More Than 100 Vendors and Lots of New Programming Await Fans September 19 – 21 at 2025 Hot Springs Spa-Con
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2025
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Learning how to build a 10-foot-tall robot and a new emphasis on cosplay contests will join more than 100 vendors, a live band and a boatload of celebrities September 19 – 21 for the ninth Spa-Con comics and pop culture convention at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
“There's a lot of new programming in store for this year's Spa-Con, including a cosplay masquerade contest,” Visit Hot Springs Special Events Manager Alexis Hampo said. “That makes two types of cosplay contests for this to this year's convention, and that’s going to be a real treat for everyone — including me.”
“Spa-Con 2025 will also feature more than 100 vendors in the Expo Hall, including artists, collectibles, toys, comics and celebrities,” Bill Solleder, marketing director for Visit Hot Springs, said. “That’s enough vendors to satisfy every fan in the South.”
“Spa-Con 2025 is going to be jam packed with fun,” Hampo said. “Cosplay legends, incredible artists, 10-foot robots — you name it and Spa-Con will have it. This year’s convention is for everyone, whether you want to learn, create or shop, so be sure to buy your weekend or VIP ticket now.”
Spa-Con tickets — $35 for weekend passes and $150 for VIP passes — can be purchased at www.spa-con.org.
In addition to the cosplay contests, vendors and creative features, the 2025 Spa-Con will include an opening-night concert by the outrageous Peelander-Z band, a Sorting Hat event with Hot Springs’ Pocket Theatre acting troupe, a question-and-answer session with “Walking Dead” star Laurie Holden and a Q & A with Arkansas' favorite Squid, Rodger Bumpass.
There’ll also be a workshop on Building 10-Foot Tall Robots and other Extreme Costumes Workshop with Thomas DePetrillo Workshop and a Q & A with stars from “Sailor Moon” —Sailor Moon, Sailor Jupiter, and Artemis.
The 2025 Spa-Con Schedule:
Friday, September 19
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. - Pass Pick-Up (Concourse)
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. - Role-playing Games (Room 207 - 208)
6:30 PM - Opening Ceremonies (Horner Hall)
7 p.m. - 8:00 PM - Peelander-Z Concert (Horner Hall)
Saturday, September 20
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Pass Pick-Up (Concourse)
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Expo Hall Open (Expo Hall)
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. - Role-Playing Games (Room 207 - 208)
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Miniature Paint and Take (Room 207 - 208)
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Board Games (Room 207 - 208)
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. - Sorting Hat with the Pocket Theater (Spa-Con Theatre)
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. - Yoda Yoga with Missy Conry of The Yoga Place (Room 209)
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Cosplay Contest Sign Up (Cosplay Repair Booth in Expo Hall)
11 a.m. - noon - Mixed Media Embroidery Workshop with Cowbutt Crunchies (Room 202)
11 a.m. - noon - The Psychology of Batman with Travis Langley (Room 205)
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Free Laser Tag (Expo Hall)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. - “My Hero Academia's” Zeno Robinson Autograph Signing (Expo Hall)
Noon – 1 p.m. - Q & A with “The Walking Dead's” Laurie Holden (Spa-Con Theatre)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. - Free Professional Photo Ops with Laurie Holden (Room 201)
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. - Pokémon Trading Card Tournament (Room 207 - 208)
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. - Creature Creators: Character Design Workshop with Sean Fitzgibbon (Room 202)
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. - VIP Meet & Greet (VIP Lounge)
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. - Evil Ted Foam Demonstration (Room 205)
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. - Free Professional Photo Ops with Zeno Robinson (Room 201)
3:15 p.m. – 6 p.m. - Laurie Holden Autograph Signing in Expo Hall (Expo Hall)
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. - Craftsmanship Cosplay Contest with Evil Ted, Cowbutt Crunchies and Avera Cosplay (Spa-Con Theatre)
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. - Q & A with “My Hero Academia's” Zeno Robinson (Room 205)
5 p.m. – 6 p.m. - Zeno Robinson Autograph Signing (Expo Hall)
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. - Break
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Cosplay Club (Horner Hall)
7:55 p.m. – 8 p.m. - Special musical performance by Chloe Cherrie (Horner Hall)
8 p.m. Cosplay Winners Announced (Homer Hall)
Sunday, September 21
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Pass Pick Up (Concourse)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. - Expo Hall Open (Expo Hall)
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. - Yoda Yoga with Missy Conry of The Yoga Place (Room 209)
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. - Cosplay Masquerade Contest with Evil Ted, Cowbutt Crunchies and Avera Cosplay and hosted by Gregory Harris (Spa-Con Theatre)
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Miniature Paint and Take (Room 207 - 208)
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Role Playing Games (Room 207 - 208)
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Board Games (Room 207 - 208)
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Free Laser Tag (Expo Hall)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Autograph Signing with Zeno Robinson (Expo Hall)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. - Autograph Signing with Laurie Holden (Expo Hall)
11 a.m. - noon - So Your Kid Wants to Cosplay? with Avera Cosplay (Room 205)
11 a.m. – 12 noon - Building 10-Foot Tall Robots and other Extreme Costumes Workshop with Thomas DePetrillo Workshop (Room 202)
Noon – 1 p.m. - In the name of the Moon: Sailor Moon Q & A with Sailor Moon, Sailor Jupiter and Artemis (Spa-Con Theatre)
Noon – 1 p.m. - See Real Raptors with Raptor Rehab of Central Arkansas (Room 201)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. - Gustav Carlson Campfire Bestiary: Drawing Arkansas Cryptids (Room 202)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. - Q & A with Arkansas' Favorite Squid, Rodger Bumpass (Room 205)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. - Photo Ops with Real Raptors (Room 201)
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. - Dating Game with Nerd Informants (Spa-Con Theatre)
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. - VIP Meet & Greet (VIP Lounge)
4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - SpAcademy Awards (Spa-Con Theatre)
For more information contact Alexis Hampo at 501-321-2027.