MessinaCon

MessinaCon, the pop culture village in the heart of Messina

MessinaCon is the major comic book and pop culture festival in the city of Messina, Sicily, which transforms the Villa Dante park into a vibrant village dedicated to the nerd world every year. Spanning over 50,000 square meters, the event is now one of the largest comic conventions in Southern Italy, drawing enthusiasts from across the region and the nearby Calabria, just across the Strait.

A growing event

Starting as a small gathering for fans, MessinaCon has grown year after year to become the go-to event for the Messina nerd community. It is organized by the StrettoCrea collective, with the support of the Municipality of Messina and the special agency Messina Social City. The festival blends entertainment, culture, and social engagement, with a strong focus on accessibility and family-friendly activities.

What to expect at the festival

The MessinaCon program covers every facet of contemporary pop culture:

• Comics and Manga: stalls featuring comic book shops, authors, and illustrators, with meet-and-greets and signing sessions;
• Cosplay: the unmissable cosplay contest, the beating heart of the event;
• Video Games and Esports: gaming zones, tournaments, and demo stations, including virtual reality experiences;
• Guests: sessions with authors, voice actors, artists, and content creators;
• Concerts, shows, and themed exhibitions, designed for the whole family.

The MessinaCon Day Zero

The MessinaCon season traditionally kicks off with Day Zero, a preview event that brings the community together and unveils the first news for the September edition. Hosted at the Giardino Corallo, it builds anticipation for the three-day main event at Villa Dante.

An unmissable appointment in Messina

Amidst the buildings and parks of the city on the Strait, MessinaCon is one of the most popular cultural and entertainment events of the Messina summer. For those visiting Messina and Sicily in early September, it is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in pop culture within the lush, accessible setting of Villa Dante.