The Masquerade is a costume showcase and display of creativity by your fellow convention members. Entrants may dress as anything interesting and fun so long as they can motor themselves across the stage and back. You'll find a variety of BEMs (Bug Eyed Monsters), Transformers, faeries, royals, dragons, cosplayers (anime-inspired costumes), movie and TV characters, and just plain silly people in costume. This is a judged event and is a highlight of Arisia. If you're not part of the show, come cheer on your fellow fen. All entries are judged in one of four separate categories (Young Fan, Novice, Journeyman, and Master/Craftsman) to give everyone a fair chance.
The Masquerade will probably be Sunday night at 8 PM.
Masquerade Rules
Please read all the Masquerade Rules before signing up.
Arisia uses the skill division set up by the International Costumers' Guild. If you are unsure what division you should compete in, please read the Skills Division section of the Masquerade Rules. Please contact the Masquerade Director (Click here to show mail address) with any questions.
Halftime Entertainment
After the costume presentations are done, and while our esteemed judges are off determining the awards for the evening, our entrants are given the option to participate in the Tactile Masquerade in the hallway, which allows attendees to get an up close view of the costumes. Inside the ballroom our halftime acts will entertain you until the judges return for the awards presentation.
We will announce the halftime acts here once they have been selected.
2024 Masquerade Winners
NOVICE - WORKMANSHIP
• Honorable Membership for Wire Wrapping Technique: Entry #27, Keyleth of the Air Ashari• Honorable Mention for Tailoring: Entry #22, Bastille Dartmoor
• Best Re-Creation: Entry #8, Sith Couture
• Best Original: Entry #12, Xiomora War-Talon
• Best Assembled: Entry #6, Caleb Widogast
• Best in Class: Entry #19, Schmendrick the Magician
NOVICE - PRESENTATION
• Honorable Mention: Entry #18, “It’s … Sylveon!”• Honorable Mention: Entry #27, Keyleth of the Air Ashari
• Judges’ Choice: Entry #19, Schmendrick the Magician
• Judges’ Choice: Entry #22, Bastille Dartmoor
• Best Re-Creation: Entry #24, Roku
• Best Original: Entry #12, Xiomora War-Talon
• Best in Class: Entry #8, Sith Couture
JOURNEYMAN - WORKMANSHIP
• Best Historical Interpretation: Entry #9, Tightrope Walker• Best Prop: Entry #4, Professor Sprout and the Mandrake
• Best Re-Creation: Entry #11, Harley Quinn
• Best in Class: Entry #14, A Tin of Cookies at Your Grandma's House
JOURNEYMAN - PRESENTATION
• Honorable Mention: Entry #9, Tightrope Walker• Best Re-Creation: Entry #4, Professor Sprout and the Mandrake
• Best in Class: Entry #11, Harley Quinn
MASTER/CRAFTSMAN - WORKMANSHIP
• Best Re-Creation: Entry #2, A Stroll in the Field• Best in Class: Entry #29, A Great White Throne
MASTER/CRAFTSMAN - PRESENTATION
• Honorable Mention: Entry #10, Through the Wardrobe• Judge’s Choice: Entry #2, A Stroll in the Field
• Best in Class: Entry #29, A Great White Throne
SPECIAL AWARDS
• The Ainsley Croteau Memorial Award: The Lamb in Entry #29, A Great White Throne• Best Jabberwocky: Cart Services - Teri Gibson
• Best in Show Workmanship: Entry #16, Tempestuous Scion
• Best in Show Presentation: Entry #14, A Tin of Cookies at Your Grandma's House