Last weekend, I attended Wintercon IX, a fantastic multigenre convention packed with everything we love—tabletop games, anime, cosplay, video games, TCGs, Lego, Warhammer, fan-art, crafts, and a ton of merch. But more than anything, it was about the people—the social connections between like-minded fans. At the bottom of this post, you’ll find a huge photo gallery to soak in the vibes of the event!
What is Wintercon?
As the name suggests, Wintercon 2025 marks the 9th edition of this winter convention. Organized by the same team behind Unicon (check out my review!), it takes place in Riga, Latvia, right in the middle of January. The event spans two full days, making it one of the few major geek culture gatherings in Europe during the winter season.
I personally prefer Wintercon over its summer counterpart for a few reasons. First, winter lacks big events like this, making it truly stand out. Second, with short daylight hours and cold weather, people tend to stay home—so this is a perfect excuse to shake off the winter blues and meet amazing people.
A New Perspective
While I’ve attended many conventions as a journalist, this year was special—my 13-year-old daughter came along as a visitor, experiencing a big event like this on her own for the first time. It was a unique opportunity to see the event through the eyes of someone it’s designed for.
Here’s what she had to say:
“I absolutely loved it! I was a bit nervous about the crowds, but once I arrived, all my fears disappeared. Despite the number of people, the place felt cozy and welcoming. No one judged you—you could be yourself, meet like-minded people, and make new friends.”
And honestly? She’s right. Geek culture is one of the most inclusive and open communities, spanning all ages and backgrounds.
It’s also a great excuse for parents—if your kid is into geek culture, you get to drop a few hundred euros on a costume and trade your business suit for a cosplay outfit, at least for a weekend. You know, just like how dads “buy” Lego Technic sets for their five-year-olds, with no intention of playing with them themselves… right? 🙂
The Best of Wintercon IX
Wintercon took over two massive halls, totaling 10,000 square meters, with two main stages—one for cosplay competitions and another for K-pop dance performances.
The craft market dominated the venue this year. Unlike previous years, where factory-made merch was more common, independent artists and hobbyists took over the space, showcasing unique handmade creations. A special ‘Night Market’ zone was set up, filled with glowing lamps and luminescent crafts.
Gaming was also a major focus, featuring: console fighting game tournaments, A retro PC gaming zone, and over a dozen indie game developers showcasing their projects.
Despite the event’s size, it kept its signature cozy atmosphere. Cosplayers freely roamed the halls, chatting with fans, taking photos, and sharing their expertise on costume and prop-making. In fact, I’d estimate that nearly half the visitors were in costume—I’ve never seen that level of participation at any other comic-con-style event!
Cosplay Highlights
The cosplay contest and masquerade wrapped up Day 2, with international judges picking the best performances. I also made my own editor’s choice—a passionate duo who put on an outstanding performance, complete with music, movement, and incredible emotions. Representing the Creepypasta fandom, they cosplayed Jason the Toy Maker and Candy Pop—and absolutely nailed it.
Final Words Before You Jump Into the Gallery
Wintercon IX was an incredible experience, as always. What makes it stand out isn’t just the variety of activities but the sense of community—where everyone feels like a participant rather than just a spectator.
But enough words—jump into my gallery and see for yourself!
P.S. If you spot yourself in any of the photos and want a higher-resolution version, just message me, and I’ll gladly share it!
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