Your First Youmacon Starts Here
This Halloween, Detroit transforms. For four days, Huntington Place will come alive as anime, gaming, and cosplay enthusiasts pour in from across the nation for an experience you can’t find anywhere else. Leave your worries at the door and come as you are – or don your favorite persona – to enjoy a night of energy and expression.
First-timer? Let us guide you through everything you need to know before slipping into the shadows this Halloween weekend at Youmacon 2026.
What Is Youmacon?
- Voice actor and industry guest panels
- A massive Vendor Hall (Marketplace)
- Artist Alley featuring independent artists
- Tabletop and video gaming
- Cosplay contests and meetups
- Concerts and Idolfest late-night programming
Pick Your Passion
Cosplay
Whether you’re competing in Cosplay World Masters, the International Cosplay League, throwing on a wig for the first time, or just here to take it all in, cosplay at Youmacon is a whole language. Photoshoots, meetups, Make-and-Take workshops, hallway moments that turn into friendships. Costume optional. Energy required.
Video Gaming
Free play stations, tournaments, retro setups, fighting game brackets that go well into the night. Bring your skills, bring your friends, or just walk in and find a controller in your hand five minutes later. The gaming hall stays open late into the night; Stay caffeinated or get crushed.
Tabletop Gaming
Pull up a chair. Open play, organized events, board games, RPGs, and card games running all weekend long. New to tabletop? Even better. Some of the best Youmacon stories start with “we just sat down to watch and ended up playing for six hours.”
Art & Cultural Experiences
The Ikebana Demonstration & Workshop brings the centuries-old art of Japanese flower arrangement to the convention floor. Wander the Marketplace and Artist Alley to discover artists creating things you’ve never seen before.
Fan Art Theater
Fan Art Theater is community-made shorts, parodies, animations, and creative chaos celebrating everything we love on the big screen. Show up, sit down, lose track of time.
That’s not even half of it.
There’s Idolfest, the Charity Ball, panels with voice actors and industry guests, the Marketplace, the Garage Sale, the Ribbon Game, and late-night programming you can’t miss.
Find your thing. Then find more.
Bringing the Kids?
There’s something for the littles, too.
Youmacon is a family-friendly weekend, and we’ve built a special space just for our younger fans.
Youma Youth is your home base for kids and families, with creative workshops, origami, board games, Halloween-themed activities, a youth cosplay trick-or-treat parade, a costume contest, carnival games, and a family movie night. Located in Room 320, open Friday through Sunday.
A few things to know before you bring a minor:
- Chibi Badges are available at a discounted rate for younger attendees. Check the Event Info page for current age guidelines and pricing.
- Anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian for certain hours and programming. Some panels and late-night events are 18+ or 21+ only.
- Parents and guardians are responsible for their kids on-site. Keep them close in crowded areas and set a meet-up plan in case anyone gets separated.
- For full age policies, badge requirements, and supervision details, head to the FAQs. Everything’s spelled out there.
The future of fandom starts early. We’re happy to have them join us!
Before You Go
- Plan Your Experience. Review the event schedule, highlight must-see panels, budget time for the Marketplace and Artist Alley, and plan cosplay photoshoots and meetups in advance.
- Book your hotel early. Stay close to Huntington Place. The downtown blocks fill up first, and you’ll thank yourself at 2 a.m.
- Pick up your badge early. Avoid the Thursday evening line. Check Event Info for badge pickup times.
- Bring a portable charger. Your phone won’t survive on its own.
- Wear shoes you can live in. Huntington Place is bigger than it looks. You will walk.
- Read the Code of Conduct and Props & Weapons Policy. Especially if you’re cosplaying with anything that looks remotely sharp.
- Always ask before taking someone’s photo. Cosplay isn’t consent. Ever.
- Leave room in your schedule. The best moments at Youmacon are the ones you didn’t expect.
Still Have Questions?
Worry not, friend! First cons are full of them. Visit our First-Time Youmacon Guide and our FAQs page!
Need accessibility support? Visit the Accessibility page before you arrive.
Still stuck? Email info@youmacon.com. We’ve got you.
Don’t Miss Your Chance
Spirit & Shadows is coming whether you’re ready or not. Badges go up in price as we get closer to the weekend. Don’t wait until October to find out you waited too long.
