We love filling the schedule with panel applications from you guys, the attendees, but here are some of the highlights we've put on just for you.
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony is our formal welcome party to the convention, don’t worry, attendance isn’t mandatory but who knows what announcements you might miss if you're not there.
Karaoke
Running across all 3 evenings, join our karaoke hosts calaldees and Shish for karaoke featuring songs from anime, videogames, movies and more. Use the KareKare webapp to reserve your song in the queue, then rock out with your friends!
Charity Cosplay Cafe
Doesn't everyone fancy a bit of tea and cake on a Sunday afternoon? Indulge yourself and enjoy the service of our Cosplay Maids. There's games to play and you can even get polaroids with the maids! All profits go to the Con Charity.
Pop Up Vendors at the Charity Cosplay Café
We lay out some tables around the Cosplay Café which are yours to occupy and sell your wares in exchange for a minimum donation of £10 to the Con Charity (though you can always top that up if you wish!). These are for attendees who want to try peddling their products at a convention without the pressure of committing a whole weekend, buying in enough stock and ransacking Ikea for table dressing. You can even treat yourself to some cake while you're there!
This is a first-come-first-served opportunity. You don't need to pre-register, just line up at Ops for 1pm on Sunday of the Con with your box of goodies and we'll guide you from there.
Freecycle Table
Got stuff cluttering up your desk? Pushed under the bed? Falling off your bookshelf every time you read your manga? Stuff that Ebay or the Bring and Buy just don’t seem right for? Out in the bar we’ll be managing a ‘freecycle table’. If you put it down, it’s fair game for another attendee to treasure forever. But don’t go overboard and leave the kitchen sink, okay?
Activity Room + Comic and Manga Library
Swing by the Activity Room at Hotarucon to relax and unwind! Browse a variety of comics and manga including indie gems (kindly loaned by Morag), or join in on drawing sessions and casual play. Feel free to drop in anytime—just keep an eye out for scheduled activities, as they may fill up quickly!
The Firefly Lounge
Turn up and turn out for HotaruCon's own Saturday night variety show.
This is your non-competitive, cosplay-optional opportunity to take to the main stage and dazzle your
fellow attendees with your talents. From acrobatics to the spoken word,
nothing is off the table and we're here for it. If you're not the
performing type then grab a drink at the bar, pull up your chair and
join us for an hour (or two) that promises to be...entertaining. We have
some surprises in store...
On your marks, Get set, Draw!
A list of words... random words... pulled from a hat to create your prompt, from there you have a time limit to draw your own creation using these prompt words and the HotaruCon mascots to inspire your creation. Paper and pencils will be available but feel free to bring your own materials. The loudest cheer at the Closing Ceremony wins!
On your Marks, Get Set, Cosplay!
Words pulled from a hat create your prompt... Random items (some may even call it junk) are your materials. From there you have a time limit to use the items provided and your own imagination, and a member of your team as a model to create your cosplay. The loudest cheer at the Closing Ceremony wins!
Closing Ceremony & Charity Auction
Whilst HotaruCon won’t be entirely over, this is our formal way of closing out the weekend on Sunday afternoon where we hold our charity auction, announce the winners of our competitions (or let you decide), total what we raised for the Con Charity and wrap up any loose ends.
Cosplay Ball
Time to get fancy! Dance away in your spectacular cosplays and fancy clothes - no strict dress code: just have fun. There will be live musical acts to get you ballroom dancing across the floor.