More than 600 people, many in their favourite cosplay costumes, ventured in to another world at Eastwood Leisure Complex for the second annual pop con convention.

Ballarat’s Sonika live music and events team, a group of young people working with council to organise youth-oriented events, identified the need for a pop culture convention and held the first, much smaller event, last year.

“I think that Ballarat has a thriving pop con community and that’s what this event has really celebrated,” said City of Ballarat youth engagement and events officer Tabitha Rickard.

“This one is much larger and we’ve had great community feedback and people asking for it again.”

All of the event’s guest speakers, workshop hosts and most of the 38 exhibitors were from the Ballarat area, with visitors from the local area, regional Victoria, Melbourne and interstate.

Have you signed up to The Courier's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.