Our incredible 3-day convention is more than just an anime shopping experience - we have TONS of fun events at the convention! The complete schedule is published about 3-4 weeks before the convention. Here are some of the great events to expect.
Our Grand Cosplay Competition will be the best opportunity to show off your costumes and see some awesome, talented people. We have experienced costuming judges, and excellent competitors. We do everything we can to make your costumes look excellent on stage.
Our exhibit hall will be a wonderland of anime treasures, with a wide variety of vendors selling everything from cosplay costumes and accessories to rare collectibles and DVDs. Looking for the latest in anime, manga, and art? We've got you covered. Need to stock up on plushies and costume accessories? We've got that too! And for those looking for something truly unique, we'll have vendors selling handmade crafts and art inspired by your favorite anime and manga. With so much to explore, our dealers room is not to be missed!
We have several distinguished and electrifying talents in our guest list, including the likes of Greg Ayres and YTCracker. These virtuosos will set the stage on fire with an adrenaline-infused selection of EDM. Expect a non-stop, pulse-pounding journey through Jumpstyle, Hardstyle, Techno, Trance, House, and Drum and Bass. The quality of our DJs is uncompromising.
Fuel up during the convention at the ConSweet! Enjoy free snacks and drinks, available exclusively for our attendees with a badge. Whether you need a quick pick-me-up or a place to relax for a moment, the ConSweet is here to keep you refreshed and ready for more fun. Supplies are limited, so be sure to stop by early!
Discover the creativity and talent of our incredible artists in the Artist Alley. From stunning prints and handmade crafts to unique commissions and one-of-a-kind creations, the Artist Alley is the perfect place to find something special to take home. Support these amazing creators and celebrate the artistry that brings fandoms to life.
Our annual fantasy ball is free for convention attendees with a badge. Enjoy professional formal dance lessons before the event taught by an experienced instructor. For those without dates, we have a Date Auction on Friday afternoon. You're welcome to join us in your cosplay, don a semi-formal or formal outfit, or use your creativity to show up in something cool and have fun with us.
Join us for a fun and interactive experience straight out of Japan! The Royale Maid Cafe is a fun experience similar to maid cafes in Japan - but much more suited to our convention. Come, and be the king of your own maid world (you'll find out what this means!) (Note: Tickets can be purchased at the con. Snacks are included.)
Our artist alley and exhibit hall is filled with some cool handcrafted merchandise, anime memorabilia, artwork, prints, plushies, and more! Many incredibly talented artists come to our event to showcase their awesome work.
Unrivaled by any other convention, our Fabulous Date Auction is your chance to win a date to the formal ball or several if you're greedy. Proceeds go towards improving the con, and 10% of winning bids is donated to charity.
Join tons of cosplay events, including photoshoots, meetups, panels, and more. Celebrate your favorite characters in costume. Competition Rules
Meet people who share your interests. Whether it's Ball Jointed Dolls, Lolita Fashion, Kingdom Hearts, or J-Pop, you'll make friends here.
Come to meet some of our awesome guests who star in anime, video games, movies, and more! Some of our guests charge a small fee for autographs, while some guests will sign items for free during our free autograph sessions! Few other conventions still offer any free autograph signings, so we are very happy that some of our frequent guests like Greg Ayres or Gareth West will sign autographs for free. Bring your favorite manga or DVD to get signed! (no bootlegs).
Prepare for an incredible lineup of stage events that will entertain, excite, and inspire! Our stage shows include:
Check the schedule for times and join us for these unforgettable stage moments! The schedule is typically released about 3-4 weeks before the convention starts.
We are excited to feature tons of cosplay events, in addition to the mainstage grand cosplay competition, including photoshoots, meetups, panels, and much more. We schedule 'unofficial' meetup/photoshoot times for different fandoms to gather in their outfits: bring your cameras and your friends. If you are looking for the grand cosplay competition, check out the cosplay info page.
Step into our tabletop gaming room for a weekend full of fun and creativity! Try out new board games in our demo area, relax in the coloring room, or participate in casual gaming sessions with fellow attendees. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to tabletop adventures, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.
Our tabletop gaming room often includes newly released games, game tests and play tests, and more. Come have fun playing some of the most exciting and newest board games to ever be released.
We love arcade games from around the world, and our arcade gaming room is happy to bring them to you! In the past we have worked with partners including Tokyo Attack, Kdogs Arcade, and Credits Remaining to bring games like Dance Dance Revolution, JuBeat, Reflec Beat, Pop n Music, Taiko Drumming, and more. Join us and our partners for a game room filled with at least a dozen awesome arcade games.
Experience the thrill of our biggest shows on the mainstage! From epic performances to hilarious game shows and unforgettable competitions, our mainstage events are the heart of the convention. Watch alongside friends, cheer for your favorites, and be part of the excitement. Want the best seats in the house? Upgrade to Platinum and enjoy front-of-line access for all the mainstage action. Don’t miss out on the energy and fun that makes these events unforgettable!
Experience the fun of musical events on our grand stage including concerts featuring anime cover songs, fun and local entertainers, and more! Enjoy some fun mainstage experiences at our convention every year.
Our event has tons of panels, submitted and created by attendees like you. Talk about favorite shows, compete in homemade game shows, learn stuff, and more! Everything you love, from Lolita and Dolls, to Homestuck, Hetalia, and Pokemon, we'll have it. Panels can be run by fans about their favorite subjects, they could be organized by our staff, or they could be hosted by our very own guests of honor. Want to run a panel? Go to the event submission page.
Unleash your inner pop star in the Karaoke Krypt! Sing your favorite anime themes, J-Pop hits, or classic tunes with a lively audience of fellow fans. With an extensive music library and a welcoming atmosphere, karaoke is the perfect way to show off your talent, bond with friends, or just have a blast.
We pride ourselves on delivering unforgettable mainstage productions that go beyond just shopping. From dazzling performances and thrilling competitions to engaging game shows and concerts, our stage events are designed to entertain and inspire. While we feature hundreds of dealers and artists to shop from, it’s our dedication to putting on a great show that sets us apart. Come for the shopping, stay for the excitement!
We are happy to provide a lounge filled with all your favorite video game systems, consoles, etc. Grab your friends and relax competing in SSB, or sign up for a tournament at the convention.
Lost in the woods, you stumble upon an old cabin. There are human remains inside, long deceased, and …clutching an old gaming controller? Whatever happened here is about to happen again. Something has awakened in the woods, and it’s coming for you. Can you solve the mystery behind a cursed video game and a strange occult ritual before midnight? Or will you be the next victim of the Cackling Man? An escape room inspired by creepypastas, the 80s, retro video games and urban legends.
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We have a ton of awesome guests and of course you can have their autograph. Autographs from most of our special guests are free, so bring your favorite DVD to get signed (no bootlegs, please). Every year we try to have a list of guests that you may not otherwise ever get a chance to meet, so we hope you'll come out and say hi to them!
AniMinneapolis features epic concerts with some awesome nerdy musicians like YTCracker. We have also featured musical intermissions and performances by other bands doing sci-fi and anime themed performances. Each year has fun musical events!
We are very proud to feature Flame Point Games as the host to our tabletop gaming room. Here you will be able to playtest and purchase games that are published by local Minnesota companies. Check out Flame Point Games website to learn about some of their games!
Every year AniMinneapolis has a room dedicated to streaming anime. This is a chance to relax and catch up on what's new in the world of anime, or even discover a classic show that you might fall in love with.
Karaoke is huge in Japan and we think it should be a staple at conventions too. Come to the Karaoke Krypt and sing with your fellow anime fans. We have a huge library of music for you to choose from. Be sure to come by and hang out with us. Sometimes we will be playing AMVs before Karaoke sessions start.
Attendees are welcome to host their own room parties at AniMinneapolis. Room parties are interactive themed parties hosted by other congoers to celebrate their favorite fandoms or activities. Attendees can host parties in their hotel room during the convention. These are often fun social or anime-themed events. Learn More.
