time at Dragon Con and leave with so many new friends and unforgettable moments. This year Dragon Con had over 75,000 attendees over the 5-day sold out convention (actually 6 days because the Welcome Home Wednesday party was lit). Cosplayers (the best in the world), fans, artists, writers and gamers flood the streets of downtown Atlanta for one hell of a weekend. Here are a few of my highlights from Dragon Con 2025.
Walk of Fame
The walk of fame is always a highlight at Dragon Con. This is where you can meet your favorite actors, artists and writers and get autographs or selfies. It’s always a blast to walk around the ballroom and see all of the fans having once in a lifetime moments with their favorite celebrities. My Dragon Con is never complete without a picture with the Ghost Hunters. I’ve attended their panels and watched their shows for years and they always bring the fun and stories to Dragobn Con. I loved catching up with Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango this year.
Ghost Hunters -L-R: Dave Tango, NiceGirl Lisa, Steve Gonsalves at Dragon Con 2025
Friday 8/29/2025 – I was thrilled to be a panelist on the Horror Track’s Sinners: The Devil at the Door Panel. It was a packed house and we had a great discussion about Ryan Coogler’s masterpiece and why it resonated with so many people. It was a blast and I was able to giveaway Sinners tote bags thanks to Allied Global Marketing. Sinners is currently streming on HBOMax. #WeAreAllSinners
Panelists L-R: Karen Bembry (Moderator), Michael Collins, Anthony Liggins, Lisa Harrison, Hanako Ricks, and Jotham R. Austin II.
Sunday 8/31/2025
Sunday 8/31/25 -I was a panelist on the Urban Fantasy Track’s panel Return to Nevermore Academy: A Wednesday Fan Panel. We discussed the first four episocdes of season two and what we hope to see in the second half of the season which premieres on Netflix today (September 3rd).
I ended my Dragon Con Sunday night with a true fan favorite, The Buffy Horror Picture show. The Urban Fantasy Track puts on an interactive “Rocky Horror” style performance of the Buffy musical episode where talented actors do a live performace as the episode plays on the big screen. The audience sings along, yells out quotes and they might even throw out a stuffed animal bunny or two. It is fabulous and I love it. It is a must for any Buffy fan!
Favorite Cosplay
Dragon Con is known for the best cosplay and there are always WOW moments that break the internet. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this year.
Ribbon Swap
Over the past few years, ribbon swapping has exploded in popularity at Dragon Con, becoming one of the most fun and interactive parts of the experience. Fans come armed with custom ribbons—featuring everything from iconic quotes and clever designs to deep-cut inside jokes from their favorite fandoms. It’s an awesome way to connect, share a laugh, and build a one-of-a-kind badge that tells your con story. This year, I had an epic ribbon haul! My personal favorites? Two with Sinners references and one that gave a nod to Buffy. Can you spot them in the photo below?
There was so much to see and do and I loved every moment, click here to see my recap reel on Instagram.
There is nothing like the Dragon Con Parade where the absolute best cosplay is on display. The Parade is a fan favorite and the largest parade in Atlanta every year. Click here to see a replay of the 2025 Dragon Con Parade.
Charity
This year Dragon Con raised $320,000 for mental health advocacy and education organization NAMI Georgia (Dragon Con’s official 2025 charity). NAMI Georgia works to raise awareness across the state and provide support to its 18 local affiliates serving individuals and families affected by mental illness.
In addition to fundraising, Dragon Con conducts the largest convention-based blood drive in the nation. Each year, some 3,000 fans donate more than 6,000 units of blood and blood products in the annual Robert A. Heinlein “Pay It Forward” blood drive, benefiting LifeSouth, which serves more than 40 hospitals in the Atlanta area and 110 hospitals in the Southeast.
Dragon Con will celebrate it’s 40th anniversary next year. Save the date, September 3-7, 2026.
About Dragon Con
Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 28 – Sept. 1, 2025) in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
0 comments