Main Events & Schedule
Main Events & Schedule
Main Events
There’s something for every fan of festive fun at HolMat. From our Winter Cosplay Championship with incredible prizes to the Benefit Ball for charity and our wildly popular late night entertainment, Main Events is the place to be all weekend long. Get ready for some holiday cheer!
Opening Ceremonies
Greetings, and welcome to Holiday Matsuri 2022! We can’t wait to show you all the festive fun we have in store.
Meet our special guests and learn everything you need to know about this year’s show.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 10:00am Location: Main Events
KPOP Dance Cover Contest
Every K-Pop fan knows that there’s more to dance covers than memorizing moves. Music lovers, K-Pop enthusiasts and fans of epic coordinated dance covers alike will love watching this contest and seeing who comes out on top.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 1:00pm Location: Main Events
Benefit Ball: Charity on the High Seas!
Theme: Charity on the High Seas!
Holiday Matsuri’s Benefit Ball Cosplay Contest returns so be ready to give our Pirate Cosplay Court your best salute in your pirate finery for a chance to win some incredible prizes!
Bring your best Pirate costumes or Pirate Styled Character to the Ball and follow your treasure map to play Pirate Games, build your very own flag, take photos in our sets and enjoy dancing with DJNaivox, and themed performances by Somnio Strings and CRH!
This year our cosplay contest will have three themed prize packages!
The Look Out! Our 3rd place prize featuring gift certificates from Famore Cutlery, Arda Wigs, and Full Weekend Passes to HolMat 2023.
The Navigator! Our 2nd place prize featuring gift certificates from Famore Cutlery, Arda Wigs, and VIP Passes to HolMat 2023.
And Our First Mate! The 1st place prize with gift certificates from Famore Cutlery, Arda Wigs, VIP Passes to HolMat 2023 and an incredible Janome Skyline S6 Computerized Sewing Machine!
Sign-ups are AT Benefit Ball once doors open so make your way inside and look for our crew members! Space is limited so try to sign up as soon as possible.
Don’t have a costume or just not looking to join our crew yet?
That’s ok! We will be raffling a set of the same prize packages for everyone who has raffle tickets at the event so be sure to stay until the end to find out if you’ve won!
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 5:00pm Location: Main Events
Holiday Runway Contest
Ready to sleigh on the runway? Strut your stuff at the Holiday Runway Contest! This contest is all about dazzling the audience with showmanship, sequins and holiday magic. May the best holiday cosplayer win!
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 12:00pm Location: Main Events
IdolFest
Watch as some of the most sought-after Idol groups dance their hearts out on the starlight stage.
Performances will encompass all forms of idols, from anime, v-tubers, real life idols and even original acts!
This showcase performance event highlights and celebrates the idol culture we all know and love.
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 3:30pm
Holiday Rave
Join Tiny Waves for a powerhouse lineup, featuring Hyper Potions, VGR, James Landino, KINO, dj-Jo, and Water Spirit!!
With plenty of hard-hitting EDM tracks to dance to all night long, the Main Stage Rave is the place to be for ravers and con-lovers alike!
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 9:00pm to 2:00am Location: Main Events
Voice Actor Holiday Special
Join our voice actor guests for a holiday celebration like no other! Listen to stories from holidays past, and learn about their favorite holiday traditions. This is the closest you’ll get to sitting by the fire with your favorite voice actors.
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 12:00pm Location: Main Events
Winter Cosplay Championship
The Winter Cosplay Championship is more than a local cosplay contest. Through various partnerships, we have the opportunity to reward the top cosplayers with amazing sponsored prizes and trips around the world!
Winter Cosplay Championship winners have the choice of going to such events as the World Cosplay Summit in Japan, Nordic Cosplay Championship (NCC) in Sweden, or Gyeonggi International Cosplay Festival (GICOF) in Korea to represent cosplay in the US. We also offer a HolMat Cultural Exchange Cosplay Program for contest winners. We can’t wait to see everyone’s amazing cosplay creations.
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 2:00pm Location: Main Events
Closing Ceremonies
This is where we bid our final farewells of Holiday Matsuri 2022 and let you know what to expect going into Holiday Matsuri 2023! It will be one last chance to celebrate the season together before the convention draws to a close.
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 2:00pm Location: Main Events
Featured Events & Exhibits
Vendor & Exhibit Hall
Holiday Matsuri’s vendor hall is filled with over 200+ vendors and exhibitors selling a variety of anime inspired merchandise. Whether it’s anime, apparel, figures, or merchandise straight from Japan, our vendors carry a wide variety of products. We are proud to welcome exhibitors and vendors from around the world to provide the perfect Holiday Shopping Opportunity!
Date: All 3 Days Location: Vendor & Exhibit Hall
Cosplay Wonder Walk
A gallery style exhibit focused on showcasing the cosplay talent from guests and attendees of Holiday Matsuri. Marvel at the inspired works of art in the form of cosplay from cosplay guests, award winners and talented attendees located in the Vendors Room.
Date: All 3 Days Location: Vendor & Exhibit Hall
Artist Alley
Holiday Matsuri’s Artist Alley features 250+ unique artists from across the US and around the world. The perfect place to find those unique and special items ranging from original pieces, fan art, handmade crafts and everything in between.
Date: All 3 Days Location: Artist Alley
Gameroom & Tournaments
Over 30,000 square feet of the best convention gaming experience, from a wide array of Japanese import arcade machines to a large freeplay PC section.
Featuring over 22 different tournaments with massive prizes: $7500 in cash prizes and over $10,000 in gaming prizes, including 2023 US EVO Tickets & Merch, and a trip for one lucky winner to DreamHack San Diego.
Test your skills with our Daily Gaming Challenges supported by Capcom Creators and enjoy on-stage entertainment provided by Game Room Guests.
Date: All 3 Days Location: Gameroom
Cosplay Academy
The Cosplay Academy is now enrolling new students!
Attend creative cosplay and costume workshops taught by the expert level and professional cosplay guests at the Cosplay Academy!
These hands-on workshops will provide a wealth of information, tips, and you will work alongside the instructors!
Class Signups are available now!
Date: All 3 Days Location: Gameroom
Okaeri! Welcome to Dreamland Maid Cafe!
Get ready for a truly authentic Akihabara-style experience featuring refreshments, live entertainment, and a photo opportunity with the maids.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 11AM-2PM, 3PM-6PM Location: Cafe Room
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 11AM-2PM, 3PM-6PM Location: Cafe Room
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 11AM-2PM, 3PM-5PM Location: Cafe Room
Cosplay Photo Meetups
Gather around for photos in your cosplays and talk about your favorites in the anime at the Cosplay Meet and Greets. Organized by the community to meet other fans during the event themed around their favorite fandoms. Feel free to drop by in cosplay or just to snap a photo.
Date: All 3 Days Location: Throughout the Marriott and Convention Center
Itasha Track (Itasha Cars and Mini RC Itashas)
Cruise over to the Itasha Exhibit to view the vibrant displays of anime and games on vehicles!
Vehicles wrapped from front to back in their favorite fandoms and decorated to their themes impressively show off the dedication to show all in one car. Go from lifesize-to-model car as the Mini RC Itashas drift their way to showing off alongside the larger companions!
Date: All 3 Days Location: Vendor & Exhibit Hall
HolMat After Dark
After a fun festive day at Holiday Matsuri, return in the evening for HolMat After Dark, a full schedule of late night and adult themed content.
Note: Certain events are 18+ and require a age verified wristband to enter.
Note 2: There are still many family friendly events and panels continuing throughout the evening.
Hottest Men in Anime
Witness the phenomenon that is HMiA! This male-cosplay burlesque performance is now a well-loved Holiday Matsuri tradition. Watch the hottest men in anime compete for the most prestigious prize at our convention, the honor of being declared the hottest of the hot!
Note: 18+ Event. Attendees must present an 18+ wristband to enter this event.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 9:00pm Location: Main Events
Cosplay Deviants 18+ Cosplay Contest
Sometimes less is more, and the more the merrier.
Win the judges and crowd by showcasing how well you wear and work your cosplays in the 5th annual 18+ costume contest.
This event is designed for all adult cosplayers who want to show off more than just their sewing skills.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 9:00pm Location: Special Events
Cosplay Deviants 18+ Party: A Night on the Naughty List
Are you on the Naughty List? You will be after this party!
Cosplay Deviants returns to Holiday Matsuri this December for our 18+ Party: A Night on the Naughty List. Join the Cosplay Deviants for a night of drinks, dancing and deviance.
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 10:00pm Location: Special Events
BROcafe
Flex that BRO-spirit and enjoy a protein shake as the BROs carry you into a night of fun and games!
The BROcafe brings bros of all kinds living to LIFT you up into happiness. This special ticketed event is available for only one day!
Must be 18+ to attend this event
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 9:00pm
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 10:30pm
Mirai Maid Cafe After Dark: Bunny Senpai 18+
Mirai Maid Cafe Presents: Bunny Senpai treats fans and guests of anime to an 18+ Fan service type of show complete with dancing bunny girls!
$15 – Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 9:30PM Location: Cafe Room
$15 – Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 11:00PM Location: Cafe Room
$15 – Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 12:30AM Location: Cafe Room
Peppermint Parlor 18+
Enjoy the entertainment of the Peppermint Parlor alongside our Bunny Girls and charming Gentlemen.
Challenge them to a bout of games or relax in class.
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 9:00pm Location: VIP Room
*VIP Badge Not Required
Music Track
This year we are proud to announce an expanded track of musical entertainment, keeping the party going all weekend long. Including classical renditions of your favorite anime and video game tracks performed by the Sominio Strings quartet, and an expanded selection of dance parties including the CosRave and K-Pop Rave hosted by Tiny Waves!
CosRave
CosRave is Tiny Waves’s flagship event that brings the best parts of an anime convention into a music-focused space, while highlighting the fans themselves and their love of cosplay. CosRave caters to all genres and gives artists full creative liberties in their performances.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 8:00pm to 2:00am Location: VIP Room
*VIP Badge Not Required
Holiday Rave
Join Tiny Waves for a powerhouse lineup, featuring Hyper Potions, VGR, James Landino, KINO, dj-Jo, and Water Spirit!!
With plenty of hard-hitting EDM tracks to dance to all night long, the Main Stage Rave is the place to be for ravers and con-lovers alike!
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 9:00pm to 2:00am Location: Main Events
K-Pop Rave
A Tiny Waves staple show, K-Pop Rave is an undeniable powerhouse in the music scene, having hosted events with official K-Pop rookies and agencies. Consistently selling out venues, Tiny Waves’ DJs keep the high-octane spirit showcasing the best of boy groups, girl groups, and soloists.
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm Location: VIP Room
*VIP Badge Not Required
