Thank you for your interest in the new Cosplay Showcase for Tsukino Matsuri 2026!

The Tsukino Matsuri Cosplay Showcase is your chance to strut your stuff, have some photos taken, and share some behind the scene tidbits with the audience!

The Cosplay Showcase is a lighter version of the regular Cosplay Contest held at the 3-day convention. It forgoes a judges’ panel but includes a Question & Answer period where contestants can talk about the creation process of their cosplays and performances. A ‘Showcase Star’ will be chosen by the audience at the end of the event!

Please read the rules prior to completing the online submission form (open July 06, 2026 – August 07, 2026).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Cosplay Department Director (Julianna) at cosplaycontest@tsukinocon.com.

Please note that there will be NO EXCEPTIONS to the rules below, so PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY. 

1. The Cosplay Showcase for Tsukino Matsuri 2026 will occur on Sunday August 9, 2026 at the Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion.
2. Due to the expected audience turnout, contestant seating will unfortunately not be guaranteed during the live event. Contestants will have the opportunity to watch footage of the Cosplay Showcase on Tsukino-Con’s YouTube Channel after Tsukino Matsuri 2026.
3. Contestants who submit via the online submission form prior to the deadline will be guaranteed a spot in the event
4. Day-of sign-ups will be available at the convention and close 30 minutes prior to the event start, but may not be called upon if the runtime is exceeded

Sign-Up

1. Entries for the Cosplay Showcase will open via the online submission form below on Monday July 6, 2026
2. Only one submission is required per entry, regardless of whether you are submitting as an individual or on behalf of a group
3. There is a limit of one entry per contestant. No contestant is permitted to submit or be a member of more than one entry for this event
4. Online entries must be submitted by Friday, August 7, 2026 at 11:59PM PT

Submission Cap, Running Order, and Wait-List

1. The event runtime will be capped at 60 minutes
2. There will be a day-of sign-up for the walk-on portion. An announcement will be made if the runtime cap is reached
3. Running order will not be based on submission order, but instead determined by the event organizers to maximize efficiency. The running order will be provided to contestants when they check in for orientation on Sunday. Personal requests for running order placement will not be accepted
4. To ensure that the event adheres to its scheduled timeframe, we ask that performances not exceed 5 minutes in length and walk-ons not exceed 1 minute in length 

Modification of Online Submissions 

1. If you need to modify your entry after it has been submitted (e.g. incorrect audio files, update information, change to number of people in group, etc.), you may use the “Edit Response” link provided in your Confirmation Email. You do not need to submit a new entry
2. We will NOT accept requests for manual modification of entries via email. You MUST modify your entry via the “Edit Response” link provided in your confirmation email
3. Adding new members or replacing former members of a group in an entry with new members will require modifying the entry with the updated information
4. If any individual member of a group submission withdraws from the Cosplay Showcase or is absent at the time of the event, this will not affect the group’s entry
5. Contestants suspected of parking may have their initial entries voided without notice at the discretion of the event organizers. “Parking” is when an individual or group knowingly submits an incorrect or incomplete entry for the sole purpose of reserving their position in the submission queue
6. It is the contestant’s responsibility to ensure that all information on the online submission form is correct and complete prior to submission
7. It is the contestant’s responsibility to review and modify their submitted entries for any potential errors as necessary
8. All modified entries will be finalized once the modification deadline has passed
9. Contestants may withdraw their entries at any time, including after the submission deadline has passed
10. All modifications to entries must be completed by Friday, August 7, 2026 at 11:59PM PT

Sunday Orientation, Open Stage, and Live Event 

1. We strongly encourage contestants to make use of the limited open stage time available during the Sunday orientation in order to familiarize themselves with the stage’s layout and practice their performances prior to the live event
2. Contestants are expected to be in attendance for the orientation and live event on Sunday, August 9, 2026, with the exception of washroom breaks
3. Contestants who are not present during attendance at the beginning of the orientation will be disqualified without notice

Coat-Check Fee Waiving 

1. Contestants who completed the online submission for will have the coat check fee waived for any items deposited at coat check on Sunday August 9, 2026
2. Please provide the coat check with the name/cosplay or name/group that you entered in your online submission form to be eligible to have the coat check fee waived

Storage of Personal Belongings 

1. Due to space restrictions, we will not be able to facilitate storage of personal belongings within on the main stage
2. For this reason, and to ensure the security of your belongings, we ask that you please make use of the free coat check opportunity mentioned above
3. Exceptions will be made for essential medical items and water bottles. Please keep them on your person until your stage act. Please retrieve these items once you leave the stage

Award(s)

1. Only contestants who applied via the online submission form will be eligible for an award
2. One (1) winner will be selected as the Cosplay Showcase Star. The winner will be selected via audience applause
3. The quantity of awards issued is subject to change in accordance with the total number of contestant entries. Awards will be announced at the live event after the running order has completed. In order to make the event more time-efficient, contestants who win awards will be asked to remain on-stage after being called up until after the event has formally concluded

Stage Event

1. Contestants are required to do one of the following
   1. A walk-on to show off their costume
   2. A performance. Performances are a fun way of presenting your character in greater depth and with more creativity than a walk-on would allow, and can be done by either individuals or groups. Performances can range anywhere from musical acts, comedy sketches, dance numbers, scene re-enactments, etc. The best performances provide contestants with an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to their character beyond what can be presented through costume alone.
2. Following their walk-on/performance, contestants will be asked to speak about their cosplays from an array of questions pre-selected in the online submission form. The questions are to allow the contestant to share their thoughts and process with the audience
   1. Answers should be kept to approximately 1-2 minutes each
   2. Not all pre-selected questions may be used depending on the remaining time

Audio Files 

1. All entries requiring audio files for their stage acts must upload their audio files using the online submission form
2. Contestants may upload their audio files at the time of form submission, or any time before Friday, August 7, 2026 at 11:59PM PT using the upload link provided in the online submission form
3. Only MP3-format audio files will be accepted. Links to YouTube/Streaming sites will not be accepted
4. In-person audio submissions will not be accepted
5. Only the in-house audio equipment may be used for playback of audio files and may only be operated by the convention’s designated A/V Attendants. This does not include audio-based stage props (i.e. a boombox or electronic instrument used as part of a stage act). Connecting any other devices to the in-house audio equipment (e.g. cellphones, iPods, etc.) is not permitted
6. Any modification or editing of any audio files is the sole responsibility of the contestant and must be completed prior to submission. We will not be able to edit or rip an audio file for you
7. A “Cue Notes” field will be provided in the online submission form below the “Link to Audio File” field should you require the audio to begin during a specific time or point in your performance, and/or a specific time marker within the file itself. (e.g. “Start the track when I clap my hands.”) 

Props 

1. All props used or displayed during the Cosplay Showcase must comply with Tsukino-Con’s Weapons & Props Policy
2. Contestants are responsible for providing all necessary props for their performances
3. Live flames/liquids/glitter/substances/aerosols that may cause harm to people and/or equipment in the venue, or trigger an evacuation of the building, will not be permitted
4. No props/objects/food/etc. may be thrown into the audience at any point
5. Pets and other animals are not permitted except for animals permitted by law to be on the pavilion grounds and building, such as guide dogs and service dogs as defined in the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act. 

Language and Content 

1. No foul language
2. No sexually explicit or adult content
3. No nudity
4. Bare pectorals are permitted, whereas bare breasts are not
5. No offensive/abusive/discriminatory language. We want this event to be fun and enjoyable for ALL attendees!
   1. If you are unsure whether something you are planning to incorporate into your act is permissible, please contact cosplaycontest@tsukinocon.com. 
6. No language or content that may cause your performance or walk-on to exceed a PG-13 rating. Failure to comply with any of the above rules may lead to immediate termination of your performance or walk-on, disqualification from the Cosplay Showcase, and potentially being stripped of your badge and banned from convention grounds, depending on the severity of the infraction. 

Please note that the contents of this page are subject to change without notice. Please check back periodically in order to ensure that you receive the most up-to-date information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the event organizer at cosplaycontest@tsukinocon.com. 

Click here to continue to the Cosplay Showcase Submission Form for Tsukino Matsuri 2026.