Tips for first-timers, returning enthusiasts, or folks traveling from afar for an unforgettable experience at Otafest – where fun, friendship, and fandom thrive!
Otafest is an all-ages Japanese anime and pop culture festival. This type of event is sometimes colloquially referred to as an anime convention.
It’s a multi-day fan event with a primary focus on anime, manga and Japanese culture. We feature a variety of activities, contests, events, panels, and celebrity guests, as well as an exhibitor hall featuring vendors and artists selling their goods.
A large portion of Otafest attendees cosplay (dress up as) their favorite characters while they attend the event. Cosplay is, of course, not required to enjoy the festival, nor do cosplays have to be characters from anime. Attendees are free to dress as any character they please, or not dress up, so long as their attire follows our festival policies.
We are a space where fans can meet up with friends or make new ones, interact with their favorite celebrities, and simply enjoy themselves for a weekend.
Whether you’re going to Otafest alone, with friends, or with family, you can enjoy:
You’ll need to purchase admission to enjoy Otafest. There are single-day and weekend-long options to suit your needs.
Our schedule of events is usually released in late April or early May. Once it’s released, take a look to plan your days!
Know where you’re going! We have a venue map as well as some parking suggestions for you on our maps page.
Money, when left unchecked, tends to disappear. Plan and set aside how much money you want to spend at the festival ahead of time. The following is a list of common things you may want to budget for throughout the weekend:
Taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do.
Otafest is exciting, but you’re still human and have needs that must be fulfilled in order to survive! Please remember to:
Badges are Otafest’s proof of admission.
This means that you will have to wear your badge to enter events and rooms.
“Can I take my badge off for photos?”
Yes! Please feel free to temporarily remove your badge for photos while on festival grounds. Take special care not to lose it as lost badges will not be replaced.
These are some basics to help make Otafest a great experience for everyone.
Help us keep Otafest a safe, fun, and inclusive event (and keep the venue happy with us because we want to keep coming back).
Here are some examples of what you can do:
All props must be checked and tagged by Otafest’s Policy Enforcement team to ensure that they comply with Otafest’s policies, the venue’s policies, and is safe.
If you bring a cosplay prop to Otafest, please visit a Policy Enforcement booth when you arrive.
If a volunteer or staff member cannot see the tag on your prop, they may ask you to show it to them. If it is untagged, they will escort you to the nearest Policy Enforcement booth to have the appropriate tag applied.
Not sure if your prop is allowed? E-mail photos and a description to props@otafest.com and the team can help!
Unauthorized solicitation is prohibited at Otafest. This includes signs, unauthorized selling of goods, and/or advertising any form of service (e.g. memes such as "will step on you for $__" signs, promotional coupons for food delivery services, selling photo selfies, etc.) and will result in your expulsion from the event.
Most of Otafest’s panels are delivered by members of the community, just like you, who have dedicated their time and effort into creating engaging content for the audience.
You can show respect in panels by:
Most of Otafest’s content is all-ages.
If a panel has an age restriction, it will be indicated on the schedule as well as the banner in front of the room itself. You will require photo ID containing proof of age to enter these events.
Examples of valid identification:
Please note that temporary licenses are not valid as they do not have photos.
While there are benches and chairs around the venue, some folks opt to sit on the floor either due to comfort preferences, formal seating being occupied, or no formal seating in their immediate area.
If you wish to sit on the floor, please:
Yes. It’s a rule!
Actually, though, Otafest is a celebration so please remember to enjoy yourself. If you need any help, ask a nearby staff member or volunteer.
Many Otafest attendees are keen to make new friends, so feel free to start some conversations if you’re comfortable!
Please note that all of our organizers (“staff” included) are volunteers who dedicate their time on top of their busy lives and jobs to put on this event. Please be kind. We will always do our best to help, and sometimes that may require some patience.
In every costume, there is a real person with their own feelings and boundaries. Seeing someone in costume doesn’t mean any rules of social interaction have changed.
Always ask for permission before taking someone’s photo.
Give them the chance to strike a cool pose.
If they say no, respect their boundaries and refrain from photographing them. They may be taking a break or are simply uncomfortable with their photo being taken.
Please note as well, per our policies you may not bring any photography equipment that is self-supporting (e.g. light boxes, tripods, etc.).
Respect everyone’s personal space, this includes cosplayers.
If you would like to put your arm around them for a photo or want to have a closer look at their costume, ask first and respect their decision if they say no.
Always ask before handling a cosplayer’s prop and if they say yes, be careful when handling it.
Always ask before touching a costume, even if it’s super sugoi cool and huge!
Cosplayers have worked weeks, months, or more on their costume and all of its components. Some of those parts may be fragile. Please treat all props delicately and with respect.
Regardless of whether a costume was self-made or bought, everyone deserves to be confident and have fun with their hobbies.
It takes courage to cosplay and folks of all levels pour a lot of their time, effort, and soul into their costumes.
Please be supportive and keep Otafest a safe and inclusive space in which new talents can bloom!
Calgary is served by the Trans-Canada Highway from west to east and Alberta Highway 2 (Queen Elizabeth Highway) from north to south, becoming U.S. Route 89 in Montana.
You can also travel via Otafest’s preferred airline: Air Canada, who are offering a special discount for Otafest attendees.
The Air Canada discount code is included in your ticket confirmation email after purchase.
American citizens do not need a visa to enter Canada. A passport, however, is required for entry.
Visa-exempt foreign nationals travel to Canada by air need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid visa.
International credit cards (particularly Visa & Mastercard) will work for many purchases within Canada, but international debit doesn’t always work across borders.
It’s also always a good idea to keep some Canadian cash on hand.
Canada has no bills smaller than $5.
We have a one dollar coin referred to as the loonie and a two dollar coin referred to as a toonie. This is totally normal and if you laugh when we talk about loonies and toonies we will look at you weirdly.
Only service animals are allowed in the venue. Please leave any other pets at home!
Absolutely. Your Otafest badge allows you to come and go from the venue as you please on the days it’s valid. While there are food vendors inside, the surrounding area is packed with great restaurants if you’d like to step out for a meal. You are also welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic refreshments.
All attendees aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a ticketed guardian at all times.
Attendees with Youth Passes will not be permitted to enter event spaces without accompaniment.
Yes. Otafest provides complimentary admission for support persons through the Access 2 Card program.
Here’s how it works:
Generally, no. Your badge is your all-access pass to panels, concerts, contests, and most programming no additional purchase required.
A few special events, like our Maid & Butler Café, require a separate ticket to cover the cost of food and drinks, but these are rare exceptions.
Yes. You must present a valid, non-expired, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) to enter any 18+ programming. A festival badge is not an acceptable form of age verification. Please note that temporary paper licenses without a photo are not accepted.
Photography is welcome! However, professional, self-supporting equipment like tripods, monopods, and light boxes are not permitted. Most importantly, you must always ask for permission before taking photos of anyone. Cosplay is not consent.
No extra ticket is required! All concerts are included with your admission for the day of the show.
Keeping your badge visible at all times helps our staff and security ensure that only ticketed attendees are in the festival space. It’s a simple step that is critical for everyone’s safety.
Yes, a designated gender-neutral washroom is available. You can find its location on the festival map.
We do not offer a bag or coat check service at this time. Please be prepared to carry any items you bring with you for the day.
Yes, the venue offers public Wi-Fi. However, with thousands of attendees online, connectivity can be spotty, so we recommend not relying on it for critical use. ATMs are also located within the venue, but they can get busy and run out of cash. We suggest bringing cash with you, especially for guest autographs and the Exhibitor Hall.
All items found during the festival will be brought to the Lost & Found locations listed below. Please check there if you’ve misplaced something. Otafest is not responsible for lost or stolen items, so please keep your valuables secure.
Lost & Found Locations:
Please note that Otafest’s Information Desk (south building hallway) does not have a lost & found.
Not at all! We love seeing creativity from every corner of pop culture. You can cosplay any character you like, as long as your costume complies with our attire policies.
Your prop is the finishing touch to your cosplay, and we want you to show it off! However, safety is our absolute top priority. All props must be inspected and peace-bonded by our staff at the Prop Check station upon entry. Make sure you also read up on our Weapons & Props policies!
We love big, ambitious cosplays! If your costume is particularly large (e.g., has large wings or a train), please be mindful of your surroundings, especially in crowded hallways.
Yes! We know that accidents happen, which is why we have a Cosplay Repair Station stocked with hot glue, safety pins, duct tape, and other emergency supplies. Check the festival map for its location, our volunteers are there to help you get back on your feet.
Yes, registration is required for all cosplay contests. Specifics on whether to pre-register online or sign up at the festival vary by contest. Please check the Cosplay Contests page for full details and deadlines.
Yes, please use the name that appears on your photo ID. This is for verification purposes only in case you lose your ticket, for example, and will never be printed on your badge or any public materials.
For Angel Pass holders, your purchase form includes a separate field to specify your preferred name for your badge.
No. For security, every attendee must present their own photo ID to pick up their badge. There are no exceptions to this rule.
You bet. As long as the pass you want isn’t sold out, you can swap your single-day pass to another day or upgrade to a full weekend or Angel pass. Just follow the instructions here.
Possibly, but we strongly advise against waiting. We cap ticket sales to ensure the festival remains a comfortable, enjoyable, and fire-code-compliant experience for everyone. If a ticket type sells out online, it is gone for good and will not be available at the door. Your best bet is to buy in advance.
The prices on our tickets page are final. Otafest is a non-profit organization fueled by the passion of an entirely volunteer staff. We set our ticket prices as low as we possibly can to cover costs and keep the lights on. Every dollar from your ticket is reinvested directly into making the festival happen. We sincerely appreciate your support.
No need to print! Simply have the QR code ready on your phone when you arrive. To speed up the line, please have your screen brightness turned all the way up.
Yes! To help you beat the morning rush, we offer an early badge pickup event.
Who can attend? All Weekend-level pass holders (Angel, Weekend, Youth, and Child).
When is it? The evening before the festival officially begins.
Important Note: Single-day passes are not available at early pickup. They can only be collected on the day they are valid for.
We will email all eligible ticket holders with the exact time and location once details are confirmed.
Yes, we process full refunds (minus non-refundable service fees) until one week before the first day of the festival. After that deadline, all sales are final. You can request a refund by following the instructions here.
You can find this year’s incredible lineup of voice actors, artists, and industry creators on our home page! We’re always adding new names, so check back often for the latest announcements.
Absolutely! We love to know who the community is excited about. Guest booking is a complex puzzle of scheduling and logistics, so while we can’t make any promises, your suggestions are incredibly valuable. You can submit a guest request here.
Most of our guests attend for the full weekend. For the exact times and locations of their panels, Q&As, and autograph sessions, the official festival schedule is your ultimate guide. Once released, it will have all the details you need to plan your weekend.
Each guest sets their own prices. If a guest provides us with their rates in advance, we will post that information on their bio page on our website. Otherwise, a complete price list will be displayed at their table. We highly recommend bringing cash, as not all guests are equipped to accept card payments.
This is handled on a case-by-case basis at the guest’s discretion. When you approach their table, it’s perfectly fine to ask politely if they are offering selfies. Please be respectful of their answer and mindful of other fans waiting in line.
More questions? Please check our policies. If your query is not answered there, please email info@otafest.com.
