Historical Cosplay & Geek Festivals — Ontario

Anime North – Toronto, ON (May 23‑25, 2025 & historical runs since 1997)

• Founded by seven anime fan-clubs from Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton. This has become Canada’s largest anime convention.

• Trivia: Its Saturday Masquerade cosplay contest is a major draw for costuming craftsmanship. Bands can tap into anime/manga audiences for crossover performances. (animenorth.com)

Cosplay Matsuri – Toronto, ON (Aug 12, 2017)

• Held at the Ontario Science Centre as part of a “space for all cosplayers to share their passion,” featuring panels, workshops, and guest speakers.

• Trivia: It was part of the Unplugged Expo × Cosplay Matsuri programming for Sept 13‑14, 2019, showing some follow-through.

• Band angle: Anime, gaming, and cosplay crowds could have fit a crossover set perfectly.

• Status: Historical record; no listings beyond 2019 under that brand. (videogamecons.com)

Atomic Lollipop – Toronto, ON (July 17‑19, 2015)

• A quirky “Canada’s weirdest festival” at the Ontario Science Centre, blending carnival rides, cosplay, burlesque, DJ sets, lightsaber battles, and more.

• Trivia: Featured a Prozzäk reunion show, an Elijah Wood DJ set, and even a kangaroo. Perfect mix of pop-culture spectacle and audience interactivity.

• Band/Vendor tip: Marketplace + cosplay audience offered an ideal setting for anime/folk or gaming-themed music sets.

• Status: Historical event; no recent editions found. (newswire.ca)