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.
ARISIA 2025 Masquerade Awards
Workmanship Awards
Young Fan
Entry #1 - Award for Enthusiasm - Princess Peach and Raccoon Mario - assembled by Alexandra and BenjaminEntry #2 - Award for Self-guided Ingenuity - Sunny the Axolotl Wizard - made by Liora
Novice
Entry #13 - Best Embroidery - Nina Zenik - made by Gabriella LipsitchEntry #11 - Best Metalwork - Lady Loki, Goddess of Mischief - made by Chelsea Miller
Entry #10 - Best Handsewing - Gale of Waterdeep - made by Lost Sanity Cosplays
Entry #15 - Best Tailoring - Lucius Spriggs - made by Eliot Mohrmann
Entry #16 - Best in Class - Afro-Victoriana - made by Misha Bushyager
Journeyman
Entry #6 - Best in Class - Piece by Piece - made by Bethany LarzazsMaster/Craftsman
Entry #3 - Best Structural Engineering - Orospina, The Lady Embroiderer - made by Bethany PadronEntry #19 - Best in Class - Magic with a Dash of Whimsy - made by Anastasia Holt, Wren McCann, and Theryn Virginia
Best in Show
Entry #18 - Tempestus Aquillon - made by Colonial ArmoryPresentation Awards
Young Fan
Most Charming - Entry #1 - Princess Peach and Raccoon Mario - presented by Alexandra and BenjaminMost Magical - Entry #2 - Sunny the Axolotl Wizard - presented by Liora
Novice
“You So Punny!” - Entry #14 - Pack Man - presented by Riley HaydenBest Reimagining - Entry #10 - Gale of Water Deep - presented by Lost Sanity Cosplays
“Understands the Power That’s Inside” - Entry #12 - “It’s… Flareon!” - presented by Echo
“Best Recipe for Success” - Entry #8 - Bake Me a Dress (or, Pandemic Fashion) - presented by Randee Dawn
Most Glorious Presentation - Entry #11 - Lady Loki, Goddess of Mischief - presented by Chelsea Miller
Best in Class Re-Creation - Entry #15 - Lucius Spriggs - Eliot Mohrmann
Best in Class Original - Entry #16 - Afro-Victoriana - presented by Misha Bushyager