A huge three-day anime and cosplay festival is taking over Calgary this May

Calling all anime fans, this one’s for you!

Otafest is returning to Calgary this May, and for one weekend, the city will turn into a full celebration of cosplay, anime, gaming, art, and Japanese pop culture. Think anime panels, gaming zones, and thousands of people showing up in full character.

At its core, Otafest is all about community. It’s designed for people to meet others with similar interests and, honestly, feel completely comfortable being themselves. For many people, this event has become an annual tradition for reconnecting with friends and the community.

About Otafest 2026

According to OtaFest, what started back in 1999 as a small one-day festival at the University of Calgary has now become one of the city’s biggest fan-driven festivals.

Over the weekend, Otafest will take over multiple spaces at the Telus Convention Centre, filling them with gaming zones, panels, performances, workshops, and more. Throughout the festival, you’ll find everything from voice actors and industry guests sharing behind-the-scenes stories to vendor halls featuring local creators selling handmade art, collectibles, and prints.

One of the highlights of this year is a special appearance from Lia, a Japanese singer known for her work on popular anime soundtracks such as “Air,” “Clannad,” “Tomoyo,” and more. Fans will have the opportunity to meet her and get an autograph.

Beyond the activities, Otafest also has a strong community focus. Each year, the event partners with a select charity and raises funds through different initiatives and on-site activities throughout the weekend.

Plan your visit

If you’re planning to check out Otafest this year, it runs from May 15 to 17, 2026, with early-bird ticket prices starting at $58.69.

One thing to know is that it does get busy, especially during peak programming times, so arriving earlier in the day can make the experience much smoother. It also gives you more time to explore everything without feeling rushed, since a lot is happening across multiple spaces throughout the weekend.

Parking around the Telus Convention Centre can fill up quickly, but don’t worry- there are several parkades and paid parking lots within walking distance downtown. If you are attending with friends, carpooling or using transit is usually the easiest way to avoid the hassle of finding parking. Either way, give yourself a bit of extra time to arrive so you don’t have to rush.

Otafest is one of those festivals that you need to experience at least once. It brings together creativity, community, and pop culture in a way that is hard to replicate anywhere else in the city.

When: Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17 2026
Time: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Telus Convention Centre – 138 8th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $58.69

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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