Otafest's cosplay popularity contest is back for another year! Stop by Cosplay HQ on Sunday morning wearing your costume, pick a team, and enjoy the convention while people vote for their favourites. Finalists will get a guaranteed seat at closing ceremonies where we will announce the winners!
Sunday May 17, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm MDT Ideation 1
Accidents happen, and not every stitch and line of glue is going to last through the excitement of the convention. Luckily, The Costume Shoppe and Otafest's cosplay staff are here to help! Stop by the Cosplay Repair station if you're having a costume malfunction and find useful supplies and tools to put your outfit back in order.
Sunday May 17, 2026 9:00am - 5:00pm MDT Ideation 4
Have you ever wanted to know how you would look as a cat? a ninja? a ninja cat? Do you wonder what you and your bestie would look like as anime characters or fantasize about finally getting a picture of your D&D character to show off at the next session? Sketch Drive, one of Otafest's longest-running traditions (and best kept secrets) is where these ideas come to life!
Choose your favourite style from our team of talented artists and get your dream portrait sketched for a good cause. Half the cost of the sketch will go directly to the artist, with the rest going to Otafest's chosen charity so you're supporting a local artist and giving back to the community with a single purchase!
Do you love JRPGs and their soundtracks? Think you know your Final Fantasies from your Chrono Triggers from your Fire Emblems? Join us and showcase your OST knowledge with our selection of all-time classics, deeper cuts, and more!
Think you can beat all the trials from the show Squid Game? Well, prove it. Here's your chance to win that tasty, tasty grand prize, but you’ll have to defeat all the other players first. Good luck.
Ever sew a pattern according to your size and have it not fit? Don't understand the language or markings being used? We will be covering how to read and utilize patterns of all types, how to use their fit adjustments and more!
From toxic GMs to creepy players, the world of TTRPGs can be a scary place! Join Havoc from Red Kitten Productions as they go over how to keep your game off r/rpghorrorstories while maximizing the fun!
If you think you can handle it, come join us at our Maid and Butler Café with a rebellious vibe!
Come hungry! You’ll be served a tasty bento meal with your choice of milk tea or coffee. While you enjoy your meal, play mini-games with our playful maids and butlers, who are all about that delinquent life.
Session times are now longer—an hour and a half of fun!
Don’t miss our *yabai* Maids and Butlers as they showcase this year’s Cafe exclusive dance that will keep you entertained!
You won’t leave empty handed with a free goodie bag and make memories by snapping a photo with our charming volunteers for a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Are you ready to unleash your inner rebel?
**Last 10-15 mins of each session is for photos
Menu:
Tamagoyaki Chicken karaage Tank-san wieners Cherry tomatoes Seasonal vegetable Potato salad Rice Dessert: Original Glazed Mochi Donut from Sweet Rice
**All items can be substituted for dietary restrictions
Are you a fan of giant robots? Do you like to build model kits? Then come on down to the Otafest Gunpla Hangar in the Acadia Room of the Marriott. Feel free to come in and build an experience kit, a kit you picked up on the show floor, take in the gunpla and Gundam related panels, or just hang out and chat with fellow Gunpla builders and Gundam fans.
If you want to show off your stuff, enter the Gunpla Hangar Showcase contest! With various categories and prizes, you can compete at the level of your choice.
Sunday May 17, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm MDT Hillhurst
Even if you don't win a competition, you still have fun, right? This attraction is for those who want to see the best of the accepted entries from our AMV contest that did not make the shortlist; even if your favourite didn't get picked, you'll still have a chance to enjoy it again before the end of Otafest!
Sunday May 17, 2026 10:00am - 2:00pm MDT Macleod E1
Our Exhibitor Hall brings local stores, industry, and travelling vendors into one convenient location for you to find official figures, manga, plushies, art, games, media, and posters. Artist Alley is populated by painters, illustrators, cosplay designers, and more, all ranging from hobbyists to professionals! Some artists may also take commission requests for custom pieces.
This is also where you'll find our guests during their autograph time slots, and some of our generous, lovely sponsors!
Feeling stiff after a few hours of walknig around the convention? Coem get a relaxing massage from the students at Mount Royal University and you'll feel better in no time!
For the last decade, the Otafest Pokémon League has provided a safe space for Pokémon fans to play against other fans and challenge the League for real-life badges and a chance at being crowned a Champion. We offer all sorts of Pokémon related activities and games for all ages with a variety of prizes!
Not only that, but Pokémon-related panels, mini games, events, a great community to join, and more also await you at the League!
Looking for a spot to get off your feet and play some games with friends? Come visit us at the Card and Board Gaming room to try out some board games, or battle your friends in your favourite card game.
Sunday May 17, 2026 10:00am - 6:00pm MDT Sunalta ABC
Are you interested in learning one of the many card games that are popular in Calgary? Come visit the Card and Board Gaming room to learn how to play Yu-gi-oh, Weiss Schwarz, Cardfight!! Vanguard or One Piece, and earn some arcade tickets in the process!
Sunday May 17, 2026 10:00am - 6:00pm MDT Sunalta ABC
Are you a fan of giant robots? Do you like to build model kits? Then come on down to the Otafest Gunpla Hangar in the Acadia Room of the Marriott. Feel free to come in and build an experience kit, a kit you picked up on the show floor, take in the gunpla and Gundam related panels, or just hang out and chat with fellow Gunpla builders and Gundam fans.
If you want to show off your stuff, enter the Gunpla Hangar Showcase contest! With various categories and prizes, you can compete at the level of your choice.
Sunday May 17, 2026 10:00am - 7:00pm MDT Acadia AB
Need a break from all the hustle & bustle of the festival? Maybe you just want to find a place to curl up with a good book? Well you're in luck. The Otafest Manga library is a comfy place for you to relax in a quiet space and pick up a book from our collection of manga and light novels.
Think you know your favourite Mobile Suit? Put your memory to the test! No references allowed—just you, a marker, and a blank canvas. Can you draw a Zaku by heart, or will you create a mechanical monstrosity? Come doodle or die trying!
Sunday May 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT Acadia AB
Looking to add some flair to your badge? Are you ready to get a badge ribbon roll going? If you've got ribbons to trade then this is the spot! Come on by during ribbon swap hours to meet fellow ribbon enthusiasts and spread the fun!
Welcome to the Otafest Official Tournament for Mario Kart World!
Are you ready to take on the competition and be crowned winner? This multiplayer open tournament is available to anyone attending Otafest, no controller or console necessary to enter.
Sign up is available in the Otafest Arcade Tournaments area as soon as the doors open, please ensure you sign up early as spots are limited. Each tournament is expected to start and finish within its own time slot, and has unique registration.
Please visit the Otafest Arcade to view official rules and format as well as answer any inquiries.
Need a quick snack to keep your energy levels up? Conbini sells delicious Japanese-style treats available for purchase!
Onigiri (rice balls), Melon soda, coffee, tea, curry buns, and more, you'll be sure to find something you can shove your face into! Do you have a dietary restriction? We will do our best to have options available for your safe consumption, because you deserve to have delicious Japanese food and drink during Otafest!
Sunday May 17, 2026 11:00am - 7:00pm MDT Telus 110
The Calgary Extra Life Guild has brought a customized dance dance game featuring your favourite anime intros and credits to dance to. Try and dance to your fav anime song and get the highest score. Tickets will be provided to participants. Extra tickets will be provided to participants that show us their extra-life page or wearing a piece of extra-life merch (ie current or previous year donation shirts, medals, or pins)!
Join us for an amazing panel discussing how to cosplay on a tight budget and do so in an environmentally friendly way! We discuss handmade cosplay, thrifting cosplay, cosplay competitions and more!
Did you know what inspired the armour of your favourite medieval fantasy character like Guts from Berserk? What about the swordsmanship in your favourite anime like Askeladd from Vinland Saga? Come on down to Summoned to become a Master of Arms!
Discover how to use voice acting to enhance your TTRPG sessions! Learn techniques to create unique character voices, embody their personalities, and add depth to role-playing. Whether you're a player or a Game Master, this panel will help you bring u
Come on down to our main events room, where we spend some time chatting with this year's North American voice acting guests: Bryson Baugus, Kira Buckland, Kyle McCarley, Alejandro Saab, Howard Wang and Joshua Waters!
The Fake Artist returns! Players are collectively drawing a picture, but one doesn't know what they are supposed to draw. Will they be caught? Come give it a try, new artists selected every round.
If you think you can handle it, come join us at our Maid and Butler Café with a rebellious vibe!
Come hungry! You’ll be served a tasty bento meal with your choice of milk tea or coffee. While you enjoy your meal, play mini-games with our playful maids and butlers, who are all about that delinquent life.
Session times are now longer—an hour and a half of fun!
Don’t miss our *yabai* Maids and Butlers as they showcase this year’s Cafe exclusive dance that will keep you entertained!
You won’t leave empty handed with a free goodie bag and make memories by snapping a photo with our charming volunteers for a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Are you ready to unleash your inner rebel?
**Last 10-15 mins of each session is for photos
Menu:
Tamagoyaki Chicken karaage Tank-san wieners Cherry tomatoes Seasonal vegetable Potato salad Rice Dessert: Original Glazed Mochi Donut from Sweet Rice
**All items can be substituted for dietary restrictions
Join The 404s for a live, off-the-cuff TTRPG session set in our ongoing G.I. Joe and Transformers crossover universe, featuring characters from our Neon Knights and Prairie Protocol games! With audience participation helping shape the enemies, the stakes, and the direction of the story, no two shows are ever the same. Everything created at the table becomes canon and carries forward into our shared Twitch campaign. Step in and help decide what happens next!
Are you ready to stand at the Vanguard of your nation's army? Well IMAGINE IT! And STAND UP, THE VANGUARD! This will be a free entry event where you can win some arcade tickets and bragging rights with all your friends.
Sunday May 17, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm MDT Sunalta ABC
Otafest's cosplay popularity contest is back for another year! Stop by Cosplay HQ on Sunday morning wearing your costume, pick a team, and enjoy the convention while people vote for their favourites. Finalists will get a guaranteed seat at closing ceremonies where we will announce the winners!
Sunday May 17, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm MDT Ideation 1
Tired of Dungeons? Sick of Dragons? Fear not! There’s a whole world of incredible tabletop games waiting for you! In this panel, we’ll showcase must-play TTRPGs that offer fresh mechanics, wild settings, and unique roleplay experiences. From cozy sli
How well can you improv a funny bit? We think most would flounder if put on the spot but it might be funny to watch nonetheless! So we kidnapped a few internet mascots to see how well they could do it in front of a live audience! Join us for the Impromptuber Gameshow!
Yosakoi Soran Calgary is a vibrant and dynamic Japanese dance troupe founded by a group of passionate dancers who wanted to bring the energy and excitement of the Yosakoi Soran dance style to the local community, and has become a beloved fixture of the local arts and culture scene! Their performances are always a hit with audiences, who are captivated by the group's high-energy dance routines and colourful costumes!
Are you a fan of incredible vocal performances? Do you love watching talented singers compete for glory and recognition? The Ota Factor is where the community's best vocalists come together to showcase their skills and compete for top honours! This exciting event is the perfect opportunity to enjoy amazing live music and support local performers who are ready to give their best performance and sing their hearts out.
Best of all, the qualified panel of judges aren't the only ones who get to choose the singer's fate! You also get to vote and give your favourite performer the Audience's Choice prize! So come and enjoy these brilliant performances from passionate singers that are sure to entertain and move you, as they compete for the glory of being recognized as the best.
Sunday May 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT Main Events
Join voice actors, Mike Anthony and Nancy Situ, as they take you through a live radioplay! Come ask questions and participate in the performance of an original script!
Anime EDGE makes its triumphant return to Otafest. Players are pushed to the limits in this random, no holds barred competition. Are you ready to go to the Anime EDGE?
Welcome to Otafest's Cosplay fair! This event is for cosplayers of all ages to come and learn about new techniques in crafting cosplay costumes, the art of cosplaying on stage, and so many more aspects of the craft. The event is fully interactive, like a science fair, but all about cosplaying! Come take a look at what our contributors have to share, learn something new, and make some new cosplay friends!
Sunday May 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT South Hall
Welcome to the Otafest Official Tournament for Mario Kart World!
Are you ready to take on the competition and be crowned winner? This multiplayer open tournament is available to anyone attending Otafest, no controller or console necessary to enter.
Sign up is available in the Otafest Arcade Tournaments area as soon as the doors open, please ensure you sign up early as spots are limited. Each tournament is expected to start and finish within its own time slot, and has unique registration.
Please visit the Otafest Arcade to view official rules and format as well as answer any inquiries.
Our annual charity auction is back! Looking for the perfect way to blend your love of Japanese culture AND donate to a good cause? There is a way to do just that!
Our local moustachioed voice actor Brendan Hunter returns to helm the charity auction. Come on by and bid for your favourite items such as donated artwork, games, figurines, and more; all proceeds will be donated to Canadian Cancer Society. There's nothing like helping those in need, and this is sure to help you add one good deed to your bucket list!
Button mashing doesn't always help in a game, but in button masher it is the only way to win the game. 4 participants get one arcade button each and 15 seconds to press it as many times as possible. Every participants gets a ticket, but the winner get's 5 extra tickets.
Boo! It's a serger! But let's Scooby-doo take the sheet off this scary monster and demystify what it can and can't do. I'll thread a serger, and make a t-shirt. Come chitchat and have fun!
If you think you can handle it, come join us at our Maid and Butler Café with a rebellious vibe!
Come hungry! You’ll be served a tasty bento meal with your choice of milk tea or coffee. While you enjoy your meal, play mini-games with our playful maids and butlers, who are all about that delinquent life.
Session times are now longer—an hour and a half of fun!
Don’t miss our *yabai* Maids and Butlers as they showcase this year’s Cafe exclusive dance that will keep you entertained!
You won’t leave empty handed with a free goodie bag and make memories by snapping a photo with our charming volunteers for a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Are you ready to unleash your inner rebel?
**Last 10-15 mins of each session is for photos
Menu:
Tamagoyaki Chicken karaage Tank-san wieners Cherry tomatoes Seasonal vegetable Potato salad Rice Dessert: Original Glazed Mochi Donut from Sweet Rice
**All items can be substituted for dietary restrictions
Are you a fan of giant robots? Do you like to build model kits? Then come on down to the Otafest Gunpla Hangar in the Acadia Room of the Marriott. Feel free to come in and build an experience kit, a kit you picked up on the show floor, take in the gunpla and Gundam related panels, or just hang out and chat with fellow Gunpla builders and Gundam fans.
If you want to show off your stuff, enter the Gunpla Hangar Showcase contest! With various categories and prizes, you can compete at the level of your choice.
Basilisks, Kelpies, Krakens & Minotaurs! Golem grown vegetables to armour mollusks: are these dishes truly delicious?—You, the audience, will debate and decide! For glory, for prizes, & for fun!
Find out who won in our annual AMV contest featuring the best videos as chosen by the judges and audience. Maybe you'll get to see your favourite on the big screen!
[Note: You do not have to attend the AMV contest prior to enjoy this event]
Sunday May 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT Main Events
Think you know your video game music? Alfred and Ryan are at it again with a newly currated list of some of the best tunes and bops featured in games both new and old. Come ready to play and earn tickets as your Game That Tune!
Ever dreamed of traveling to Japan but your wallet said “yikes”? Join former JET alumni as we take you beyond the anime with real tips to save those yennies! From takoyaki to Tokyo Tower—yes, you can do it all on a budget! Games and hacks included!
Before Otafest ends, let's see who's build reigns supreme after being on display in the Gunpla Showcase Room! Prizes will be given out to winners for main categories, and categories they didn't know they entered!
Look, we all know that it's bad to play with yourselves, so come play with us instead! Compete with your friends, complete strangers, and maybe even one of us, in a bunch of completely bizarre mystery games we are 95% sure you've never even heard of!
It's the 30th Anniversary of Pokémon! And to celebrate, The 404s are creating a series of comedy battles inspired by our favorite monster franchise. Join our teams of trainers, villains and Pokémon themselves as they battle to create the funniest improvised scene based on a title given by a gym referee. The audience choose the winners in a showdown with ever-evolving results!
If you think you can handle it, come join us at our Maid and Butler Café with a rebellious vibe!
Come hungry! You’ll be served a tasty bento meal with your choice of milk tea or coffee. While you enjoy your meal, play mini-games with our playful maids and butlers, who are all about that delinquent life.
Session times are now longer—an hour and a half of fun!
Don’t miss our *yabai* Maids and Butlers as they showcase this year’s Cafe exclusive dance that will keep you entertained!
You won’t leave empty handed with a free goodie bag and make memories by snapping a photo with our charming volunteers for a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Are you ready to unleash your inner rebel?
**Last 10-15 mins of each session is for photos
Menu:
Tamagoyaki Chicken karaage Tank-san wieners Cherry tomatoes Seasonal vegetable Potato salad Rice Dessert: Original Glazed Mochi Donut from Sweet Rice
**All items can be substituted for dietary restrictions
Welcome to the Otafest Official Tournament for Mario Kart World!
Are you ready to take on the competition and be crowned winner? This multiplayer open tournament is available to anyone attending Otafest, no controller or console necessary to enter.
Sign up is available in the Otafest Arcade Tournaments area as soon as the doors open, please ensure you sign up early as spots are limited. Each tournament is expected to start and finish within its own time slot, and has unique registration.
Please visit the Otafest Arcade to view official rules and format as well as answer any inquiries.
Watch as players give their all as our Console Tournaments takes the spotlight! Watch live on the Arcade Stage or on twitch.tv/otafest to see our top players in action.
Have you ever wondered how games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat came about? Why are they so popular? Come find out as we tell you all about the history of the fighting game genre!
Join us to play Over The Garden Wall Trivia! Grab your Jason Funderberker, don your elephant costume, & gather the courage to talk to Sara. Prizes will be won! Coziness will be achieved! A reliable internet connection & cellphone are required to play
Join us once again for a perfect evening of singing along to your favourite Disney Songs. From new to old, popular to niche, "that was Disney?"-- we have a little bit of it all! (But don't worry, it's mostly the catchy ones)
Have you ever been interested in one of the various anime card games out there? We'll showcase each anime-based card game that people play and you can see which one's for you!
Drop on by and learn about how the visual novel medium uses experimental storytelling to reinvent common tropes and conventions while sampling scenes from various genres of visual novels. Beware, this may get lewd... and unhinged. ;)
This panel is to bring awareness before con ends if you pursue your streaming, content creation, etc. have you ever thought about wanting to do something but life gets in the way? come and visit my panel and let's discuss and share ideas!
This panel presents you the ultimate guide to the Umamusume: Pretty Derby! relationships! From pedigrees to family trees, you will learn the ins and outs of the legacies of famous Japanese race horses featured in the Global release of the game.
Want to extend the Otafest fun? Gather your crew to join THE REBELLION rave!Once the sun sets, the textbooks are burned, and the daytime students have fled... that's when THE MIDNIGHT CLASSROOM starts! Join other delinquents at the Otafest's Official 2026 After Party where the night is young, vibrant and ripe for the taking! From Tokyo Revengers to classic anime rebels, we’re bringing the aesthetic to life at The Palace Theatre. This isn’t just a party, it’s a full experience!
✨ THE EXPERIENCE ✨ 🔥 Top Anime Hits and Remixes All Night Long! 🔥 "Mugshot" Photobooth Station - Capture "Wanted" Photos with Friends! 🔥 Underground Club - Score Anime Merch and Exclusive Gear! 🔥 Immersive Real-Time Animation Visuals! 🔥 Idol Uprising - Live J-Pop Idol group performances!
⚡SCHEDULE TO BE ANNOUNCED...
🕘 Doors open at 9PM 🔞 ID required (18+) 🎫 Secure Your Spot Now - Tickets are Limited
Sunday May 17, 2026 9:00pm - Monday May 18, 2026 2:00am MDT The Palace Theatre219 8 Ave SW, Calgary
