Female Jedi Cosplayer at Dragon Con 2015 with Lightsabers
Every Labor Day weekend, Atlanta hosts Dragon Con—one of the largest fantasy and science fiction conventions drawing over 60,000 attendees. One of the coolest things about Dragon Con are the cosplayers, people who dress up in costumes and represent characters, often inspired from tv shows, movies, video games, manga, comic books, or their own imagination.
Some of the most spectacular and elaborate costumes can be seen at the Dragon Con Masquerade Costume Contest. There’s a children division, as well as an adult competition, and a master’s category (for contestants who have previously won “Best in Show”). The costumes featured often take months to make and show true craftsmanship, dedication, and passion. In addition, to the awe-inspiring costumes, the contestants are also judged for their performance on stage. This is a fun show and a true highlight of Dragon Con!
Photos from the 2015 Dragon Con Masquerade Costume Contest
An Airbender at the 2015 Dragon Con Masquerade
Her choreographed dance highlights the movement of airbending—the power to harness wind and air and manipulate it—in a visual, imaginative way. Beautiful colors and movement!
Alice in Wonderland at the 2015 Dragon Con Masquerade
At first you think “Alice” is standing in front of a mirror, but then her double steps out, and you realize there are actually two “Alices”. This act took a lot of synchronization.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Opening Sequence at Dragon Con 2015
This was one of the most impressive performances of the night! She and a troop of dancers performed the entire opening routine from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (“Anything Goes”). The costumes took over 13 months to construct.
If you want to see just how accurately the costumes and choreography match the movie, check out the opening video below.
Oogie Boogie at the 2015 Dragon Con Masquerade
Oogie Boogie won the category for best horror and transformed the animated villain, Oogie Boogie, from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas into a living, dancing 3D figure.
Glinda,The Good Witch from Wicked at the Dragon Con Masquerade 2015
An absolutely stunning dress with a sparkly wand that blows bubbles!
Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, the Good Witch
You can’t have the Good Witch without her wicked counterpart. Elphaba has totally checked out of this conversation.
Duck Dodgers in the 24 and 1/2th century at Dragon Con 
Edward Scissorhands at the Dragon Con Masquerade 2015
Another Tim Burton character brought to life!
Elsa the Snow Queen from Disney’s Frozen
I’ll admit I haven’t seen Frozen yet. But I definitely need too!
Female Winged Warrior at Dragon Con 2015
The Governor from the Walking Dead at Dragon Con Masquerade
My husband and I watch the Walking Dead and it was gratifying to see one of the show’s most-hated characters get killed again!
Opening Act at Dragon Con 2015 Masquerade
This was the opening act of the Dragon Con Masquerade adult costume contest. Their act was choreographed to “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley. He used his sword hilt as a microphone. His foreboding appearance contrasted amusingly with her zany, carefree nature.
A Winged Monster with Skull Adornments at Dragon Con Costume Contest 2015
Joker and Penguin from Batman Singing during Dragon Con 2015
A hilarious performance by a twisted duo wishing for Batman’s death and then deciding they don’t really want Batman to die because then there’d be no batman to torment. They decide to wish for his disfigurement and suffering instead.
Joker and Penguin Winners for Best Comedy at Dragon Con Masquerade 2015
Lilith (Basically a Failed Prototype of Eve) at Dragon Con Masquerade
Don’t you wonder what’s under her magnificent cape? Well, she teased the audience and as the music ended, she revealed what was underneath . . . Imagine knee high boots, fishnet stockings, carefully placed black tape, and a leather strap teddy.
Hyenas from the Lion King Dragon Con 2015 Costume Contest
The hyenas were super cool. Their stilted movements and bobbing heads took you straight into the Lion King.
Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty at Dragon Con Masquerade 2015
A 20-foot Dragon Capable of Breathing Fire!
This amazing 20-foot dragon costume required each appendage to be on a stilt. We couldn’t believe the maker was even able to walk around in this thing. At one point, he lifted his wings into the air and was balancing on his two feet. It took the audience’s breath away and is well-deserving of winning audience favorite! Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see the dragon breath fire because that’s against the rules, but imagine the sight.
Fox Character with Axe at 2015 Dragon Con Masquerade
This costume took inspiration from Pokémon. The axe was handcrafted and painted by hand. It lights up from the inside and pulses brilliant colors. A thing of beauty!
The details of this costume are phenomenal! From the elaborate axe to the embroidered lion, everything has been meticulously created.
She was the winner of the novice category!
Ronan the Accuser from Guardians of the Galaxy (performing “I Will Survive”)
Some Sort of Jedi Beast
Sailor Moon from the Popular Japanese Manga Series
If you’ve never heard of Sailor Moon, take a look at this trailer to get an idea of what it’s all about.
A Samurai Vader
Sinbad the Sailor Dragon Con 2015 Masquerade
This guy balanced a sword on his head and one on each foot and then rotated from lying on his back to lying on his stomach. Talk about insane flexibility and control!
Stewie on the Path to World Domination
I love how the entire costume is made from toys!
Tik-Tok and Dorothy from Frank Baum’s Oz Books
“Good gracious!” cried Dorothy, as she was so startled by the queer sight before her. For standing right in front of her and Billina, only a few feet away, was the form of a man–or, at least, it seemed like some sort of a man, in the dim, dusty light. He was only about as tall as Dorothy herself, and his body was round as a ball and made out of burnished copper. His round head was also copper, as well as his limbs and these were jointed or hinged to his circular torso in a unique way, with metal caps over the joints, like the armor worn by knights in storybooks from the old days. He stood perfectly still, and lifeless, yet where the little rays of sunlight struck upon his peculiar form, it glittered as if made of pure gold. ”
The Tik-Tok costume actually had an operational wind-up crank that set various geared pieces—like the arms, head, and, perhaps most importantly, the mustache—moving. It won the master’s category at Dragon Con 2015 Costume Contest.
The Borg from Star Trek at Dragon Con Masquerade
“We are the Borg. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. Resistance is futile.” – Star Trek The Next Generation
Do you have a favorite costume from the 2015 Dragon Con Masquerade? Let me know in the comments!
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