AVCon Anime and Gaming Festival

Are you looking for something to do when the school holidays roll around? Let us introduce you to the most exciting event happening in Adelaide this July! AVCon is a giant all-ages anime and gaming festival, packed with content for kids – and kids at heart. Enjoy the ‘Power Ranger’ theme for 2025. Watch, play, create and learn about the latest trends and technologies, and best of all, kids under 12 are free! All content at AVCon is included with entry, no need to pay anything more!

Meet Sprite the Gaming Koala and explore his dedicated Kids Zone. The area includes video games, board games, colouring, LEGO building, free face painting, storytime, cardboard blacksmith station, and a clay sculpting workshop – all designed to spark young imaginations!

Plenty of Games for All Ages

From casual gaming to competitions, AVCon has it all. There is a console freeplay area, including PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, classic retro games for a dose of nostalgia, plus virtual reality (VR) and arcade games! The whole family can play together all weekend to their heart’s content!

Explore Culture and Creativity

More than just play – explore your creativity! Learn all about making video games at South Australia’s biggest showcase of locally created projects. Panels and workshops run all day, covering topics such as creating art, becoming a YouTuber or streamer, exploring pop culture, game design and much more! Cosplay, the hobby of dressing up as your favourite character, also takes centre stage – with hands-on classes led by professionals in sewing, leather crafting and moulding techniques. Don’t miss the Kids Cosplay Competition, held on Sunday, where both handmade and store-bought costumes are welcome. Every child receives a prize and their very own moment to shine! You can also relax and enjoy a unique cultural experience at our Japanese Maid Café, inspired by the themed cafés of Akihabara and read some Manga comics. Plus, catch local and interstate creators streaming live from AVCon in the StreamCast Studio all weekend.

Tabletop Adventures Await

The tabletop area is a fantastic way to play together – choose a game from our board game library, join one of our many learn-to-play sessions for trading card or miniature war games, or even go on a quest in a roleplaying adventure! Our friendly staff are there to help you learn, making it a great way for families to try something new together and maybe even pick up a new hobby along the way.

Your Pop Culture Marketplace

The AVCon Artist Alley features hundreds of talented local and interstate artists selling unique fan art and handmade crafts inspired by your favourite anime, TV and game franchises. Meanwhile the Exhibitor Hall is packed with official merchandise, toys, games and clothing for the dedicated pop culture fans looking to find something special. Dozens of local community groups will show off their hobbies and how you can get involved with them!

For the Grown-Ups: AVCon After Dark

Once the day is over, drop the kids home and return for a little bit of adult time! AVCon After Dark runs Saturday night from 6:00pm to 11:00pm; get a drink, relax with some games, and enjoy a lineup of panels, screenings, and other entertainment suitable for a mature audience. A separate ticket is required and is restricted to ages 18 and up – a great option for parents looking to get some fun time back for themselves.

WHERE: Adelaide Showground

WHEN: Saturday 5th of July to Sunday 6th of July

TIME: 10am – 6pm

COST:

• Kids under 12 free
• Saturday: $45
• Sunday: $40
• Weekend: $70

click here for more info and tickets