First-Timer’s Field Guide to M.A.G.E. 2025

So, you’re thinking of going to M.A.G.E. 2025—the Minneapolis Anime and Gaming Event happening October 31 – November 2, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency downtown. First of all, congrats. You’re about to throw yourself into a weekend that’s equal parts anime, gaming, cosplay, steampunk flair, sci-fi cameos, and a sprinkling of Renaissance weirdness just for fun. If you’ve never been to a convention like this before, it can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry: this is basically your cheat sheet. Think of it like a mini strategy guide that makes sure you don’t wipe on the first boss battle (a.k.a. the registration desk).

By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll know how to read the schedule without frying your brain, budget smartly so you don’t end up broke by Saturday morning, and navigate the convention space like a pro. You’ll also be prepared for the must-see events, the quirky little corners where the unexpected happens, and the rookie mistakes everyone makes once (and only once, if you’re smart).

Decoding the Schedule Without Melting Your Brain

Here’s the deal: M.A.G.E.’s schedule will look like a wall of chaos the first time you see it. Multiple “tracks” of programming run at the same time. That means while a cosplay Q&A is happening in one room, there’s a Smash Bros. tournament in another, and a fan panel about balcony gardening two doors down.

The trick? Prioritize. Circle or highlight the events that are non-negotiable for you. If you’re dying to see the cosplay contest, build your Saturday around it. Love tabletop gaming? Mark the times for tournaments or one-shot campaigns. But leave some gaps in your schedule. Why? Because some of the best convention memories happen when you ditch your plan and wander into something weird, like a crash course in digital marketing or a room where 40 people are learning how to dance to K-pop together.

Pro move: Snap a photo of the schedule on your phone or keep the online PDF handy. Don’t rely only on the printed copy because changes happen. If a guest is late or a panel gets swapped, updates usually go out fast. Flexibility is your best friend.

Navigating the Convention Map Like a Pro

The Hyatt Regency is big—like, 130,000 square feet of “wait, where even am I right now?” big. The convention map will save your life. Expect to see main events in the giant ballroom (where raves and the big stage shows happen), smaller meeting rooms for panels, and whole zones for gaming, the dealer’s hall, and Artist Alley.

My advice: Do a lap early Friday. Seriously, just wander. Find where the Maid Café is, scout out the escape room location, figure out where the con ops room is (that’s your go-to for lost items, problems, or parking discount stickers), and note where you can grab food nearby. Knowing the layout early means you won’t be sprinting across the hotel like you’re in some weird nerd Olympics when two events overlap.

The Events You Can’t Miss (and Why They’re Worth It)

This is the meat of M.A.G.E. — the stuff you’ll be talking about for weeks afterward. If it’s your first convention, you might be tempted to just “see what happens,” but trust me, you’ll want at least a mental checklist of these highlights.

The Cosplay Contest

Cosplay is definitely M.A.G.E.'s crown jewel. Cosplayers put months of work into these costumes, and the contest showcases everything from jaw-dropping armor builds to hilarious skits. Categories cover craftsmanship, performance, and, of course, Best in Show. Even if you don’t cosplay, watching is a blast. The energy in the room is electric, and you’ll leave inspired (and maybe planning your own costume for next year).

Vendor Hall & Artist Alley

If you like shopping, you might want to chain your wallet shut. The vendor hall has everything: figures, manga, plushies, imported snacks, T-shirts, and stuff you didn’t know you needed until you saw it. Meanwhile, Artist Alley is where the magic happens—independent creators selling art prints, fan zines, keychains, stickers, and custom commissions. First-timers often underestimate how much time (and money) they’ll spend here. Budget carefully or risk eating instant ramen for the rest of November.

Musical Events & Late-Night Dances

Every night, the ballroom transforms into a glowing, bass-thumping dance floor. EDM, nerdy remixes, and a sea of cosplayers bouncing under neon lights—it’s wild. There are also concerts and even the Formal Fantasy Ball if you want something a little more elegant (still nerdy, just with fancier shoes). If you’re not a dancer, don’t worry—you can still vibe and people-watch.

Special Guests

Voice actors, martial artists, performers—you name it. Guests usually do Q&As, autograph sessions, and workshops. If you’re a Kingdom Hearts fan, you might bump into Quinton Flynn. Into Digimon? Tom Fahn’s your guy. These sessions can get packed, so line up early if you really want face time.

Video & Tabletop Gaming

There’s an entire gaming floor dedicated to both video games and tabletop. We’re talking consoles, PCs, fighters, shooters, RPG speedruns—plus old-school card and board games. You can sign up for tournaments (Smash Bros., Street Fighter, collectible card games) or just walk in and join a campaign of Werewolf or D&D. Some people literally spend the entire weekend here, and it’s easy to see why.

The Maid Café

Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Uniformed maids and butlers serve you snacks, play games, and generally make you feel like royalty. It’s an extra-cost ticketed experience, so budget for it if you’re curious. First-timers usually find it surprisingly wholesome and fun.

The Escape Room: Escape from the Cabin of the Cackling Man

This is not your average puzzle box. It’s a horror-inspired escape room where you and your team solve mysteries about a cursed video game and creepy rituals in the woods. Perfect if you love puzzles, teamwork, and a good dose of spooky storytelling (fitting for Halloween weekend).

Room Parties

Ah, the con-after-dark vibe. Room parties are fan-hosted gatherings in hotel rooms, approved by the convention so things don’t get out of hand. These can be themed hangouts, social mixers, or casual spots to meet new people. If you’re staying at the Hyatt, you’ll probably stumble across at least one.

Fan-Run Panels: Expect the Unexpected

One of the things that makes M.A.G.E. stand out is its fan-run panels—sessions created by attendees for attendees. These aren’t just your standard cosplay tutorials or anime deep dives (though you’ll definitely find those). These panels are where the true magic happens: you might walk in expecting a discussion on character design and end up learning how to sell event tickets, or get insider tips on avoiding cultural faux pas when traveling in Japan.

The beauty of fan panels is their sheer variety. Some could dive into virtual reality in classrooms, which is perfect if you’re into tech, teaching, or just love imagining VR field trips. Others might explore digital marketing for beginners, or give you a crash course on game design basics—even tips for setting up your own ideal gaming station at home.

You could wander into a session on cocktail recipes, vegan cooking tips, or the joys of balcony gardening. There might even be panels on minimalist design, helping you create efficient, stylish spaces for your fandom collections.

There might even be wildcard panels with discussions on AI technology or a dive into short meditation sessions to recharge between events. Some panels might even delve into learning basic Chinese phrases for future travels, or even practical tips like saving time and money using tools like WebRaven.

You never really know what you’ll find, and that’s exactly what makes exploring the fan panel track one of the most unexpectedly rewarding parts of M.A.G.E. Part of the fun is not knowing exactly what you’ll find—and often, those quirky, smaller panels turn out to be the weekend’s hidden gems. So when a session title looks unusual, don’t skip it. Go in curious—you could walk out having learned something completely unexpected, or at the very least, have a good laugh.

Budgeting: How Not to Go Broke by Saturday

First-time attendees often underestimate costs. Let’s break it down:

• Tickets: Buy your tickets early. Weekend badges are $40. Day passes are $30 (Sunday is $15). VIP badges run $150, and they get you perks like exclusive access and priority seating.
• Hotel: Staying at the Hyatt is $135/night for attendees. Split with friends if you can. Parking is $18/day, but you can grab a discount sticker at con ops.
• Food: The ConSweet offers free ramen, rice, and soda (yes, free). But you’ll want real meals too. Downtown Minneapolis has tons of options, so budget $10–20 per meal.
• Merch: This is the wildcard. Decide on a spending cap before you enter the vendor hall. Otherwise, that $5 keychain will snowball into a $200 pile of “but it’s limited edition!”

Pro tip: Bring cash for Artist Alley. Some vendors take cards, but cash is faster and safer if Wi-Fi is spotty.

Rookie Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

Let’s start with the basics: hydration is non-negotiable. Forgetting a water bottle might seem trivial, but after hours of running between panels, gaming rooms, and cosplay contests, dehydration can turn a fun weekend into a miserable slog. Pack a refillable bottle and take advantage of water stations throughout the Hyatt Regency.

Next up: overbooking your day. M.A.G.E. is packed with incredible events, but you can’t be in four places at once—no matter how fast your legs are or how good your teleportation skills are. Prioritize the panels, tournaments, and performances you absolutely can’t miss, but leave space for spontaneous fun. Sometimes the best memories come from wandering into a random fan panel or discovering a hidden gaming nook.

Downtime matters too. Even seasoned con-goers hit a wall if they go non-stop. Sneak in short rests between events, find a quiet corner for a few minutes, or just enjoy people-watching in the lobby. You’ll thank yourself later when you can actually enjoy the 2 a.m. dance party instead of collapsing mid-rave.

Shoes are serious business. Those amazing cosplay boots might look perfect for Instagram photos, but can they survive 12 hours of walking, standing, and dashing across the convention floor? Bring comfortable backup shoes, or pack insoles to save your feet from long-term regret.

Food is fuel, not just fun. Yes, the ConSweet offers free ramen, rice, and soda, which is amazing—but don’t skimp on protein and other nutrients if you want to stay sharp and energized. Pack snacks or plan for quick meals so you can keep up with panels, contests, and spontaneous gaming sessions.

Chargers are lifesavers. Phones, Switches, portable batteries—anything you rely on needs to stay powered. Lines, schedules, and photo ops wait for no one, and running out of battery mid-event is a rookie move you’ll regret.

Finally, don’t skip the ConSweet. Free food exists. Use it. It’s one of those little perks that can save your budget while keeping you fed between events, panels, and dances. Even if you plan to explore downtown Minneapolis, having a snack or a quick meal in the hotel can save time and energy.

Mindset: Flexibility = Maximum Fun

The golden rule for first-timers? Don’t panic when plans change. Your favorite voice actor might run late. A panel might get rescheduled. Or you might just stumble across something unexpected that looks more fun than your original plan. Roll with it.

One year, a group of attendees skipped a panel to join an impromptu Mario Kart tournament in the game room. Another time, a random karaoke session turned into an entire crowd singing along. These are the moments you can’t plan for but will remember most.

Level Up: Your M.A.G.E. Adventure Awaits!

M.A.G.E. 2025 is a mashup of anime, gaming, sci-fi, steampunk, Renaissance, and nerd culture at its finest. As a first-timer, you don’t have to do it all. You just have to show up ready to explore, laugh, and maybe get a little lost (in the best way).

So grab your badge, lace up those comfy shoes, keep your schedule flexible, and let yourself be surprised. You’ll cheer at the cosplay contest, blow too much money in Artist Alley, dance until 2 a.m., and probably discover something you didn’t even know you liked. That’s the beauty of cons like M.A.G.E. You go in with one plan, and you come out with ten new stories.

See you in Minneapolis this Halloween weekend!