COSPLAY CONTEST
INFO & RULES
SATURDAY, NOV 21
CONTEST: 5pm
CHECK IN BEGINS: 2:30pm
CHECK IN DEADLINE & ORIENTATION: 3:30
CONTEST ENDS: 6pm
CONTESTANTS: Open to all ages
PRIZES
BEST OVERALL
• Cash award: $100
• Free digital photo w/Evil Santa
• Prize package (VIP exclusive gift, BOT or HFTH Shirt and BOT swag)
• 2 Weekend passes for 2027
ALL OTHER CATEGORIES
• Cash award: $50
• Free digital photo w/Evil Santa
• 1 Weekend pass for 2027
CATEGORIES
BEST OVERALL
The strongest overall costume and presentation
BEST CRAFTSMANSHIP
Best construction quality, detail, techniques, and finishing
BEST HOLIDAY HORROR
The best combination of Christmas cheer and horror fear
MOST CREATIVE
Particularly clever or inventive cosplay
FAN FAVORITE
Winner selected by the audience
CONTEST RULES
ELIGIBILITY
• Open to all ages
• Participants under 18 must have a parent/guardian’s accompanying them. Parent/guardian will be asked to sign a permission sheet during check in, agreeing to the contest and the photo/video coverage for the minor
• Costumes must be appropriate for a public, all-ages event Excessively graphic or sexually explicit costumes are not permitted
PROPS
• No functional weapons
• No real firearms or ammunition
• No explosives, flames, or dangerous materials
• Judges/event staff have final authority regarding questionable props
COSTUME CONSTRUCTION
• Purchased costumes are allowed. However, contestants who have significantly modified, altered, or created elements of their costume may receive additional consideration in craftsmanship and creativity categories
• Contestants may enter costumes they have worn elsewhere
• Contestants should disclose major purchased/rented components during pre-judging
GENERAL
• Do the contestants creations have to be horror-themed? Not necessarily, but this is a horror event so judges, and our attendees, will be more excited with a horror theme.
• All contestants, including adults, give consent that they will be photographed and/or recorded during the Horror for the Holidays Cosplay Contest. Footage may be used for marketing purposes and shared publicly on social media and our website.
• Please do not touch or jump scare attendees at the event to avoid anyone stumbling or falling.
• All contestants must have an entry ticket to take part in the contest. BUY TIX
CONTEST PROCESS
CHECK IN 2:30-3:30
The window for contestants to check in begins. Contestants are given the contest rules and their contestant numbers.
CHECK IN DEADLINE & ORIENTATION 3:30
Check in ends and contestants are given a short orientation explaining how and where the contest will take place.
PRE-JUDGING 3:45
This is where you get a one-on-one with the judges. The judges will be able to take a close up look at your costume and ask you questions on your creation.
JUDGING PROCESS
Judges will be judging contestants on the following categories:
Craftsmanship: Construction, detail, materials, finishing and difficulty
Creativity: Originality, interpretation, clever use of materials and concept
Character: Portrayal of the character, costume accuracy where appropriate and attention to character details
Presentation: Stage presence, posing, performance and confidence
Overall Impact: The “wow” factor
CONTESTANT LINE UP 4:45
Line up to get ready to showcase yourself on stage! Contestants will be lined up in order of their contestant number.
THE CONTEST 5:00
The MC will introduce you up to the stage and you have 30-60 seconds to show off your cosplay. Feel free to walk the stage, act in character, pose and show costume details. You don’t have to be over the top if you don’t feel comfortable. Just show us all of your hard work and creativity.
JUDGES DELIBERATE 5:30
Judges gather their notes from Pre-Judging and your stage performance.
AWARDS 5:45
Time for the judges to hand over the winners to our MC. Winners will be announced and invited up on stage to collect their prizes.
We thank contestants in advance for allowing us the pleasure to showcase their creations and the hard work it took to make. We're looking forward to featuring this new attraction at the event and we know the crowd will love it. Good luck fiends!