Otafest is Calgary’s volunteer-run, non-profit, all-ages Japanese anime and pop culture festival featuring anime screenings, an exhibitor hall, community panels, cosplay contests, voice actors, concerts, and so much more!
Admissions
8:00 – 19:00
Festival Hours
10:00 – 24:00
Exhibitor Hall
10:00 – 19:00
Admissions
8:00 – 19:00
Festival Hours
10:00 – 24:00
Exhibitor Hall
10:00 – 19:00
Admissions
8:00 – 17:00
Festival Hours
10:00 – 20:00
Exhibitor Hall
10:00 – 17:00
Each of our special guests adds their own unique flavor to the festival ♥
We add more guests throughout the year (particularly in Jan – May) so keep an eye on our social media for updates.
Here’s a taste of what’s in store.
Friday Evening
Join our musical guests for an unforgettable night of dancing and making new friends! Our concert and dance party features a lineup of musical guests from various genres that’s sure to get you moving.
Plus, it’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded folks who share your passion for music and culture. Make some friends and dance the night away.
Saturday – Sunday
Reserve your seat at the Maid and Butler Café and let our charming staff take care of you. Experience the unique and captivating entertainment, indulge in delicious treats, participate in exciting games, and enjoy an enchanting dance performance – all in one place.
The café requires a separately purchased ticket.
Preliminaries: Friday; Finals: Sunday
Witness incredible vocal performances by talented singers competing for glory and recognition! The Ota Factor is the perfect opportunity to enjoy amazing live music while supporting local performers who are ready to give their best performance.
Featuring a variety of idol cover groups, this musical event promises to be a highlight of the festival. Watch talented performers dance their hearts out, and join the crowd as we make Ota-History! With a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere, you’re sure to have a blast. The Idol Festival Contest is a competitive event that displays various Idol and J-pop dance cover groups in Otafest’s Main Events room. The Idol Festival Showcase is a non-competitive event on the Outdoor Stage that displays various Idol, J-pop and K-pop cover groups.
Outdoor events are on a weather-permitting basis.
Friday – Sunday
Our venue and the areas surrounding it make for some great backdrops for your cosplay photos! From the rooftop patio to our balloon installations, there are plenty of unique photo opportunities for you to capture and share with your friends and fellow fans.
Friday – Sunday
Otafest’s Exhibitor Hall brings together painters, illustrators, cosplay designers, stores, industry professionals, and traveling vendors into one convenient location for you to browse and shop. Some artists even take commission requests for custom pieces, allowing you to bring home something truly unique.
Meet your favorite guests at our autograph sessions, visit Otafest’s official merchandise booth for exclusive festival goodies, and check out our sponsors who help make this event possible.
Friday – Sunday
Have you ever wanted to know how you would look as a cat? a ninja? a ninja cat? Choose your favorite style from our team of talented artists and get your dream portrait sketched for a good cause. Sketch Drive, one of Otafest’s longest-running traditions (and best kept secrets) is where these ideas come to life!
Friday – Sunday
Otafest’s Community Corner is a space that provides a platform for conventions, non-profits, and groups to showcase and share their passion projects and works with the wider community. As a collaborative and inclusive space, this is where you can discover something new, exciting, and local. By supporting and promoting the work of our community, we can build a stronger, more connected, and vibrant society.
Friday – Sunday
With a variety of contests to choose from, the cosplay events at Otafest are designed to showcase your hard work, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro.
Unexpected costume mishap? The Costume Shoppe’s Cosplay Repair Station is fully equipped to handle any last-minute fixes, so you can focus on enjoying the festival and feeling confident in your cosplay creations.
Sunday
How It’s Made brings the community together by sharing knowledge and experiences in cosplay and related crafts. The event is set up just like a science fair: presenters display cosplay pieces or equipment that they have made or used, educating visitors about the processes involved. It’s all about building up the cosplay community in Calgary!
Friday – Sunday
The Otafest Arcade hosts different gaming events and spaces throughout the festival. Play in our competitive gaming tournaments and drop-in events, our Open Arcade for casual gaming, and our Mobile Corner where you can play the latest mobile and digital card games!
Friday – Sunday
The Otafest Pokémon League provides a safe space for fans to play against other fans, play for real-life badges, and have a chance at being crowned a Champion. You’ll also enjoy Pokémon-related panels, mini-games, various events, and a welcoming community!
Friday – Sunday
Are you a fan of giant robots? Do you like to build model kits? Feel free to come in and build an experience kit or 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.
Friday – Sunday
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.
Our collection is comprised of books generously donated by publisher sponsors, Otafest staff & volunteers, and members of our wonderful community.
Friday – Sunday
Our community hosted panels are great socialization events that pair you with knowledgeable hosts, place you as a contestant in game shows, or have you laughing a fit while interacting with your fellow attendees. We have a such variety of content that you’ll always have something to do!
Our panel schedule is usually available in late April / early May.
Friday – Sunday
An anime festival obviously needs anime! We have a wide range of anime series, screened throughout the weekend. Our showings provide a great opportunity for fans to connect with each other over their shared love of anime, and to discover new series that they may have missed.
Friday – Sunday
Whether you enjoy music videos playing all day, or take a break from the rush of the festival, all are welcome to enjoy the unique entertainment offered in our AMV room.
Fancy yourself an AMV Connoisseur? Grab a ballot and take your seat in the AMV contest! Votes on your favorite AMV from a full spectrum of entertaining edits.
Friday – Sunday
Otafest strives to bring your favorite voice actors, cosplayers, industry professionals, musical artists, live performers, virtual performers, and design experts to entertain, educate, and just hang out!
Meet them, greet them, exchange a story, and grab a precious autograph or picture to take home as a memorabilia that will remain with you for a long time!
Sunday
Find some truly unique lots donated by the community, Otafest’s sponsors, and a variety of others. We’ll even have some auction-exclusive official Otafest paraphernalia. Bid away and support charity in one fell swoop!
A cosplay meetup is a scheduled, unofficial group photoshoot that is open to cosplayers and fans of specific fandoms or series. We provide the space and time, you host the meetup.
Friday – Sunday
Japanese CONvenience store (コンビニ, “konbini”) meets CONvention! The doors are open and the fresh scent of melonpan is in the air! It’s your one-stop shop for specialty Japanese snacks, baked goods and drinks. Our food is a hug for your soul.
Limited quantities only so visit the Otafest CONbini early to recharge!
… and a whole lot more!
Just an elevator ride away from Otafest, you can book your stay at the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel with special rates for Otafest attendees while quantities last!
Connected directly to the Telus Convention Centre and available with a single king or two double beds, the Marriott’s rooms feature beautifully appointed furniture and hypoallergenic duvets, fitness center, and wireless internet.
Otafest is happy to provide a special attendee rate at the Marriott. Once the details are finalized, a link will appear here!
New for 2025! You’ll find a comfortable, classy refuge at the Hyatt Regency Calgary. For ultimate relaxation, visit the hotel spa or pool with breathtaking views and retreat to your spacious hotel room sanctuary.
The Hyatt Regency Calgary is right next door to Otafest and offers special rates for Otafest attendees while quantities last!
We need your help. Otafest relies on the creative contributions of the community to make each festival one to remember. Whether you’re a cosplayer, an artist, wanting to host a panel, or willing to lend a hand, we offer various opportunities to involve yourself in the festival beyond simply attending!
Otafest would be impossible without the help of our wonderful volunteers. We offer a wide range of positions across all departments, food, and scheduling that accommodates you as best as possible.
Our volunteers also usually leave with some newly formed friendships! Join the Otafam and we’ll do our best to keep you smiling throughout the whole weekend.
The best way to embrace your passion is to share it. Most of Otafest’s programming is provided by community members like you who have creative ideas to present to their peers.
Whether you’re looking to host a presentation, workshop, tutorial, game show, forum, or anything else, we’ll be your platform.
With admission discounts available for successful candidates, we’d love to see your creativity in action!
Otafest is home to a healthy variety of contests!
Whether you want to compete vocally, showcase your AMV skills, or take part in one of our many varieties of cosplay events, one of our events is sure to suit you!
Are you are an artist or hobbyist looking for an outlet to sell your fan-made work? Maybe you’re an established business wanting to expand your customer base. Whatever the case may be, our Exhibitor Hall brings thousands of patrons right to you for easy and effective exposure to your products.
Also, if you’re an emerging or experienced artist and want to join our mission to give back to the community, Sketch Drive offers a unique opportunity to hone your talents for a good cause.
Otafest hosts a live charity auction each year and we’re always looking for items to sell. We’re always looking for donated items to build up our sale inventory. Proceeds go directly to charity, so you can clear out your closet and storage while supporting a great cause.
If you’ve got some extra manga laying around, consider donating to our manga library! An open, calm space at Otafest where you can sit down with a good novel and take a break from the hustle and bustle.
Otafest welcomes Calgary Food Bank as our esteemed 2025 charity partner.
The Calgary Food Bank is the first line of emergency food support for people facing crisis, and their mission is to make food accessible to everyone in our city. Their largest and most well-known program is their Emergency Food Hamper program. This provides 7-10 days’ worth of nutritious food to individuals and families in need.
They served 173,354 Emergency Food Hampers last year, supporting their deeply held belief that no one should go without food.
The Calgary Food Bank is by community, for community, and their efforts to fight hunger are only made possible by people like you!
You can help us support the Calgary Food Bank by
With your help, we hope to raise $15,000 for those in need. Should we reach our goal, you’ll get to see our staff take part in some “fun” games during Otafest’s closing ceremonies.
Otafest is made possible by the generous contributions from our sponsors. Thank you so much ♥
Want your name or organization on this list? Email sponsorship@otafest.com to discuss our sponsorship opportunities!
Otafest
May 16 – 18, 2025
Calgary Telus Convention Centre
120 9 Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0P3
SHARE YOUR PASSION
Cosplay How It’s Made
Cosplay Meetups
Idol Festival
Panel Application
BE PART OF THE FUN
Café Application
Sketch Drive Application
Volunteer Application
PRESS
Otafest Press Kit
INFORMATION
About Otafest
Maps & Parking
Policies
Sponsors
May 16 – 18, 2025
