On March 22 and 23, 2025, the Centro Fiera di Montichiari is set to host the ninth edition of Gardacon, an event that celebrates pop culture and video games in all their forms. This already well-known event promises a weekend filled with extraordinary guests and engaging activities, making it a must-attend occasion for enthusiasts in the field.
Distinguished Guests
This year, Gardacon will feature as its main guest the international actress Cobie Smulders, famous for her role in “How I Met Your Mother.” Smulders will be joined by legends of Italian animated theme songs such as Cristina D’Avena and Giorgio Vanni, who will help create an even more special atmosphere. Additionally, the Premio Amarcord will honor great names in dubbing, featuring artists like Renato Novara and Elisabetta Spinelli.
Activities and Entertainment
Gardacon is not just a convention, but a true journey across generations. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a world of video games, comics, and cosplay. The area dedicated to video games will feature modern console stations with current titles such as Fortnite and EA Sports FC24, alongside classic arcade cabinets like Pac-Man and Space Invaders, available for free play without tokens.
Families will also find free demo areas to try out the best board games thanks to collaborations with renowned publishers like Asmodee Italia. There will also be a section dedicated to building blocks, curated by MocBricks, showcasing monumental artworks created by some of the best Italian builders.
Live Shows
The Gardacon program will also include a series of live performances. Saturday, March 22, will feature Cristina D’Avena with her famous animated theme songs and an award ceremony dedicated to historic Italian dubbing. Sunday, March 23, will be highlighted by an energetic performance from Giorgio Vanni and his band “I Figli di Goku,” along with special events such as the K-pop Dance Contest.
Creativity will be showcased in the Artist Alley, where illustrators and comic artists will gather to present their works. Among the guests will be well-known names from the international comic scene, offering visitors the chance to participate in interactive workshops.
Cosplay and Competitions
Finally, the traditional cosplay parade organized by C’mon Cosplay will take place. This event will allow cosplayers to showcase their costumes inspired by cartoons, movies, and TV series. Participants will be judged based on costume quality, character interpretation, and originality.
The event will take place on Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23, from 10 AM to 7 PM at the Centro Fiera located at Via Brescia 29 in Montichiari. For more details about Gardacon, please visit the official website or the event’s dedicated social media pages.
Italian Version
