Discover the art of embroidery in this panel for beginner-friendly panel! Learn basic stitches, tools, and simple techniques to get started. This session will help give you ideas to begin stitching your own designs for your cosplay.
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.
Friday May 15, 2026 11:00am - 8:00pm MDT Ideation 4
Are you wanting to step into the world of competitive cosplay but all the terminology confuses you? Are you wondering what goes into a “good” competition piece? Let us make competitive cosplayers out of you!
Cosplay and artist talk about Indigenous experience in identity and cosplay, heavily focused on Kristicles' experience overlapping her artist and cosplay experiences into 1 career. Also come to learn basic Treaty 7 history!
Are you rocking an amazing, handmade costume but aren't quite ready for the spotlights on the main stage? The Cosplay Showcase is your chance to show off your craftsmanship to our judges and win amazing prizes. Day of registration is available but space is limited!
Friday May 15, 2026 2:30pm - 6:00pm MDT Ideation 1
Want to start with Cosplay but don't know where to start? Have a friend or kid that really wants to dress up and you need help figuring out what's up? Stop by and I'll give you the basics of Cosplay, the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.
Are you rocking an amazing, handmade costume but aren't quite ready for the spotlights on the main stage? The Cosplay Showcase is your chance to show off your craftsmanship to our judges and win amazing prizes. Day of registration is available but space is limited!
Friday May 15, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm MDT Ideation 1
Ever wanted to get into cosplay making but are afraid of patterns, sewing, and hand crafting each detail? Worry not! Come learn with us as we dive into the world of Cosplay Upcycling!
A brief exploration of Victorian-era history and aesthetics in anime, focusing on gothic atmosphere, class conflict, and how 19th-century settings are reimagined through stylized storytelling.
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.
Saturday May 16, 2026 9:00am - 8:00pm MDT Ideation 4
Does fabric baffle you? Are seams scary? No more! Learn about the basics of fabric and sewing, and what you need to get started in creating your first sewn cosplay!!
Have you heard that you need to write a “build book” for an upcoming competition and don’t know exactly how? Come to this panel all about building books! We’ll walk you through the “how” of writing a build book and share our own examples as masters.
Otafest's Premier Cosplay Contest featuring the Cosplay-Eh qualifiers, Canada's first National Cosplay Competition! Come be dazzled by the costumes, the skills of the performers and get caught up in the anticipation of the judges decisions. Otafest is home to some of the best cosplayers in Western Canada, so come see what our contestants have to show this year. Registration for the Fashion Show is open Saturday morning in Cosplay HQ, but space is limited! Sign up early if you want to participate!
Saturday May 16, 2026 12:30pm - 3:30pm MDT Main Events
Have a passion or lifelong pursuit that you want to bring to cosplay? Favourite anime or manga scene you want to re-enact but in your own way? This panel can help give you ideas.
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
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!
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
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
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!
