Who says Halloween has to be all blood, guts, and terrifying monsters? Sometimes a purple Ghost-type Pokémon and a whole lot of candy are all you need.
NAMICON 2026 is bringing a different kind of Halloween celebration to Orlando on October 30–31 at Dezerland Park, combining anime, Japanese kawaii culture, cosplay, and Halloween festivities into one colorful weekend.
Presented by Little Kawaii Market and Geeks United, the two-day convention is themed around Gengar’s Halloween Costume Party, giving anime fans an excuse to celebrate their favorite characters while enjoying some Halloween fun.
And yes, there will be trick-or-treating!
The convention features two cosplay contests, each with its own theme. Friday’s competition celebrates cute and colorful anime-inspired costumes, while Saturday’s contest takes a darker turn with anime and Halloween-themed cosplay. Both contests begin at 5:30 PM.
Visitors can also check out an artist alley featuring local creators and handmade merchandise, participate in a stamp rally, enter raffles, and enjoy character photo opportunities.
Entertainment includes performances by Miami Pixel Symphony, PiPSQUEAK ODDbody, and Brick City Comedy, along with appearances by Sweet Tooth Maid Cafe, offering snacks, games, and performances.
Food vendors will be serving kawaii desserts, boba tea, matcha drinks, and Asian-inspired meals throughout the event.
One particularly fun addition is the Halloween trick-or-treating activity scheduled for 7:30 PM, featuring a special purple character leading the festivities.
NAMICON takes place Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Dezerland Park Orlando, 5250 International Drive, Orlando, Florida.
General admission opens Friday at 1 PM and Saturday at 10 AM, with VIP early entry available. The convention runs until 8 PM both days, followed by a Saturday after-party at Geeks United.
Admission options include single-day and weekend passes, with children ages six and under admitted free.
Between the cosplay, live performances, artist alley, and Halloween activities, NAMICON is giving Orlando anime fans a chance to celebrate the holiday with a little less horror and a lot more kawaii.
And if Gengar happens to show up for a photo, don’t forget to smile.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Old punk rocker from Miami who still smells faintly like comic shops and poor financial decisions.
