Frequently Asked Questions
What is OtakuFest?
OtakuFest is a three-day festival and convention that celebrates Anime, Animation, Manga, Cosplay, Video Games, Comics, Pop Culture, and all things Geek!
Highlights include:
OtakuFest will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which includes 150,000 square feet of newly renovated exhibit space, Ballrooms, and Breakout Rooms.
The Main Exhibition Room is over 125,000 square feet and will host hundreds of exhibitors, vendors, craftspeople, publishers, artists, and writers.
Our celebrity row area is where you can get autographs and photos with some of your favorite voice actors, creators, and professional cosplayers and is located in the Main Exhibition Room.
Our main events stage has seats for an audience of over 800+ and is where our main events take place, including our main Celebrity Q&As / Panels, Costume Competitions, and Concerts.
There is a dedicated Concession Zone with plenty of options for food on site and lots of space for seating.
Our ballroom stages feature more Celebrity Q&A’s/Panels, Cosplay Contests, Game Shows, and more!
Our Video Game Ballroom is the place for video game free play and tournaments.
Our Gaming rooms host tabletop gaming, including Role-playing games and CCGs.
Plus, we have over a dozen additional event rooms featuring more panels, Q&As, cosplay workshops, anime viewings, anime music videos, cultural panels, karaoke, and much, much more!
OtakuFest is a truly unique event and has more events than any other show of its kind in South Florida, with over 100 unique events!
When is OtakuFest?
OtakuFest is May 17-19, 2024
CONVENTION EVENT HOURS:
Friday: 1pm to 12am
Saturday: 10am to 12am
Sunday: 10am to 10pm
EXHIBITION HALL HOURS:
Friday: 1pm to 7pm
Saturday: 10am to 7pm
Sunday: 10am to 6pm
Where is OtakuFest?
OtakuFest takes place at The Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Where can I get a hotel to stay in town?
Host hotel information can be found here: https://www.otakufest.com/hotel
How do I get to OtakuFest?
The Miami Beach Convention Center is located at 1901 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Convention Center Phone: (786) 276-2600
DIRECTIONS:
The Miami Beach Convention Center is easily accessible from three major causeways:
I-395 McArthur Causeway
I-195 Julia Tuttle Causeway
Venetian Causeway
You can find directions and parking here: https://otakufest.com/parking-beach
Where can I park?
The MBCC Campus has a parking garage with 800 parking spaces available for use during your events with a $20 flat fee. The parking garage decks are located on the 4th and 5th level (uncovered) of the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Enter from 1901 Convention Center Drive (West) or from 2000 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (East). For Grand Ballroom events: enter from 2000 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (East). Valet service is available.
Accessible parking spots are located on the rooftop parking garage of the MBCC.
Electric Vehicle charging (EV) stations are available on the 5th floor of the MBCC rooftop parking garage.
There are multiple Municipal Parking Garages near the MBCC:
1909 Meridian Avenue
581 17th Street
1661 Pennsylvania Avenue
640 17th Street
1735 Meridian Avenue
1662 Meridian Avenue
1550 Collins Avenue
How much does it cost to get in?
You can attend the show for one, two, or three days. There are discounts for advance ticket purchases. Go to the Tickets page for all ticketing info. There are significant savings for Buddy and Squad passes, especially if you get your tickets early!
Where can I get tickets to the show?
Tickets are available in advance on our website on the Tickets Page. When you purchase your tickets online, you will get a ticket confirmation email. We do not mail individual tickets. Bring the confirmation with you to the show and that’s your ticket. If you lose it, don’t worry…. we’ll have your name on the registration list, just bring your ID.
I purchased tickets but can no longer attend. What do I do with my tickets?
While tickets are non-refundable, they are transferable! This means that you can give your OtakuFest tickets to a friend. Click HERE for instructions on how to transfer your ticket.
What happens at the show?
There’s over 150,000 square feet of events, vendors, artists, etc. With your paid registration, you get a copy of our program guide, containing a list of all the scheduled events and a show map. You can also see the schedule in advance on our website Events page. To get the most enjoyment from the convention, we encourage you to review the scheduled events ahead of time. This will ensure that you don’t miss anything you want to do in the rush of the moment. Count on having previously unknown interests piqued at least once during the convention. Also, please keep in mind that last-minute schedule changes can and will happen with little notice.
Is there food at the show?
Yes. The Convention Center is serviced by Sodexo Live!, which has a variety of snack and meal options for attendees at affordable prices.
If you’d like something else, there are many restaurants within a few-minute’s walk of the convention center.
Can I take pictures and video at the show?
Yes, you can… however, there are some rules. Please use common sense. If someone doesn’t want their picture taken or put on video, please respect their wishes. The same holds true for our celebrity guests. They are our guests and have a right to their privacy, so be nice. Many of our Vendors in the Dealers’ Room don’t like to have people take pictures of their setups, so be sure to ask first. And some of our guests charge for photos, so be sure to ask first! Basically, the answer is, Ask First! Remember, trying to take a picture of one of our guests from a distance may seem harmless to you, but they may not want you to do it. Also, when taking pictures of people in costume, or your friends, please be sure to angle yourselves so that you are not taking a picture across an aisle. When you do that, everyone must stop and wait for you to take the picture. If you move so that you are both on the same side of the aisle and take the picture in the direction of traffic flow, then people can move past you. Filming is prohibited during any viewing room screenings, but all other events are generally good to film. We do reserve the right to limit filming of an event based on a specific guest’s wishes.
How can I meet the guests at OtakuFest?
You can meet celebrities at the official OtakuFest launch party at their booth for Autographs & Selfies and at Q&As.
How much are autographs?
Artist/Comic Creator autographs could be free or available for a fee. Info is available at their booth.
Some Anime Voice Actors offer 1 autograph for free and charge beyond that. Other Anime Voice Actors charge between $20 to $50 for any autograph. Info is available at their booth.
Celebrity guests usually charge for autographs in the $25 – $80 range, with some of our headliners charging a little bit more. Celebrity agents set the autograph pricing. Some autographs are available for pre-purchase online, but all will be available for sale (cash only) at the event.
Can I get my picture taken with the guests?
Most guests will take a photo with fans if you purchase a selfie/tableside photo. (Due to Safety Guidelines this option may not be available. It will be up to each individual guest.)
What times do your guests sign autographs?
Autographs are available when celebrities are at their booths during East Exhibition Hall hours.
Do the actors have their own items to sign, or do I have to bring things for them?
Celebrities have headshots and glossy photos from their movies and shows. But you can usually bring your own items to get signed as well.
Will the Artist/Comic guests draw something for me?
Most artists will do sketches for a fee. You’ll have to check with them to find out pricing and availability.
Will So and So be there all weekend?
Be sure to look at the Guest Page. Most guests will be at the show for full the weekend.
I’m interested in an Artist Alley table. Are there any available?
Head over to the Exhibitor Page.
I want to set up a table and sell at the show, who do I contact?
You can purchase space directly from our website here, or if you have questions, you can email sales@otakufest.com or
call (786) 734-3458.
Is there a Costume Contest?
Yes! Check the Events page to see when and where.
Is there a Cosplay/Masquerade Contest?
Yes! Check the Events page to see when and where.
Are there any panels going on at the Convention?
Yes! Without panels, it’s just not a Convention! Check the Events page for a list of panels and panel times.
Is there an extra charge to attend a panel?
Most of the events at OtakuFest are included with your general admission ticket. There are very few workshops that require an additional fee.
I’m a guest, or Artist in Artist Alley or Publisher, and I would like to host my own panel. Is that possible?
Absolutely! Go to Wanna Host a Panel and apply (applications open TBD).
Can I advertise on your website or in your program book?
Yes! Go to the Sponsorship page on our website for more information.
Can I volunteer to work at the show?
Sure! We always need people! Go to Volunteer for all the info (applications open TBD).
Can you watch my kids?
No, OtakuFest does not provide Child Care services.
What are your policies concerning minors?
We encourage people of all ages to come enjoy the festival, as comic books, cartoons, anime, video games, and pop culture with an appeal for all ages. To make OtakuFest a safe and enjoyable environment for all, we do have a requirement that all attendees under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a registered attendee of OtakuFest at all times. Please direct all specific inquiries to the Registration staff at the convention.
Is the show safe for minors?
Yes! However, there are a few things you should know.
Panels and events are generally all ages, however certain panels and events will be for older audiences. These events are noted on the website and in the program guide with age recommendations. Events that are 18+ will have security at the door to prohibit minors from entering. After hours events start when the main exhibition area closes and tend to be PG-13. Again, any events that are not appropriate for minors will be marked as such.
Is there a dress code for the show?
Since many of our attendees come in costume, we only have a few rules. Keep it PG during the regular exhibition room hours. After hours keep it PG-13. Please use common sense. Shoes must always be worn (no bare feet).
Are bags and backpacks permitted into the show?
Yes, but they are subject to be checked by security at the entrance of the Convention Center. We do ask that you use common sense when toting them around, as some backpacks are large, bulky and unwieldy and can block aisles or knock into things when you turn around.
Have some questions you think should be on here but aren’t? Email them to info@otakufest.com