Lubomierz will once again become the European capital of cosplay and photography. From Friday, July 31, to Sunday, August 2, 2026, another edition of PixelMania will take place in the town and surrounding communities.
Cosplayers, photographers and filmmakers from more than 20 countries will come to the small Lower Silesian town. Participants will create photographs inspired by characters known from films, television series, computer games, anime, manga, comics and fantasy literature.
For residents of Bolesławiec and Bolesławiec County, the event may be an idea for a weekend trip. The best opportunity to see participants in costume will be the Saturday gathering in Lubomierz’s market square.
Group photograph in the market square
The most spectacular part of the program, open to the public, is scheduled for Saturday, August 1. At 10:30 a.m., the traditional group photograph of PixelMania participants will be taken in the market square.
In one place, visitors will be able to see dozens of characters in colorful costumes, with elaborate props, makeup and elements of set design. Children and teenagers also come to the market square, often wearing their own costumes inspired by the event.
The organizers emphasize that the number of young spectators in costume grows with each edition.
What is cosplay?
The name cosplay was formed by combining the English words “costume” and “play.” It is a form of creative expression involving the preparation of costumes and portraying popular-culture characters.
Creating a costume may require sewing, modeling, artistic and makeup skills. More complicated costumes take many weeks or even months to make.
During PixelMania, participants not only present their costumes but also portray the characters being photographed, preparing appropriate poses, gestures and scenes.
Sessions in castles, palaces and ruins
For three days, photographers, filmmakers and cosplayers will hold sessions at several dozen locations in Lower Silesia. The photographs will be taken primarily in Lwówek County, Jelenia Góra County and Lubań County.
The participants’ backdrops will include historic streets, castles, palaces, ruins, museums, forests and other distinctive landscapes of the region. Some sessions are organized in places that are not normally open to visitors.
Lubomierz remains the event’s main base. The town’s historic architecture has attracted photographers and creators seeking locations resembling film sets for years.
Group photograph of PixelMania participants:
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Market square in Lubomierz