The Cosplay Prom Experience: What Really Happens at AniMinneapolis’ Fantasy Ball

Every anime convention has events people talk about—the big cosplay contest, the late-night dances, the shopping haul that somehow costs more than planned. But at AniMinneapolis, there’s one event that quietly becomes the emotional centerpiece of the weekend: the Fantasy Ball, also known as cosplay prom.

For newcomers, the idea can feel intimidating. A formal ball? Dancing? Dates? Costumes? It’s easy to assume this is an event “for other people”—the confident ones, the experienced con-goers, the extroverts. The reality couldn’t be more different.

Held during AniMinneapolis, taking place May 8–10, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, the Fantasy Ball is designed to be welcoming, inclusive, low-pressure, and genuinely fun. It’s an event where first-timers feel just as comfortable as veterans, where friendships form easily, and where nobody cares if you show up solo, in cosplay, in semi-formal clothes, or something creatively in between.

To understand why the Fantasy Ball leaves such a lasting impression, you have to start at the moment you walk in.

Walking Into the Ballroom: The First Impression

You step off the elevator and immediately know you’re close. Music drifts down the hallway—not loud, not overwhelming, just enough to pull you forward. Attendees pass by in every style imaginable: elegant gowns inspired by anime royalty, tailored suits with subtle fandom embroidery, creative cosplay formalwear that blends character design with ballroom flair.

When the ballroom doors open, there’s no awkward pause. No sense that you’re late or doing something wrong. The lighting is warm, the space feels open, and the energy is relaxed. People are chatting, laughing, adjusting costumes, and greeting friends they met earlier that day.

This is cosplay prom without the stress. No rigid expectations. No pressure to perform. Just a shared experience waiting to happen.

How the Fantasy Ball Is Structured

The Fantasy Ball isn’t a chaotic free-for-all, nor is it a stiff formal event. It’s carefully structured to help everyone feel comfortable, even if this is your first convention—or your first dance—ever.

Before the main dancing begins, attendees can participate in free professional dance lessons. These lessons are intentionally beginner-friendly. You’re not expected to have rhythm, coordination, or prior experience. The instructor breaks things down simply, accommodates costumes, and keeps the mood light.

Once the ball is underway, the floor naturally fills and empties as people drift in and out. Some attendees dance nonstop. Others sit and watch, chat, or take photos. Both are completely normal. The event encourages participation, not obligation.

For those without dates—or those who simply want to add a little playful chaos to the weekend—the Fabulous Date Auction takes place earlier in the convention. It’s humorous, community-driven, and surprisingly wholesome. Winners might score a date to the ball, a dance partner, or simply a memorable story. Proceeds go toward improving the convention, with a portion donated to charity, making it a feel-good event all around.

What to Wear (and What Not to Stress About)

One of the most common questions first-time attendees ask is what they’re “supposed” to wear to the Fantasy Ball. The answer is refreshingly simple: whatever makes you feel good.

Some attendees arrive in elaborate cosplay formalwear inspired by anime characters. Others choose semi-formal or formal attire. Many mix cosplay elements with traditional clothing, creating outfits that are unique to the event. And yes, some people show up in creative casual looks and still fit right in.

There is no dress code policing. No one checks boxes or judges effort levels. The Fantasy Ball is about expression, not perfection.

The Emotional Heart of the Night

What makes the Fantasy Ball special isn’t the music or the décor—it’s what happens between people.

You’ll see groups of friends who met earlier that day dancing together like they’ve known each other forever. You’ll see couples sharing quiet moments between songs, still in costume, still smiling. You’ll see solo attendees gradually relax as they realize they belong exactly where they are.

For long-time AniMinneapolis attendees, the ball often feels nostalgic. For first-timers, it’s frequently the moment when the convention truly clicks. This is why people come back year after year—not just for events, but for connection.

AniMinneapolis: The Bigger Experience

AniMinneapolis isn’t just a weekend of panels and shopping—it’s a three-day, community-driven anime convention built around connection. Centered on Japanese animation, manga, video games, and Japanese culture, the event draws over 5,000 attendees without ever feeling chaotic or overwhelming. The layout, programming, and pacing are intentionally designed to feel approachable, whether this is your very first anime convention or your tenth.

Cosplay is completely optional, but creativity shows up everywhere. Some people go all out with full builds. Others wear subtle fandom outfits or comfortable clothes and still feel right at home. AniMinneapolis is less about how impressive your costume is and more about how much fun you’re having.

The Grand Cosplay Competition: Creativity on Full Display

The Grand Cosplay Competition is one of the weekend’s biggest draws, and even if you never plan to compete, it’s an absolute must-see. This is where craftsmanship, performance, and fandom passion collide on the main stage. Experienced judges evaluate costumes carefully, paying attention to detail, construction, and presentation, but the atmosphere never feels cutthroat.

What really makes the competition special is the energy in the room. Watching cosplayers bring beloved characters to life—through movement, expression, and storytelling—reminds you why cosplay is such a powerful part of convention culture. It’s celebratory, supportive, and genuinely exciting from start to finish.

Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley: Where “Just Browsing” Ends

The Exhibit Hall is one of those places where time becomes theoretical. Vendors fill the space with anime merchandise, cosplay supplies, rare collectibles, DVDs, plushies, accessories, and items you didn’t know you needed until five seconds ago. Whether you’re hunting for something specific or wandering aimlessly, there’s always something new to discover.

Artist Alley runs alongside the Exhibit Hall and offers a different kind of magic. Independent artists sell prints, handmade crafts, commissions, and original designs you won’t find anywhere else. It’s also one of the best places to actually talk to creators, learn about their process, and support fandom artistry directly. Browsing alone can be just as fun as shopping with friends—and “just looking” rarely stays that way.

Friday & Saturday Epic Dances: High Energy, No Restraints

If the Fantasy Ball is elegant and relaxed, the Epic Dances are its high-energy counterpart. Held on Friday and Saturday nights, these events are driven by top-tier DJs spinning genres like hardstyle, trance, house, and drum and bass. The music is loud, the lights are intense, and the crowd is fully committed.

You don’t have to be a dancer to enjoy these nights. Some attendees go all in on the dance floor, while others hang back, vibe with friends, or just enjoy the atmosphere. Either way, the Epic Dances are one of those experiences that remind you anime conventions know how to throw a party.

ConSweet: The Unsung Hero of the Weekend

ConSweet is quietly one of the most important spaces at AniMinneapolis. Free snacks, ramen, rice, and soda are available to badge-holding attendees, making it a lifesaver during long days of walking, dancing, and socializing. Supplies are limited, so stopping by early is a smart move.

Beyond the food, ConSweet doubles as a recharge zone. It’s where you sit down, decompress, and casually run into people you met earlier. Sometimes the best conversations happen here—halfway through a bowl of ramen, shoes kicked off, convention fatigue temporarily defeated.

Maid Café: Playful, Interactive, and Pure Fun

The Maid Café brings a lighthearted, interactive experience inspired by Japanese maid cafés, adapted to fit AniMinneapolis’ family-friendly vibe. It’s charming without being awkward, silly without being overwhelming, and designed to make you smile.

Tickets are available at the convention, snacks are included, and the experience feels like stepping into a playful corner of Japanese pop culture—one that doesn’t take itself too seriously and doesn’t expect you to either.

Meetups and Autographs: Finding Your People

Meetups are scattered throughout the weekend and are organized around specific interests, fandoms, or subcultures. Whether you’re into a particular game, fashion style, or series, meetups make it easy to find people who are just as excited about the same things you are.

Autograph sessions offer the chance to meet guests from anime, video games, and film. Some guests offer free autograph sessions, which is becoming increasingly rare at conventions. It’s a simple but meaningful way to connect with the voices and faces behind your favorite characters.

Stage Shows and Performances: Always Something Happening

The main stage is constantly buzzing with activity. Musical performances, interactive game shows, special panels, and events like Forbidden Fandom Dames’ burlesque (18+) keep the schedule dynamic. The Grand Cosplay Competition also takes place here, drawing some of the weekend’s biggest crowds.

There’s almost always something worth stopping to watch, even if you only planned to pass through for a few minutes.

Photoshoots, Gaming, and Hands-On Fun

Cosplay photoshoots and fandom meetups give cosplayers dedicated time and space to show off their work and connect with others in the same fandoms. Cameras come out, compliments fly, and friendships form quickly.

The tabletop gaming room offers demos, casual play, and even a coloring area for those who want something low-key. Arcade games like Dance Dance Revolution and Taiko drumming bring movement and nostalgia into the mix. Videogaming lounges and tournaments provide competitive and casual options alike.

One standout attraction is the Starship Astraeus escape room, a story-driven experience that feels more like stepping into an interactive sci-fi episode than solving traditional puzzles. It’s immersive, collaborative, and memorable—especially if you’re looking for something different.

Concerts, Karaoke, and Room Parties: The Social Side of the Con

Concerts bring anime-inspired music and nerdy hits to the stage, creating moments where entire crowds sing along. Karaoke in the Karaoke Krypt lets attendees take the spotlight themselves, belting out anime themes, J-pop favorites, or nostalgic classics in a welcoming, judgment-free space.

Room parties, hosted by attendees, add another layer of late-night social fun. These themed gatherings are casual, creative, and often where unexpected connections happen. They’re one more way AniMinneapolis encourages community—not just through programming, but through people.

Fan-Run Panels: Where Curiosity Takes the Wheel

One of the most underrated parts of AniMinneapolis—and one of the reasons the convention feels so alive—is its fan-run panels. These aren’t just presentations about anime trivia or fandom debates. They’re windows into the interests, skills, and curiosities of the people attending the convention alongside you.

Because panels are created and hosted by fans, the topics can go in wonderfully unexpected directions. You might walk into a room expecting light entertainment and find yourself learning how people successfully handle selling event tickets or organizing community gatherings. Another panel could focus on tourist scams to avoid when traveling to Japan, offering practical advice you’d never expect to hear at an anime convention—but are incredibly glad you did.

Some panels might explore how virtual reality is being used in classrooms, blending tech curiosity with real-world applications. Others could break down the basics of digital marketing in a way that’s accessible even if you’ve never touched analytics or ad campaigns before. You could even stumble into a session where someone explains how to make a game, sharing insights from early design ideas to finished mechanics.

Not all panels lean technical, though. One hour you might be listening to a host talk through cocktail recipes inspired by pop culture, and the next you could be learning about emerging technology or establishing careers in AI and how it’s shaping creative industries. Another panel might walk through the philosophy behind designing minimalist spaces, offering tips that could easily translate to your own room or workspace.

Language learners might find a casual introduction to learning basic Chinese, while plant lovers could sit in on a discussion about balcony gardening and how to keep plants alive in small spaces. Lifestyle-focused panels might explore what going vegan looks like in practice, or how people approach business idea generation without burning out.

You could also find panels centered on optimizing gaming setups, complete with real-world budget tips, or ones that share baking tips that are surprisingly achievable even in tiny kitchens. Another session might look at the appeal of a minimalist bedroom and how simplifying your space can actually reduce stress.

Some panelists may choose to host thoughtful discussions around women’s rights or mental wellness topics like meditation, offering space for reflection amid the convention’s high energy. And sometimes, the topic is simply whatever the host is passionate about that year—because at AniMinneapolis, that passion is reason enough.

What makes these fan-run panels special isn’t just the variety. It’s the reminder that anime conventions aren’t only about what you love on screen. They’re about the people who show up, what they know, what they’re curious about, and what they’re excited to share. You might attend one panel for fun and walk out with a new interest you never expected to pick up at an anime con—and that surprise is exactly the point.

Tickets and Planning Ahead

Early registration for tickets is strongly encouraged. Full weekend badges are available at discounted rates for a limited time, with single-day and Platinum/VIP options also available. Early registration means faster check-in, guaranteed access, and helps the convention bring in more guests.

The Hyatt Regency Minneapolis offers discounted room rates, convenient transit access, and ample event space—all contributing to a smooth, enjoyable weekend.

Final Thoughts: Why the Fantasy Ball Stays With You

When AniMinneapolis winds down and attendees pack up their costumes, the Fantasy Ball is often what lingers. Not because it was flashy, but because it was human.

You didn’t need a date. You didn’t need dance skills. You didn’t need experience. You just needed to show up.

And in that ballroom—surrounded by music, costumes, laughter, and people who genuinely wanted you there—you probably realized something important:

This is what anime conventions are supposed to feel like.