Minnesota Gaming Conventions to Check Out in 2020

Minnesota is home to many conventions, many of which offer gaming among their activities. Whether you’re a video gamer, tabletop RPG enthusiast, board-game-hoarding dragon, lover of collectible card games, or just someone looking to socialize while enjoying a good game of any flavor, chances are there’s at least one convention for you!

Please visit convention websites for pricing and up-to-date information.

Playing Splendor at Anime Detour 2018. Rae Black

Winter

Protospiel (January 24–26, 2020)
Bloomington MN
Games: Prototype tabletop and board games

Con of the North (February 14–16, 2020)
Plymouth, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, LARP, collectible card games, miniatures

MarsCon (February 28–March 1, 2020)
Bloomington, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, collectible card games

Spring

VGM Con (March 6–8, 2020)
Minnetonka, MN
Games: Video games, board games

Anime Detour (April 3–5, 2020)
Minneapolis, MN
Games: Video games, board games, collectible card games, VR

Minicon (April 10–12, 2020)
St. Louis Park, MN
Games: Board games, puzzles

Austi-Con (May 17–19, 2020)
Austin, MN
Games: Board Games, tabletop, miniatures

Summer

MagicFest (July 10–12, 2020)
Minneapolis, MN
Games: Magic: The Gathering

CONvergence (August 20–23, 2020)
Minneapolis, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, collectible card games, LAN, VR, miniatures, Artemis: Spaceship Bridge Simulator

2D Con (August 28–30, 2020)
Minneapolis, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, collectible card games, video games, LAN, VR

Autumn

ConFABulous (October 9–11, 2020)
Bloomington, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, collectible card games, video games

DuluCon (October 16–17, 2020)
Duluth, MN
Games: Board games, video games

Anime Fusion (October 16–18, 2020)
Plymouth, MN
Games: Board games, tabletop, video games

GalaxyCon (November 6–8, 2020)
Minneapolis, MN
Games: Tabletop, board games, collectible card games, video games

The Artemis bridge simulator waits for a crew at CONvergence 2019. Rae Black

Looking for gaming in a social setting other than a convention? Here are some other groups and organizations that run regular gaming events in Minnesota:

• 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
• Twin Cities Elysium Society Knucklebones
• Twin Cities Roleplaying Association
• United Geeks of Gaming
• Weirdcards

Many gaming stores around the Twin Cities also host gaming events—check out the calendar of your favorite shop for other options! Among events localized to individual shops, many also participate in annual national and international events, such as International Tabletop Day (June 1, 2020) and Free RPG Day (June 13, 2020).

And be sure to check out our other 2020 convention guides: we have one for cosplayers and one those looking for kid-friendly cons.

Did we miss an event, group, or convention you think should be included? Let us know in the comments or by email, and be sure to add your gaming events to the free Twin Cities Geek Community Calendar!