7 PopCon Indy highlights for superfans and casuals
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If you bump into a couple of Spartans from Halo this weekend, you're not lost. It's just PopCon Indy. Photo: Courtesy of PopCon Indy
PopCon Indy turns 12 this weekend and will close out its awkward preteen phase with three days of celebs, cosplayers and countless opportunities to embrace your inner superfan.
Why it matters: The pop culture convention has seen a massive glow up since its homegrown roots as a Kickstarter campaign launched in the early 2010s, and continues to expand its offerings to appeal to nerds and normies alike.
What they're saying: "There's something magical about watching a family geek out together over their favorite movie or video game," said PopCon co-owner Carl Doninger. "We see it every year — parents and kids cosplaying as their favorite characters, creating memories that last well beyond the weekend."
Plus: The air-conditioned halls of the Indiana Convention Center provide a nice way to beat the heat as sweltering conditions smother the Circle City.
Here are seven PopCon 2025 highlights to check out.
🐢 Yell cowabunga with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- The voice actors that brought Leonardo, Raphael, Donotello, Michelangelo and April O'Neil to life will be in the house to swap stories about their time as heroes in a half shell.
📽️ Find a new favorite movie
- The 5th annual PopCon International Film Festival is one of Indiana's biggest film fests and will showcase movies from more than 14 countries. Stick around after the credits for post-screening Q-and-As and filmmaker panels.
🎭 See next-level craftsmanship during the Ultimate Cosplay Competition
- The free event invites cosplayers of all ages and skill levels to transform into their favorite pop culture icons. Feel free to dress up even if you don't want to compete.
🤖 Witness a robot battle at Circle City Clash
- Competitors will pick up their controllers and send their hand-built robots into war during this Robot Smashing League qualifying event.
- Inspired by "Squid Games," participants will play children's games with a twist for a chance to win a lifetime pass to PopCon. Big mystery. Big reward.
🐈 Get catty at Purrcon
- Billed as the "ultimate cat celebration," celebrate our feline friends with kitten therapy sessions, Swiftie Feline Friendship Bracelet-making and trivia and games like "Cat That Tune."
- There's always time for pro wrestling. The Wild Championship Wrestling Outlaws promotions will be putting on family friendly shows all weekend.
If you go: PopCon Indy runs Friday through Sunday at the Indiana Convention Center, 100 South Capitol Ave.
- The show is open 1pm-7pm Friday, 10:30am-7:30pm Saturday and 10:30am-5pm Sunday.
- Daily passes start at $40 for Friday and Sunday, and $50 for Saturday. Three-day general admission starts at $70.
- The full schedule can be found here.