The Twin Cities Geek 2021 Minnesota Convention Guide
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Fully Virtual 2021 Conventions | To Be Announced | Canceled
Sign from the CoF2E2 coffee shop at Convergence in 2019. Rae Black
It was rough for all of us in 2020, and conventions were obviously hit hard. While some of the early-year events (such as CONsole Room, Con of the North, and MarsCon) fell in the beforetimes and were able to happen in person, the vast majority of 2020 Minnesota conventions were either canceled or, especially those in the later part of the year, shifted to virtual offerings. Now that nearly a year has passed since the beginning of the COVID-19 threat in Minnesota, area cons have had more time to plan for virtual festivities.
Since it is still hard to determine when exactly in-person conventions will be possible again, this year’s annual convention round-up is focusing on one criterion for now: does this convention have virtual offerings? Many events haven’t announced their 2021 plans yet, but here’s everything we know right now.
Fully Virtual 2021 Conventions
CONsole Room (January 15–17, 2021)
Theme: Doctor Who
Virtual Offerings: Panels, art show, painting, cosplay
Con of the North (February 12–14, 2021)
Theme: Gaming of all types (board games, video games, tabletop games)
Virtual Offerings: Online gaming
MarsCon (March 12–14, 2021)
Theme: Comedy/geek music, sci fi and fantasy, pop culture
Virtual Offerings: Still in development, but this convention’s plan is to offer as much virtually as it normally would in person, and it’s likely to include concerts, panels, gaming, an art show, science, and props
Anime Detour (April 2–4, 2021)
Minneapolis, MN
Theme: Anime
Virtual Offerings: Virtual programming, including panels, will run on the convention’s Twitch, YouTube, and Discord on April 2 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. and April 3 from 12:00 to 11:30 p.m.; the programming grid is available on Anime Detour’s Facebook page, website, and Instagram
VGM CONline (April 22–25, 2021)
Theme: Video game music
Virtual Offerings: Details haven’t been announced yet, but previous in-person conventions have included panels related to gaming and music, concerts, opportunities for gaming, music clinics, and a talent show
4th Street Fantasy (June 18–21, 2021)
St. Louis Park, MN
Theme: Fantasy
Virtual Offerings: Panels, live Q&A, social events, special activities; registration is now open on the convention’s website
Two cosplayers from Anime Detour 2018. Rae Black
To Be Announced
A fair number of conventions that have yet to make any announcement for their plans for 2021. It is highly likely that some will either pivot to being virtual this year or cancel due to their planned date. (If you’re wondering why conventions often take so long to cancel, read our article on why they often have to wait until close to their event dates for contract reasons.) Others are late enough in the year that, at least as the time this article is being published, there is a shred of hope that they can proceed as planned.
Keep in mind that much of the potential for “normalcy,” or at least larger scale in-person events, is highly dependent on a number of things, including both the control of public spread of COVID-19 in the earlier parts of 2021 and the efficiency of vaccine rollouts. Also, even if a convention is able to offer in-person events, it may not be identical to conventions in 2019. This is all wild speculation, but conventions may have to enforce capacity limits or may have fewer badges available. Some may decide to offer both in-person and virtual content. Con suites may be handled differently (or eliminated all together). Dealers rooms may allow for fewer vendors. To sum up, if there’s a convention you’re excited about attending, visit its website often, follow it on social media, and/or sign up for convention-related mailing lists.
Diversicon (July 30–August 1, 2021)
Plymouth, MN
Theme: Diverse sci fi
Will It Go Virtual?: Unknown. The 2020 event was postponed to 2021.
CONvergence (August 5–8, 2021)
Minneapolis, MN
Theme: Sci fi, fantasy, pop culture, gaming, cosplay
Will It Go Virtual?: Likely. CONvergence offered virtual panels and other events in 2020.
The TARDIS at CONvergence 2019. Madeleine Vasaly
2D Con (August 27–29, 2021)
Minneapolis, MN
Theme: Gaming, primarily video games and e-sports
Will It Go Virtual?: Likely. 2D Con offered a variety of virtual events in 2020.
Crypticon (September 10–12, 2021)
Plymouth, MN
Con Focus: Horror, sci fi
Will It Go Virtual?: Unknown. The 2020 event was canceled.
Furry Migration (September 10–12, 2021)
Minneapolis, MN
Theme: Furries
Will It Go Virtual?: Possibly. While the 2020 convention was canceled, the convention held a virtual New Year’s Eve celebration.
MSP FallCon (October 9–10, 2021)
Roseville, MN
Theme: Comics
Will It Go Virtual?: Unlikely. The spring and fall events in 2020 and the spring event in 2021 were all canceled. As of March 2021, the Midwest Comic Book Fans organization is actively planning for an in-person event for October, even stretching the traditionally one-day event to two. However, they are expecting that certain expected activities, such as the costume contest and the food drive, will not be able to run due to COVID precautions.
Austi-Con (October 22–24, 2021)
Austin, MN
Theme: Gaming
Will It Go Virtual?: Unknown. As of January 2021, registration is suspended, but the convention website lists the October dates rather than the convention’s usual spring timing. The 2020 event was canceled, but Austi-Con does have a Discord server. Follow the Facebook page for updates.
Anime Fusion (October 22–24, 2021)
Plymouth, MN
Theme: Anime
Will It Go Virtual?: Likely. Anime Fusion offered a one-day virtual con in 2020.
NerdinOut Con (October 22–24, 2021)
Rochester, MN
Theme: Comics, Pop culture
Will It Go Virtual?: Unknown. As of publication, the organizers are planning for an in-person event.
DuluCon (date TBA; was in October for 2020)
Duluth, MN
Theme: Cosplay, comics, gaming
Will It Go Virtual?: Likely. The convention ran virtual events on a Discord server for 2020.
Not Happening in 2021
Minicon (originally scheduled for April 2–4, 2021)
St. Louis Park, MN
Theme: Sci fi, fantasy
Status: Mincon 55 has been postponed (again!) to 2022, when it is now scheduled for its traditional Easter weekend dates of April 15–17.
MSP SpringCon (typically May)
Roseville, MN
Theme: Comics
Status: SpringCon has been canceled, but as of March 2021, the Midwest Comic Book Fans organization is actively planning for an in-person FallCon event in October (see above).
LionCon (originally scheduled for September 25–26, 2021)
St. Cloud, MN
Theme: Cosplay, gaming, anime, pop culture
Status: Officially canceled for 2021; the convention has stated it intends to refund registrations. As of April 2021, there are no known plans for any future LionCons, but the convention hopes to return at some point in the future and will be keeping its social media accounts active.
We will periodically update this list as we get more updates from convention announcements throughout the year. If you have any information to contribute, please email us!
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About the Author
Rae Black
As an impressionable middle schooler, Rae was led to the geek side through family traditions and Science Olympiad team members. It spiraled from there. In addition to Twin Cities Geek, she writes about life, passions, geekdom, parenting, and more at Starship Suburbia.
