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
Exhibitor Hall
10:00 – 19:00
Admissions
8:00 – 19:00
Exhibitor Hall
10:00 – 19:00
Admissions
8:00 – 19:00
Exhibitor Hall
10:00 – 17:00
Each of our special guests adds their own unique flavor to the festival ♥
Check back often and keep an eye on our social media for updates.
Just an elevator ride away from Otafest, you can book your stay at the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel with special rates for Otafest attendees!
Connected directly to the Telus Convention Centre and boasting Calgary’s largest standard guestroom available with a single king or two double beds and large windows, the Marriott’s rooms feature beautifully appointed furniture and hypoallergenic Duvets, fitness center, pool access, and wireless internet.
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.
With proceeds going directly to charity, you can clear out your closet and storage while supporting a great cause. What a fantastic feeling!
Each year, Otafest selects a local charitable cause to support. Please help us reach our $5,000 goal to support the local community and remember to attend closing ceremonies for our traditional fun (and often embarrassing) games for our planning team!
You can help by participating in Otafest's Charity Auction, Angel Passes, Sketch Drive, charity panels & more! We also have donation boxes around the festival in the event that you'd like to make a direct contribution.
The charity for Otafest 2023 will be announced later this year!
We would like to thank all of our sponsors for their generous contributions to our event ♥
Otafest acknowledges that the land we gather on is the traditional territory of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also the home of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
Photos on this website are courtesy of
Elyse Bouvier, Brenrich Carandang, Plutopia Productions, Ryan Logan, Dani Sato, Chi Tang
