Inside the Costumes and Characters of ConnectiCon 2026

By Saturday afternoon, the Connecticut Convention Center had become a constantly shifting collection of anime heroes, comic-book villains, pirates, monsters and original fantasy characters. Swords, horns, wings and handmade props moved through the Connecticut Convention Center hallways as cosplayers stopped for photographs, found friends and slipped into character.

ConnectiCon XXIII took place July 16–19 at the Connecticut Convention Center and the neighboring Hartford Marriott Downtown. The four-day, fan-run event brought together cosplay, gaming, comics, anime, panels, performers, vendors and independent artists. A Fixed Moment attended on Saturday, July 18, for its third year of coverage.

After three years, ConnectiCon remains one of my favorite conventions to cover. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, the staff has consistently been professional and organized, and the attendees are generally friendly and ready to have fun.

One of the biggest reasons to return, however, is the cosplay.

More Than Recognizable Costumes

ConnectiCon’s greatest strength is not simply the number of recognizable characters walking through its hallways. It is the individuality that cosplayers bring to them.

The costumes ranged from detailed recreations to gender-swapped interpretations, drag presentations, mashups and original fantasy designs. Some cosplayers arrived with carefully styled wigs, painted scars, theatrical makeup and handmade armor. Others used a familiar costume as the starting point for something more personal.

That variety made the convention feel less like a room filled with people impersonating characters and more like a gathering of artists, performers and fans sharing their own interpretations of the stories they enjoy.

@goth_angel0221 brought a punk-inspired Harley Quinn to the convention with an exaggerated laugh and a skull-covered bomb-shaped handbag pushed toward the lens. The pose, costume and expression worked together to create one of the most animated portraits of the day.

Props, Details and Personality

The craftsmanship was often most noticeable in the smaller details.

Costumes included multicolored wigs, embroidered clothing, painted scars, horns, wings, animal ears, masks and character-specific accessories. Props ranged from swords and superhero gear to oversized food and prop firearms with visible safety tips.

@jessrockbaby portrayed Tohru from Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, wearing the character’s maid uniform, horns, long wig and dragon tail. The costume also included an oversized cross-section of dragon-tail meat, referencing Tohru’s repeated attempts to convince Kobayashi to eat her regenerating tail.

@the.king.julz and @only.davey brought Wolverine and Deadpool together, using the visual contrast and familiar relationship between the two characters to create a naturally entertaining portrait.

@g.virusdrag_ portrayed Mrs. Mayberry alongside a cosplayer dressed as Martha from Helluva Boss. Their expressions, costumes and prop shotgun captured some of the dark comedy associated with the characters.

Inside the Convention Center

The Connecticut Convention Center continues to be a strong setting for cosplay. Its tall windows, open interior areas, patterned hallways and exterior spaces provide a variety of backdrops throughout the event.

The weather was less cooperative than in previous years. Intermittent showers pushed people inside and outside throughout the day, briefly changing the flow of the crowds and limiting some of the exterior activity.

Still, the rain never took over the experience. Attendees adjusted, waited out the showers and continued enjoying the convention.

The Dealers Room, Artists’ Colony and Daily Market gave attendees additional places to explore between activities. Independent artists and makers offered original artwork, jewelry, crafts and commissions, while food vendors toward the back of the convention provided a welcome place to pause before returning to the crowds.

Looking Ahead to ConnectiCon 2027

Attending only on Saturday meant missing much of what happened across ConnectiCon’s four-day schedule. A Fixed Moment’s coverage concentrated on the attendees, costumes and interactions taking place throughout the Connecticut Convention Center rather than celebrity appearances or scheduled panels.

One day was not enough. In 2027, A Fixed Moment plans to return for the full four days and document more of the convention from beginning to end.

The creativity of the cosplay community, the variety of fandoms sharing the same space and the professionalism of the staff continue to separate ConnectiCon from many other conventions. Most importantly, the attendees bring a welcoming energy that keeps the event fun and makes it worth returning to Hartford each year.