COMIC CON BALTICS COSTUME, UNIFORM AND PROP SAFETY RULES

COMIC CON BALTICS COSTUME, UNIFORM AND PROP SAFETY RULES

Comic Con Baltics

Effective from: 1 July 2026

Festival Organiser
Renginio genas, MB
Festival venue
LITEXPO, Laisvės Ave. 5, Vilnius, Lithuania
Legal entity code
304662851
Contact email
info@ccbaltics.com
Address
A. Goštauto St. 8-1020, LT-01108 Vilnius, Lithuania
1.General provisions
  1. These Rules govern the admission, inspection and use of cosplay costumes, uniforms, masks, armour, weapon imitations, decorations and other props at Comic Con Baltics and its Baltics Gaming Expo section, jointly referred to as the Festival.
  2. These Rules form an integral part of the general Festival Rules.
  3. By bringing a costume, uniform, mask, armour, weapon-like item or other prop into the Festival area, the visitor confirms having read these Rules and agrees to comply with them.
  4. These Rules apply throughout the Festival area, including:
    1. LITEXPO exhibition halls.
    2. Corridors and shared areas.
    3. Festival entrances and ticket control points.
    4. Visitor queues.
    5. Outdoor areas.
    6. Car parks controlled as part of the Festival area.
    7. Stages and locations hosting official Festival activities.
  5. The Festival welcomes creative, fictional, stylised and safely constructed cosplay costumes.
  6. These Rules are intended to:
    1. Protect visitors, participants, guests and staff.
    2. Prevent costumed visitors from being mistaken for real military personnel, police officers, security staff or emergency service personnel.
    3. Prevent panic, intimidation, threats and unsafe conduct.
    4. Restrict extremist, discriminatory, hateful and violent imagery.
    5. Establish clear safety requirements for costumes and props.
  7. A Festival ticket does not grant an automatic right to enter the Festival with any costume, uniform or prop.
  8. A restriction applies to the costume, uniform, costume component or prop concerned rather than to the visitor.
  9. The visitor remains entitled to attend the Festival in different clothing or after leaving the prohibited item outside the Festival area.
  10. The Organiser has no obligation to provide storage for prohibited costumes, costume components or props.
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2.Official Festival participants and exemptions
  1. Restrictions concerning realistic military, police and service uniforms do not apply to:
    1. Members of the Lithuanian Armed Forces performing official duties or taking part in an authorised Festival activity.
    2. Members of allied armed forces stationed in Lithuania and taking part in an authorised Festival activity.
    3. Police officers, fire and rescue personnel, medical personnel and other public service personnel performing official duties.
    4. Licensed security personnel working at the Festival.
    5. Actors, performers, exhibitors and other official Festival participants whose clothing, equipment and activities have received prior written approval from the Organiser.
  2. Official participants remain subject to the Organiser's safety instructions and any additional conditions applying to their participation.
  3. An exemption granted to an official participant does not permit the transfer of uniforms, equipment or props to visitors for use outside the authorised activity.
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3.Realistic military, police and tactical costumes
  1. Visitors must not wear realistic or near-realistic:
    1. Military costumes and uniforms.
    2. Police uniforms.
    3. Special operations uniforms.
    4. Military police, border guard or public security uniforms.
    5. Tactical costumes.
    6. Uniforms associated with armed, paramilitary or organised tactical groups.
    7. Costumes resembling other uniformed or armed services.
  2. A costume is considered prohibited where its overall appearance might reasonably cause another person to believe that the wearer is:
    1. A serving member of the Lithuanian or another country's armed forces.
    2. A member of a military unit.
    3. A police or other law enforcement officer.
    4. A member of a special operations unit.
    5. A military police, border guard or public security officer.
    6. An armed security officer or other official responder.
    7. A member of an armed or paramilitary group.
    8. A person equipped for a genuine military, police or armed operation.
  3. The complete appearance of the costume is assessed.
  4. An individual garment or accessory might be acceptable by itself but become prohibited when combined with other military, police or tactical elements.
  5. Removing a single patch, flag or emblem does not automatically make a costume acceptable where the overall appearance remains realistic.
  6. The restriction applies to current and historical uniforms associated with real states, armed forces, military units, police forces and other armed organisations.
  7. The restriction also applies to characters from films, television series, video games, comics or other works where the costume accurately or closely reproduces real military, police or tactical clothing.
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4.Prohibited military, police and tactical elements
  1. Authentic military, police and official service uniforms are prohibited.
  2. Accurate and near-accurate reproductions of real uniforms are prohibited.
  3. Costumes must not display authentic or realistically reproduced:
    1. Military or service ranks.
    2. Military unit insignia and patches.
    3. Police and other official service markings.
    4. Official service names.
    5. Official slogans.
    6. Service numbers or identification markings.
    7. Military medals and decorations.
    8. Flags associated with real military units, official services or armed organisations.
  4. Full camouflage combinations which create the appearance of a real military uniform are prohibited.
  5. The restriction applies to current and historical camouflage colours and patterns where presented as a complete uniform.
  6. Realistic tactical equipment is prohibited where used as part of a costume or combined with other elements creating a military appearance, including:
    1. Tactical and ballistic-style vests.
    2. Plate carriers.
    3. Chest rigs and ammunition carrying systems.
    4. Tactical and ballistic-style helmets and realistic reproductions.
    5. Tactical belts.
    6. Weapon holsters.
    7. Magazine and ammunition pouches.
    8. Tactical knee and elbow protection.
    9. Realistic ballistic protection.
    10. Gas masks, balaclavas and tactical face coverings used as part of a realistic military, police or tactical costume.
  7. The following are prohibited when realistically reproduced:
    1. First World War uniforms.
    2. Second World War uniforms.
    3. Uniforms associated with current armed conflicts.
    4. Special operations and SWAT-style uniforms.
    5. Police and other law enforcement uniforms.
    6. Uniforms associated with real paramilitary groups.
  8. Realistic military video game costumes are prohibited where they include:
    1. Authentic or realistic military uniforms.
    2. Tactical vests.
    3. Tactical helmets.
    4. Real unit insignia.
    5. Realistic weapon replicas.
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5.Extremist, discriminatory and hateful costumes
  1. The following costumes, symbols, flags, signs, wording and props are prohibited:
    1. Items promoting Nazism, fascism, terrorism or violent extremism.
    2. Items promoting racial, ethnic, religious or other forms of hatred.
    3. Items encouraging violence, discrimination or the degradation of a group of people.
    4. Clothing or markings reproducing the identity of a real extremist, terrorist or unlawful organisation.
    5. Items glorifying war crimes, political repression or violence against civilians.
    6. Items prohibited under the laws of the Republic of Lithuania.
  2. The restriction applies even where the costume is described as:
    1. Historical reenactment.
    2. Humour or parody.
    3. Political commentary.
    4. Provocation.
    5. An artistic project.
    6. A fictional character portrayal.
  3. A historical, educational or artistic exception applies only as part of an official Festival activity approved in writing by the Organiser in advance.
  4. The Organiser is entitled to set additional conditions concerning the location, time, context and manner in which such material is presented.
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6.Permitted fictional and stylised costumes
  1. Fictional, fantasy, science-fiction, animated and clearly stylised costumes are permitted where they cannot reasonably be mistaken for a real military, police or official service uniform.
  2. Futuristic armour and combat costumes from clearly fictional settings are permitted.
  3. Permitted costumes include those inspired by fictional settings such as:
    1. Star Wars.
    2. Halo.
    3. Helldivers.
    4. Warhammer.
    5. Other fantasy and science-fiction works.
  4. All fictional and stylised costumes remain subject to the prop, size, visibility and safety requirements set out in these Rules.
  5. Stylised or alternative interpretations of military-themed fictional characters are permitted where:
    1. No real military or service uniform is used.
    2. No real military or service insignia is displayed.
    3. No realistic military ranks are displayed.
    4. No realistic tactical vest or helmet is used.
    5. No realistic weapon replica is carried.
    6. The complete appearance is clearly fictional or stylised.
  6. Generic post-apocalyptic costumes are permitted where they do not include:
    1. Authentic military or service insignia.
    2. Real military uniforms.
    3. Realistic tactical vests and helmets.
    4. Realistic weapon replicas.
  7. Individual camouflage or khaki garments are permitted as ordinary clothing where they do not create the overall appearance of a real military uniform.
  8. Examples of generally acceptable clothing include:
    1. Camouflage trousers worn with an ordinary T-shirt or hoodie.
    2. A camouflage T-shirt worn with jeans.
    3. Khaki trousers or a khaki shirt without tactical accessories.
    4. A stylised character mask worn with ordinary clothing and without tactical vests, helmets or authentic military markings.
  9. Approval of an individual garment does not guarantee approval of the complete costume.
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7.Costume and prop inspection
  1. All weapon-like, oversized, heavy or potentially dangerous props must be presented for inspection:
    1. At the Festival entrance.
    2. At a designated prop inspection point.
    3. At any later time requested by security or Festival staff.
  2. Festival and security staff are entitled to inspect:
    1. The complete costume.
    2. Costume layers and attached components.
    3. Bags and cases.
    4. Props and accessories.
    5. Internal structures and mechanisms.
  3. An inspected prop might receive a Festival security tag.
  4. A security tag must not be:
    1. Removed.
    2. Altered.
    3. Copied.
    4. Transferred to another prop.
  5. A prop must be submitted for another inspection where:
    1. It has been altered.
    2. It has been damaged.
    3. Its construction has changed.
    4. It is used differently from the manner observed during the first inspection.
    5. It is brought back on another Festival day.
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8.General prop construction requirements
  1. Permitted props must be:
    1. Non-functional.
    2. Made from safe and lightweight materials.
    3. Free from sharp edges and pointed ends.
    4. Light enough to avoid a serious injury risk from accidental contact.
    5. Constructed and carried in a manner which does not obstruct visitor movement.
  2. Materials generally regarded as suitable include:
    1. Foam.
    2. EVA foam.
    3. Rubber.
    4. Cardboard.
    5. Lightweight wood.
    6. Hollow plastic.
    7. Other materials approved as safe during inspection.
  3. Props must not contain an operational:
    1. Firing mechanism.
    2. Projectile launching mechanism.
    3. Combustion or ignition mechanism.
    4. Explosive mechanism.
    5. Electroshock mechanism.
    6. High-pressure system.
    7. Chemical dispersal system.
  4. A rigid internal structure is permitted only where it is lightweight, fully enclosed and incapable of causing injury.
  5. Fictional and science-fiction weapon props are permitted where they:
    1. Clearly differ from real weapons.
    2. Are made from lightweight materials.
    3. Contain no operational mechanism.
    4. Present no injury risk.
    5. Pass the on-site inspection.
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9.Firearms and firearm replicas
  1. The following are strictly prohibited:
    1. Real firearms.
    2. Essential firearm components.
    3. Ammunition.
    4. Blank or noise cartridges.
    5. Gas weapons.
    6. Pneumatic weapons.
    7. Airsoft weapons.
    8. Paintball equipment.
    9. Any other device capable of launching a projectile.
  2. These items remain prohibited where they:
    1. Are unloaded.
    2. Have no gas, battery or magazine installed.
    3. Have been partly dismantled.
    4. Have been deactivated.
    5. Carry a brightly coloured marking.
    6. Are presented as cosplay props.
  3. Hard and realistic firearm replicas made from the following materials are prohibited:
    1. Metal.
    2. Dense wood.
    3. Resin.
    4. Solid or dense plastic.
    5. Other materials of comparable hardness.
  4. A brightly coloured barrel tip or similar marking does not by itself make a realistic firearm replica acceptable.
  5. Weapon-like props must be transported to and from the Festival in a closed bag, case or covering.
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10.Blades, impact items and other weapons
  1. The following are prohibited:
    1. Metal swords and katanas.
    2. Metal axes and machetes.
    3. Real knives of any length.
    4. Double-edged blades.
    5. Concealed blades.
    6. Automatic, spring-assisted and butterfly knives.
    7. Metal throwing stars and kunai.
    8. Real arrows and hard arrowheads.
    9. Brass knuckles.
    10. Telescopic batons.
    11. Metal bars.
    12. Hard clubs and bats.
    13. Nunchaku.
    14. Metal chains.
    15. Electroshock devices.
    16. Tear gas and pepper spray.
    17. Powerful lasers.
  2. Scissors, box cutters, utility blades, pocket knives and similar tools must not be used as costume accessories.
  3. Soft and lightweight imitations of fictional swords, axes, hammers and similar weapons might be admitted after inspection.
  4. A permitted imitation must have:
    1. No metal blade.
    2. No sharp edge.
    3. No pointed end.
    4. No exposed rigid internal structure.
    5. No weight or construction likely to cause injury.
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11.Bows, arrows, whips and LARP props
  1. A bow must be unstrung or otherwise modified so that it cannot launch an arrow.
  2. Real arrows and arrows made from rigid wood, metal or other hard materials are prohibited.
  3. Soft-tipped LARP arrows might be admitted where:
    1. They have been inspected.
    2. They remain securely stored in a quiver.
    3. They are not fired anywhere within the Festival area.
  4. Purpose-made foam or latex LARP weapons with a lightweight internal core might be admitted where the core is fully enclosed and the item presents no injury risk.
  5. A costume whip must be made from soft material and kept secured when not being used for an approved pose or performance.
  6. Real whips are prohibited where they:
    1. Exceed one metre in total length.
    2. Have a free section longer than 1.5 metres.
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12.Hazardous materials and devices
  1. The following are prohibited:
    1. Pyrotechnic articles.
    2. Firecrackers.
    3. Smoke devices.
    4. Flammable liquids.
    5. Aerosols intended to create flames, smoke or chemical effects.
    6. Hazardous chemicals.
    7. Operational confetti launchers.
    8. High-pressure water devices.
    9. Glass bottles, containers and other breakable props.
  2. Real syringes and hazardous medical equipment must not be used as costume props.
  3. Medical equipment required due to a visitor's health condition is permitted.
  4. During inspection, the visitor might be asked to explain the medical purpose of the equipment.
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13.Prop size, weight and crowd safety
  1. A prop must not exceed two metres in length without prior written approval from the Organiser.
  2. Props longer than 1.6 metres or weighing more than two kilograms are subject to additional inspection.
  3. Additional restrictions concerning carrying, use or storage might be imposed on such props.
  4. The Organiser is entitled to refuse or restrict a prop where its:
    1. Size creates a collision risk.
    2. Weight creates an injury risk.
    3. Construction is unsuitable for a crowded event area.
    4. Shape restricts visibility.
    5. Use obstructs visitor movement.
    6. Use blocks emergency routes or exits.
  5. Large scenic objects, furniture, walls, backdrops, thrones and similar structures require prior approval from the Organiser.
  6. Such objects are permitted only in a location designated by the Organiser.
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14.Costume safety and body coverage
  1. Costumes must not include elements capable of:
    1. Cutting.
    2. Puncturing.
    3. Scratching.
    4. Catching on another person.
    5. Otherwise causing injury.
  2. Metal spikes are prohibited.
  3. Decorative spikes made from safe materials must be blunt and must not exceed five centimetres in length.
  4. Large costume elements, wings, tails, armour and other structures must not:
    1. Block walkways.
    2. Block emergency exits.
    3. Cover safety signs.
    4. Create an unreasonable collision risk.
    5. Prevent the wearer from moving safely.
  5. Masks and full-face coverings are permitted unless prohibited under another provision of these Rules.
  6. A visitor must briefly remove a mask, helmet or face covering when requested for identification or security purposes.
  7. Costumes must provide appropriate coverage of intimate body areas.
  8. The Organiser is entitled to refuse entry or require a clothing adjustment where a costume:
    1. Exposes intimate body areas.
    2. Exposes the buttocks.
    3. Consists only of underwear.
    4. Displays explicitly sexual imagery.
    5. Is unsuitable for a public Festival attended by children.
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15.Conduct while wearing costumes or carrying props
  1. Visitors must not:
    1. Swing props in crowded areas.
    2. Point a weapon-like prop at another person without clear consent.
    3. Stage mock combat outside an authorised area.
    4. Use a costume or prop to threaten, frighten or provoke.
    5. Imitate instructions given by police, military, security or emergency service personnel.
    6. Present themselves as a real soldier, police officer, security officer or service representative.
    7. Leave a prop or costume component unattended.
  2. A costume or prop approved at the entrance might later be restricted where it is used:
    1. Aggressively.
    2. Dangerously.
    3. In an intimidating manner.
    4. Differently from the manner presented during inspection.
  3. Approval of a costume or prop does not grant permission to:
    1. Touch another person without consent.
    2. Block a walkway for photography.
    3. Create an uncontrolled crowd.
    4. Enter restricted or backstage areas.
    5. Disrupt Festival activities.
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16.Pre-event costume or prop review
  1. A visitor who is unsure whether a costume or prop complies with these Rules is entitled to contact info@ccbaltics.com no later than seven calendar days before the Festival begins.
  2. The visitor should provide:
    1. A full front view of the costume.
    2. A full rear view of the costume.
    3. Photographs of all patches, insignia and symbols.
    4. Photographs of each prop.
    5. A description of the prop materials.
    6. The approximate dimensions and weight of large props.
  3. Any response provided by the Organiser before the Festival is preliminary.
  4. Final approval is given at the Festival venue.
  5. The final assessment takes into account:
    1. The actual appearance of the costume.
    2. The complete combination of the costume and props.
    3. Prop materials and construction.
    4. The condition of the props.
    5. Their actual use.
  6. A previously submitted photograph or approval received during an earlier Festival does not guarantee approval at the current Festival.
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17.Removal of non-compliant costumes and props
  1. Where a costume does not comply with these Rules, the visitor might be offered an opportunity to:
    1. Remove a tactical vest.
    2. Remove a helmet or face covering.
    3. Remove patches, ranks, insignia or official service wording.
    4. Remove other elements creating a realistic military or police appearance.
    5. Change into alternative clothing.
    6. Leave the prohibited prop outside the Festival area.
    7. Submit the adjusted costume or prop for another inspection.
  2. The Organiser has no obligation to store a prohibited costume, costume component, accessory or prop.
  3. A person who refuses to remove a prohibited element or comply with a lawful instruction from Festival or security staff:
    1. Is denied entry.
    2. Is removed from the Festival area where entry has already been granted.
  4. Where an item might be unlawful or presents an immediate danger, the Organiser or security personnel are entitled to contact the police.
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18.Final assessment, liability and consequences
  1. Final decisions concerning the suitability of a costume, uniform, mask, armour, prop or other item are made by the Organiser's designated cosplay inspection personnel or security personnel.
  2. The assessment takes into account:
    1. The complete appearance of the costume.
    2. The likelihood of confusion with real military personnel, police officers or other official service personnel.
    3. Costume and prop materials.
    4. Prop size, weight and construction.
    5. Visitor density and Festival area occupancy.
    6. Symbols, insignia and wording displayed on the costume.
    7. The visitor's conduct.
    8. Current safety requirements.
  3. Approval received during an earlier Festival, on another Festival day or based on a pre-event photograph does not guarantee approval during the current inspection.
  4. A breach of these Rules might result in:
    1. A warning.
    2. A requirement to remove or modify a costume component or prop.
    3. Refusal of entry.
    4. Restriction of access to a specific area or activity.
    5. Invalidation of a wristband or accreditation.
    6. Removal from the Festival.
    7. Notification of the police or another competent authority.
  5. Where a visitor is denied entry or removed because they refuse to remove a prohibited costume component or prop, the Festival ticket price is not refunded.
  6. The visitor remains entitled to attend the Festival without the non-compliant costume, costume component or prop, provided that all other admission conditions are met.
  7. The visitor is liable under applicable law for injury or property damage caused by their costume, accessories or props to:
    1. Other visitors.
    2. Festival participants.
    3. The Festival Organiser.
    4. LITEXPO.
    5. Third parties.
  8. In the event of any discrepancy between the Lithuanian and English versions of these Rules, the Lithuanian version shall prevail.
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Renginio genas, MB · Effective from 1 July 2026 · info@ccbaltics.com

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