Minnesota Gaming Conventions to Check Out in 2019

Minnesota has a great history of gaming, both tabletop and electronic, and conventions are a key place to pick up some gaming with friends old and new. Here are the cons you can look forward to in 2019!

2D Con 2016 via Rivet City Limited

Some of these events are dedicated gaming cons, while others have a different focus but feature enough gaming that we thought they were worth telling you about. As always, check out the event’s website for more specific information about what they are offering this year as well as the most accurate dates, locations, and prices.

Winter

Protospiel Minnesota (January 18–20, 2019)
Bloomington, MN
Games: Prototype tabletop and board games

Con of the North (February 16–18, 2019)
Plymouth, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, LARP, collectible card games, miniatures

VGM Con (February 22–24, 2019)
Minnetonka, MN
Games: Video games, board games

Spring

MarsCon (March 1–3, 2019)
Bloomington, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games

Anime Detour (March 29–31, 2019)
Minneapolis, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, video games

Minicon (April 19–21, 2019)
St Louis Park, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, puzzles

Summer

CONvergence (July 4–7, 2019)
Minneapolis, MN (new location)
Games: Tabletop, board games, collectible card games, LAN, miniatures, Artemis bridge simulator

MagicFest (August 9–11, 2019)
Minneapolis, MN
Games: Magic: The Gathering (featuring the MTG Grand Prix)

2D Con (August 23—25, 2019)
Minneapolis, MN (new location!)
Games: Tabletop, board games, collectible card games, video games, LAN

Autumn

LionCon (September 21–22, 2019)
Minneapolis, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, collectible card games

Gaylaxicon (October 18–20, 2019)
St. Louis Park, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, video games (LGBTQA+ focus, incorporating ConFABulous)

Anime Fusion (October 19–21, 2019)
Plymouth, MN
Games: Video games, tabletop

GalaxyCon Minneapolis (October 8–10, 2019)
Minneapolis, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, collectible card games, video games

Other

Obviously, conventions aren’t your only option for gaming in social settings, and Minnesota comes through for gamers in this respect too. Here are a few organizations and their regular gaming events in MN to consider checking out:

• GLITCH
• Lady Planeswalkers Society—Twin Cities
• Minneapolis/Saint Paul Pathfinder Society
• Minneapolis Old School Gamers
• Rochester Gamers Community
• Saint Paul Board Game Group
• Twin Cities Board Games Group
• The Twin Cities Elysium Society Knucklebones
• Twin Cities Roleplaying Association
• United Geeks of Gaming
• Weirdcards

Of course, virtually every gaming store in Minnesota also hosts more regular gaming events than we could possibly list, so it’s a good idea to check the calendar wherever you buy your dice for more great gaming opportunities. And don’t forget to add annual events to your calendar that many local gaming groups and game stores participate in!

• International Tabletop Day (April 27, 2019)
• Free RPG Day (June 15, 2019)

Finally, be sure to check out our 2019 convention guides to Minnesota conventions for cosplayers and kid-friendly Minnesota cons!

Did we miss a gaming group, convention, or event that you think more Minnesota gamers should know about? Please let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to take a moment and add your gaming events to the free Twin Cities Geek Community Calendar!