Events

Black & White Ball

You are cordially invited to a memorable weekend with the Black & White Ball! Put on those dancing shoes and join us for lessons, demonstrations, and (of course) two evenings filled with dancing!

For more information, visit the Black & White Ball page.

Have questions about the Black & White Ball? Want to know more?

Check out our FAQ!

Have any song suggestions for the Decompression Dance Party or the Black & White Ball? Want to know what you can dance to a certain song?

Email us at bwball@fanime.com

Location

San Jose Marriott – San Jose Ballroom

Closing Ceremonies

Another FanimeCon has come to a close. Let’s wrap up the con together and say farewell until next year!

Location and Times

San Jose Convention Center – LL21A & E
Monday: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Cosplay Gatherings

The Cosplay Gatherings department is in charge of scheduling officially sanctioned Cosplay Gatherings.

In addition to organizing the gatherings, we also run the Cosplay Repair Lounge, where cosplayers can fix their costumes and relax in a photo-free space.

To learn more about the Cosplay Gatherings, please email us at gatherings@fanime.com

2024 Cosplay Gathering Listing

Masquerade

Each year, the FanimeCon Masquerade hosts a cosplay contest featuring astounding cosplay, performances, and dance routines! The Masquerade is open to all FanimeCon attendees. Contestants can compete for cash prizes and make a name for themselves in the competitive world of cosplay!

Seating for the Masquerade begins at 5:00 pm on Sunday at the San Jose Civic and the show starts at 6:00 pm.

Would you like to compete in the Masquerade Cosplay Contest? We have cash prizes and awards! Please visit our Masquerade page for more information.

Locations and Times

San Jose Civic 

135 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95113
Seating: Sunday, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Masquerade Cosplay Contest: Sunday, 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Dance

FanimeCon’s Dance Hall is back in room 230! This year, we’ll be bringing you a brand new lineup featuring fresh faces who have the tunes to get you grooving all night long. These folks may be new to FanimeCon, but they’ve definitely made a name for themselves in the Bay Area music scene!

The Dance Hall will start at 8:00 pm with a variety of DJs, who will bring you all kinds of music – ranging anywhere from House, Disco, Trap… maybe even your favorite anime tracks!

FMV Contest

Regretfully, the Fanime Music Video (FMV) Contest will not be held this year at FanimeCon 2023. We hope to return in 2024 and look forward to seeing you then!

If you have any questions, email us at fmv@fanime.com.

Party Quiz: the Official Game Show of FanimeCon

Contestants will be quizzed on a medley of topics including anime, video games, and general knowledge. A single game might run from Bleach to Bayonetta to BTS, from Fullmetal Alchemist to Final Fantasy to french fries. Have you been keeping track of all of the anime series during lockdown?  Are you a fighting game specialist? Do you know your world capitals?  You never know what might come up during the games.

Some of our games will be on-the-buzzer, where the fastest reaction will have an advantage. Some of our games will need you to guess answers from our surveys. We’re also going to have picture rounds, category rounds, timed rounds, and maybe even a drawing round or two.

Players that score well can walk away with prizes such as plushies, gift cards, and figures. In addition, each day concludes with a jackpot round. Contestants can win hundreds of dollars in actual cash if they are fast enough and lucky enough. We’ve given away hundreds during each show in previous years, and we’re looking to do it again!

We select all of our contestants from the audience, so just show up and you can play and win!  Come on up, and show off your knowledge!

Locations and Times

San Jose Convention Center – Stage Zero

Party Quiz: the Official Game Show of FanimeCon
Friday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Sunday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Party Quiz: Games With Guests
Saturday: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Karaoke

Please note that masks will be required at all times in the Karaoke room including when singing. 

Whether you sing in the shower or on the radio, you’re welcome on FanimeCon’s karaoke stage, presented by the Karaoke Kaizokudan! Queue up for Open Mic Karaoke, participate in one of our amazing contests, or just take a seat and chill to the music!

Open Mic Karaoke

San Jose Convention Center Room 212 is where you’ll find Open Mic available to all
attendees. During Open Mic, you can sing just about anything – choose from our catalog of anime, video game, pop, and animated music; ask us to search our full American karaoke system; or even plug in your own music via phone!

When you arrive, simply come speak to us at the Karaoke tech desk, and we will add you to the singer queue! For the full schedule, read more…

Contests & Music Events

  • The Karaoke Contest
  • UKFC: Ultimate Karaoke Fighting Championship
  • Acoustikaroke! Contest
  • Fanimaid Karaoke
  • Dumpster Fire Talent Show (formerly known as the Gong Show!)

For more details about these events and how to sign up, read more…

MusicFest

Come rock out with some of Japan’s hottest musical acts! MusicFest strives to provide fans with the chance to meet and interact with FanimeCon’s Musical Guests of Honor during Q&A Panels, autograph sessions, and of course, a high-energy concert! And all of this is included with your FanimeCon badge!

MusicFest Concert
Location: San Jose Civic (across the street from the San Jose McEnery Convention Center)
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2024
Doors Open: 6:00 pm
Concert Starts: 7:00 pm
There will be metal detectors at all entrances. Please be prepared for the extra security screening. 

Survive Said The Prophet is FanimeCon 2024’s MusicFest Guest of Honor. An international rock band with six albums and a best-of album under their belts, they are well-known for their many anime tie-in songs. These include “found & lost” and “RED” (Banana Fish, season 1 and season 2) “MUKANJYO” (Vinland Saga, season 1), and most recently, “Paradox” (Vinland Saga, season 2).

To learn more about them, check out Survive Said The Prophet’s bio!

Opening Ceremonies

It’s time to officially kick off the long-awaited return of FanimeCon! Come by to hear about some of our special events, see our Guests of Honor, and watch some exciting performances!

Location and Times

San Jose Convention Center – Stage Zero
Friday: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Speed Dating

The place where instant connections are made and sparks ignited since 2011! The FanimeCon Speed Dating events are for 18 and over singles who are interested in meeting new people and potentially finding love!

LOCATION: Speed Dating events will be held at Hilton Almaden Ballrooms, connected to the SJCC.

Speed Dating Workshops will be in Panels 1.

Speed Dating Workshops

What is Speed Dating? How does it work? Our workshop, Speed Dating 101, is designed for those who want to find out more about our events before participating. Learn the basics, practice with us, and get out all those butterflies before the real deal! Experience low-stakes “friend-dating” under the guidance of Speed Dating staff. We will also be raffling speed dating fast passes!

Sessions

Speed Dating sessions are only offered for attendees 18 years and older. Rotate between conversations with other singles while the Speed Dating staff coordinate your mutual matches! We also offer LGBT+ sessions.

Visit Speed Dating’s web page to learn more!

Swap Meet

We are so excited to bring Swap Meet back to FanimeCon this year!  Here are a few updates for all of you who are curious!

Swap Meet will be returning Thursday 7:30 pm – Midnight and Friday 8:00 pm – 1:00 am!  Check-in for sellers will start approximately an hour and a half before doors open each night.

Swap Meet will once again be held in South Hall, the blue and white tent behind the convention center.

Swap Meet and South Hall follow the same masking requirements as the main convention center, and masks are strongly recommended before you enter the South Hall.

Swap Meet Registration is now open! Follow the link below to register for Swap Meet!

https://apps.fanime.com/2024/swapmeet