Penticton is marking Halloween weekend with a packed slate of events, led by the return of Penti-Con, the city's annual pop culture convention. The two-day gathering at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre runs Saturday and Sunday, opening each morning at 10 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m., according to organizers.

What does the pop culture convention offer?

The festival, run by a non-profit group, caters to fans of anime, sci-fi, fantasy and comics. Its schedule includes workshops, panels and exhibitors, along with organized play for several tabletop and card games:

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  • Pokémon Gym Battles
  • Dungeons & Dragons sessions
  • Magic: The Gathering
  • Warhammer

A new addition this year is a Cosplay Catwalk, joining the convention's existing costume programming and talent competitions. Day passes cost $28, and organizers say children aged 12 and under get in free.

How else is the city marking the holiday?

The convention is one piece of a broader weekend lineup across the Okanagan. The S.S. Sicamous marine heritage site is holding a trick-or-treat event with games and a scavenger hunt on Saturday, and the Penticton Art Gallery is running a family crafts session that afternoon, with costumes encouraged.

Music fans have an evening option: the Elks Hall is hosting a Halloween rock show with six bands across two stages and a costume contest, with advance tickets at $20. The Penticton Vees hockey club is also taking part, reviving its Trick or Suite Night for Friday's game against the Tri-City Americans at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Children 12 and younger are invited to wear costumes and visit the suite level for treats during the first intermission, with a family costume contest at ice level later in the game.

FAQ

When does Penti-Con take place?

The convention runs Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m. each day.

Do children need tickets for Penti-Con?

Organizers say kids aged 12 and under are admitted free, while adult day passes are $28.