Jax Pop Con

Schedule of Events

Get Your Cosplay On

Dress up as your favorite hero, space wizard, movie monster or original D&D character. You might just win a prize or make a friend! Folio Weekly's "Best of Jax 2023" cosplayer Countess Alyx will return as emcee and guest judge, along with a few of their cosplay friends.

Cosplay Contests (ages 6+)

Want to win cool prizes (and bragging rights)? Enter one of two competitions:

• Runway Category at 3 p.m. - if your costume was purchased from a store
• Crafted Category at 3:30 p.m. - if you made your costume and props by hand

Note: Spots are limited and are first-come, first-served. Please check in with staff or volunteers between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to receive your contestant number.

Cosplay Photo Booths 

For those interested, local photographer Jeremy Bacon of Port of Call Photography will set up a photo booth, selling professional photos to cosplayers and congoers (for a small fee). Free DIY Photo Booths (and props) will also be set up in the Promenade, Children's Room and Conference Level.

For Our Super Young Fans

Families with young kids are invited to join us on the second floor, in and around the Children's Department. Enjoy free face painting and balloons with Art-Z Faces and play with bubbles, chalk and a giant Candy Land game in the Courtyard. 

Looking for ways to build your home library? Our partners at First Coast YMCA will provide information on New Worlds Reading and its free book delivery program for families with kids in VPK through 5th grade. Their table will also include goody bags and raffle prizes.

Plus, you don't want to miss:

• Little Readers Storytime at 10:15
  • in the Terry Children's Theatre
• Costumed Storytime at 11 a.m.
  • inside Children's, by the Courtyard doors
• Face Painters & Balloons from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • just outside Children's, in Genre Fiction
• Kids Costume Parade at 12 p.m.

A Quiet/Sensory Room will be available in Room G3 (Conference Level) to anyone who needs it.

Concurrent Events

Visit Artists Alley

Throughout the day, con-goers can stop by to grab a selfie with cosplayers who inspire them, talk shop with fellow makers, discover local authors, network with future collaborators, or just grab an original print, sticker, plushie, or charm inspired by their favorite fandom. Around 40 local vendors will showcase or sell their original and fandom-inspired creations! 

Returning: The Gray Lair, TheHeroLife, Janishacolors, TheFlyingTacoz, Poison Bee, Feathered Forest, Full Connections Counseling, Douglas Anderson Creative Writing, Cranberryspring, Massiveus, Michael Regina, and DM4Hire, INC.

New this year: Haley Howe Studio, prckly.pear, BLAQUE MYTHOS, Emry Hurt, Devon Gambrell, Black Cat Comics, SnailzTalez, Dabathhouse, Sa5mmie artist, Gary Zeiger, NiksandStones, ParridiseArt, Old Lady Kay Boutique, BCoo Art, Port Moonmarsh, 4pocalypse Arts, Mommy's Little Princess Bowtique, The Ecogian Exchange, Shrimple Tattoos, The Artsy M Foundation, CrumzArt, Darby's Dungeon, Phukenradd, Samantha Dier Tattoos and Art, Little River Comics, and DEWrite.

Meet Special Guest Cosplayers

Throughout the day, you'll have the chance to interact with them and other special guest cosplayers, including members of Costumers with a Cause and Black in Jax Anime. You may know some of these fine folks from other Northeast Florida conventions or fandom events. While they won't be competing in the Cosplay Contest, they will be available for photos, cosplay or photo tips, and more. 

Find these cosplayers in the Artists Alley or roving around the event floor: 

• Countess Alyx (Cosplay Contest emcee)
• Ashla Stargazer
• Curvy Darling Cosplay
• El Nerdy Senpai
• Peachy Peaches Cosplay
• Summer Fire Cosplay
• Quest Master and The Mimic Misadventurers
• 501^st Legion: Squad 7, Florida Garrison (Star Wars group)

The Gaming Center (aka Conference Center)

Each year, we dedicate a whole floor to video games, tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs), board games, card games, and more. We are proud to partner with Extra Life Jax* and other local gamers, including the Library's own Games Committee. 

Video Gaming Tournaments & Free Play

Join us from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room (on the Conference Level). Entry and access is free. Competitors are asked to show up at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the tournament. Please plan to bring a controller.

• Single Elimination Style Tournaments:
  • 11 a.m. Super Smash Bros. (Nintendo Switch)
    • cap of 32 players
  • 12 p.m. Street Fighter 6 (Playstation 5)
  • 12 p.m. Tekken 8 (Playstation 5)
• Free Play Games Available:
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)
  • Dragonball Z (Playstation 4)
  • Rocket League (XBox)
  • Overcooked 2 (Nintendo)
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
  • Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Series
  • Marvel Cosmic Invasion

*Extra Life is a fundraising program of Children’s Miracle Network®, with Jacksonville Guild volunteers playing in support of our two local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, the pediatric programs at Wolfson Children's Hospital and UF Health Jacksonville.

Tabletop and Live Action Roleplaying Games

• Dungeons & Dragons (and other TTRPGs)
  • in the Center for Adult Learning (Conference Level)
  • Choose or create your own character
  • Join a table of up to six adventurers for a "one-shot" campaign
    • Morning session: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    • Afternoon session: 1 - 3 p.m.
  • Optional: Check out D&D rule books and supplemental guides
  • Optional: Check out other TTRPG rulebooks
• Blood on the Clocktower Live Action RPG
  • a popular murder/mystery "social deduction" game for five-to-20 players
  • recommended for ages 15+
  • 1 - 4 p.m. in Room G4
  • Note: players are randomly assigned a role in one of two opposing teams

Just for Kids and Teens

• How to Play Magic the Gathering
  • MagiKids Starter Pack Giveaway (while supplies last)
  • Open to youth (ages 10-17) from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • in the Learning Space (Conference Level)
• Pop Culture Trivia for Teens (ages 12-17)
  • Categories include: anime, comics, video games, and fantasy worlds
  • from 1-2 p.m. (location TBD)

More Activities for Gamers

• Escape Me Mobile (escape room experience)
  • Running multiple sessions between 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Features themed puzzles and immersive storytelling
  • Parked just outside the Library's entrance (on Laura St.)
• Pokémon: Trading Card Game
  • tables/playmats set up at in the Gallery (First Floor)
    • 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • and 2 - 4 p.m.
  • bring your own deck or borrow one of ours
• Paint-and-Take Mini Game Pieces
  • learn with Leia from The Gray Lair
  • starting at 11 a.m. (until supplies last)
  • in the Atrium (Second Floor)

For a complete schedule of events (listed by time and location), pick up an Event Guide on your way in or visit our Online Event Guide. 

Info for First Time Attendees

Never been to the Main Library? Have questions about where to park or eat Downtown? We've got answers! You can also call us at 904.255.2665.

Knowledge is Power

Get a Free Library Card

Did you know? Duval County Public School, KIPP Jax and Becoming Collegiate Academy students can use their student number for many of the things that require a library card, including checking out up to three books (or audiobooks) at a time. 

For the full benefits of a resident card (including access to Digital Library apps), faster checkout of your big book haul, and easier check-in the awesome programs you're going to want to attend, make sure you sign up for a library card online. You can also sign up in-person before or at the event!

Discover all of the ways you can borrow graphic novels, manga, D&D manuals and more! Main Library boasts one of the largest physical collections of these items out of our 21 locations.

Zines, Indie Comics, and More

Main Library also houses the Zine Collection with self-published zines and comics, mostly from creators right here in Northeast Florida! If this isn't your neighborhood library, you can always place a hold online and have the items sent to your preferred location for pickup.

You should also check out:

• Free comics and manga on Hoopla Digital
• Staff recommendations from the Fandom Book Cart
• Themed Book Displays in the Teen Room and Children's Room
• DIY tools like Novelist Plus to find your next read or "read-alike"
• Personalized Booklist Request Form to get book recommendations from staff