Wintergeddon Returns With Global Stars And A Pop Culture Powerhouse King's Birthday Weekend
Leading the celebrity guest list are four powerhouse names from the worlds of sci-fi, fantasy, and gaming:
Ioan Gruffudd, best known as Mr Fantastic in Fantastic Four and the heroic Horatio Hornblower.
Renee O'Connor, beloved globally as Gabrielle in Xena: Warrior Princess.
Kim Rhodes, a standout in Supernatural as Sheriff Jody Mills.
Jeff Ward, breakout star of One Piece and fan-favourite in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
They're joined by a stellar supporting cast including T.J. Thyne (Bones), Aime Donald (M3gan), Neil Fanning (voice of Scooby-Doo) and Kiwi acting legend Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) drops in for an exclusive Sunday panel as well.
Cosplay fans are in for a treat with four of the world's biggest cosplayers: Alyson Tabbitha, Rachel Maksy, Vera Chimera and Ridd1e leading panels, judging contests, and showcasing jaw-dropping costume artistry all weekend.
New for 2025 is the world-first appearance of CARmageddon – a fully-drivable custom Cadillac inspired by the Batmobile and KITT, complete with scissor-lift turret, voice commands, and a working flux capacitor.
Fans can also explore an exclusive Stranger Things costume exhibit featuring original Netflix screen-used wardrobe, and dive into a massive range of activities including:
Two national esports tournaments (League of Legends and Marvel Rivals)
Minecraft VR Zone
Airsoft range and X-Shot battle arena
Spookers Horror Hall and Just Dance disco
Live music from the Auckland Wind Orchestra
Anime screenings, D&D adventures by Questbook, board games from Catan, pinball, wargaming, and cosplay parades
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
Has Marvel got it's mojo back? The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The latest Marvel comic book adaption is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it's out today and early reviews are glowing. Dom Corry tells Jesse what he thinks and looks at the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
NZ Herald
10 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Kiwi actor/director Lucy Lawless has felt ‘immense power' in her 50s
Lucy Lawless says her 50s have been 'a time of immense power'. The 57-year-old star rose to fame in shows like Xena: Warrior Princess and Battlestar Galactica, and while she still acts in My Life Is Murder, she's moved behind the camera with the 2023 film Never Look Away. Asked
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Faith Ward corrects confusion about Australian nationality
'We went home like two years ago and I was like, 'Oh, it hasn't changed one bit.'' Ward, who moved to Perth aged 10, is the first New Zealander (and the third Australian) to be selected for the illustrious Texas-based cheerleading squad. She said the significance of her selection was not lost on her. Ward is one of six rookies joining the coveted dance squad for the 2025-26 NFL season. Photo / Instagram 'I feel like it's so cool for us Kiwi girls to show that we are just as capable as everyone else to make our dreams come true. 'Obviously, we don't really get a lot of opportunity in New Zealand, so we have to put ourselves out there as it is, and I did just that and proved us right and that we are capable of doing something like this and made my dream happen.' Her New Zealand nationality may even have helped her secure a spot in the high-profile team. Ward told the radio show she was shoulder-tapped by the team's recruiters, who asked where she was originally from. When she said New Zealand, the recruiter replied: 'We've never had a New Zealand DCC, so you should apply.' Ward also represents a tonsorial first on the squad, breaking the mould by wearing her hair tied up instead of down in the team's signature style. 'I'm honestly so honoured to not only be the first New Zealand DCC and the third Australian, I'm like one of the first to have a ponytail,' she told Fletch, Vaughan & Hayley. 'You guys will see in my cameo if my hair is up or down, that'll be the answer as to whether or not it's staying. But for now, I've been wearing my hair in a pony and [dance director] Kelli seems to like it.' Ward is one of six rookies joining the coveted dance squad for the 2025-26 NFL season. A Netflix docuseries follows the cheerleaders from auditions to training camp and into the NFL season. Asked whether she was prepared for the fame that comes with the role, Ward said her life was 'on a full 360'. 'I'm going to try and live in the moment and take it all in for what it is.' She knows that, when she makes her debut, she'll be inspiring and representing more than just an NFL team. 'Hopefully, I'll do NZ proud.'
