Origins Game Fair Cosplay Contest

Cosplay enthusiasts, look no further! Here at Origins Game Fair, we’ve got your golden opportunity to showcase your cosplay, and compete for incredible prizes. From fantasy and roleplaying costumes, comics, anime and everything else in between, we want to see your cosplays (and give out some fantastic prizes along the way!)

Whether you’re in it to win it, chasing the rush of strutting across the stage to display the fruits of all your hard work, or looking to feel the buzz of excitement cheering on your friends and favorites from the crowd; this celebration of cosplay is a must attend event!

What can you win? Origins Game Fair has a fantastic offering of prizes this year for craftsmanship and performance, and special prizing for costumes embodying this year’s theme!

Best in Show: $1000, a Bernette B37 sewing machine, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027
Best Master: $700, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027
Best Master Runner Up: $500, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027
Best Intermediate: $400, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027
Best Intermediate Runner Up: $300, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027
Best Beginner: $200, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027
Best Beginner Runner Up: $100, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027
Best Performance: $100, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027
Judge’s Choice Awards: $50

Sponsored Prizes:

Best Cyberpunk Costume: $1000, sponsored by R.Talsorian Games, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027
Best Pirate Costume: $150, 2 tickets to Origins Game Fair 2027, and a Pirate Borg Starter Set, a Player’s Guide and a GM screen sponsored by Limithron

For all rules, awards and important dates/registration information click the “more info” button below.

Junior Cosplay Celebration

Calling all junior cosplayers! Are you a young cosplayer dressed as a character you love, looking to show off to a crowd of fans? Do you have an awesome cosplay but are too young for the Cosplay Contest? Well we have just the event for you. The Junior Cosplay Celebration is a non-judged event for junior cosplayers to take the stage, strike some poses and take in the cheers of adoring fans! This event is for children 14 and under. All participants must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.

To participate, visit the registration table on Sunday, June 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the Origins Stage - Union Station B.

Showtime is at 10:00 a.m. at the Origins Stage - Union Station B.

Participants are first-come-first-serve.

Cosplay Photography at Origins

Docker Cap Photography is returning to Origins Game Fair 2026!

Throughout the weekend, we will be offering complimentary micro-shoots for all attendees and cosplayers within the Cosplay and Sewing Room to ensure everyone walks away with a professional souvenir of the fair.

For those looking for a dedicated experience, we are pleased to be to be offering premium 30-minute sessions this year. These slots include full posing guidance to help you look your best and coaching so you feel relaxed and comfortable - even if you've never done a photoshoot before! Each session includes 5 professionally edited images of your choice. Since these sessions are limited, we recommend booking through the portal before the show begins.

Cosplay Parade

Presenting the first annual Origins Game Fair Cosplay Parade! Join us for an exciting, family-friendly showcase of cosplay. The parade is a non-competitive event that loops the convention center where participants can show off their cosplays, and onlookers can clap, cheer and celebrate!
Parade participants must register on-site. There is a limit of 50 participants which is granted on a first come, first served basis.

Parade Rules
● Entrants must be registered attendees to Origins Game Fair 2026.
● Costumes can be made or purchased, but parade participants must be in costume (cosplay handlers do not have to be in costume).
● The parade route will have an accessible option should attendees be unable to use the escalators. Please email Origins Game Fair if you have questions about accessibility at events@gama.org.
● Participants under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older who is also a registered attendee of Origins Game Fair 2026.
Registration
● Registration for the Cosplay Parade starts at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19 at the bottom of the Hyatt escalators. Check out Cosplay Karaoke while you queue for the parade!
● Participants will receive a parade favor, line up, and parade around the convention center. The parade route is circular, so the parade will end back at the start approximately a half hour after the start time.

Craft Hackers

Craft Hackers is super excited to bring Sewing workshops to Origins!!

Craft Hackers is known for partnering with amazing teachers and cosplayers to create fun and informative workshops. Some of this years teachers include Casey Renee Cosplay, MJasmine Design, Quiltoni and Pros and Cons Cosplay!

Learn about embroidery, smocking, EPP, how to use a sewing machine and SO MUCH MORE! Take a look at all of the classes offered at https://www.crafthackers.com/origins/.

They are also having an Open Sew night! Join us Friday night for FREE in the sewing and cosplay workshop area for a fun night of sewing, laughing and GIVEAWAYS! This is going to be an Origins you won't forget!

Cosplay charity Bar Crawl

Raise a glass, save the realm. ⚔️ Matthew the Viking invites you to the first-ever Charity Cosplay Bar Crawl at Origins! We’re uniting the cosplay community for a night of signature drinks and high-energy fun. Costumes strongly encouraged but not required (all genres welcome!). 100% of proceeds benefit local food kitchens. Bonus: Earn a Gold Dragon challenge coin just for joining the crawl. Eat and drink at the first stop, drink at the rest, and give back to the community. SKÅL!

Cosplay Karaoke

"Come light up the stage as a Rockstar with Cosplay Karaoke with LemarTheConGuy!"
LemarTheConGuy is your go to convention emcee and content creator. Mostly known for turning panels, shows, and karaoke nights into amazing unforgettable moments. A Late Night comedy champion who’s performed at the World Famous Comedy Store and for crowds of 1k+, Lemar brings humor, heart, and high-energy fun to every stage.