Holiday Matsuri, or HolMat, is an American multigenre convention that caters primarily to the anime, video gaming, science fiction, and cosplay communities.[2] The convention, which bills itself as a "festively themed" seasonal event,[3] has been held annually in Orlando, Florida, since December 2011. Holiday-themed events that have taken place at the convention include a Holiday Runway Contest, a Holiday Rave, and a Winter Cosplay Crown Contest.[4]

Holiday Matsuri
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre
FrequencyAnnual[1]
Location(s)Orlando, Florida
CountryUnited States
InauguratedDecember 2011; 12 years ago (2011-12)
Websitehttps://www.holidaymatsuri.com/

History

edit

The first Holiday Matsuri convention was held at a DoubleTree Hotel managed by Hilton Worldwide in Orlando, Florida, from December 16–18, 2011.[5] The convention also served as a charity event, donating a portion of its profits to Toys for Tots, and hosting a Toys for Tots Benefit Ball wherein attendees could receive admission by donating toys.[6]

The second convention, held from December 14–16, 2012, took place at an Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel in Orlando.[7] The third annual convention took place at the same location from December 13–15, 2013.[2][8] The fourth annual convention was held at the Caribe Royale in Orlando from December 12–14, 2014.[9][10] The fifth annual convention again took place at the Caribe Royale, from December 18–20, 2015.[11][12][13] The sixth annual convention was held at the Orlando World Center Marriott in December 2016.[14]

The Orlando World Center Marriott again served as the venue for Holiday Matsuri at the convention's seventh annual event, which took place from December 15–17, 2017,[15] as well as its eighth event, which took place from December 14–16, 2018,[16][17] and its ninth event, held from December 13–15, 2019.[18][19]

The 2020 Holiday Matsuri convention, which was intended as a celebration of the convention's 10th anniversary, was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[20][21] The convention celebrated its 10th anniversary on December 17–19, 2021, at the Orlando World Center Marriott.[3]

Event history

edit
Dates Location Atten. Guests
December 16-18, 2011 Doubletree Orlando Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

Orlando, Florida

American Whammy Productions, AniRage, Amelie Belche, Console Alliance, Alexis Cruz, JoEllen Elam, Traci Hines, Brittney Karbowski, Aya Knight, Scott McNeil, Nexus Gaming Alliance, PikaBelleChu, Chii Sakurabi, Steampunk Funk, Sonny Strait, Chuck Stroschein, and Brad Swaile[22]
December 14-16, 2012 Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista South

Kissimmee, Florida

AniRage, Richie Branson, Chalk Twins, D.C. Douglas, Quinton Flynn, The Gekkos, Todd Haberkorn, Yaya Han, Traci Hines, NeoFaust, Nexus Gaming Alliance, PikaBelleChu, S.S. Hanami, Chii Sakurabi, Shadowfax, J. Michael Tatum[23]
December 13-15, 2013 Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista South

Kissimmee, Florida

AniRage, Richie Branson, Chalk Twins, Jaxon, Nexus Gaming Alliance, PikaBelleChu, Pleasure Pixels, Christopher Sabat, Chii Sakurabi, Sean Schemmel, J. Michael Tatum, Cristina Vee[24]
December 12-14, 2014 Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel & Convention Center

Orlando, Florida

Chalk Twins, George Lowe, Amie Lynn, Matthew Mercer, Chii Sakurabi, J. Michael Tatum, Liz Victory[25]
December 18-20, 2015 Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel & Convention Center

Orlando, Florida

Chalk Twins, Grey DeLisle Griffin, Todd Haberkorn, Hunter "Dookieshed" Hughes, NateWantsToBattle, Nexus Gaming Alliance, Sean Schemmel, Joshua Seth, Shadowfax, Liz Victory[26]
December 16-18, 2016 Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, Florida

Steve Blum, Todd Haberkorn, Hunter "Dookieshed" Hughes, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, NateWantsToBattle, Noise Complaint, Pleasure Pixels, Indra Rojas, Liz Victory[27]
December 15-17, 2017 Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, Florida

Kay Bear, Chalk Twins, Leon Chiro, Charlet Chung, Cosplay Deviants, Geekapella, Kristen Hughey, Brandon McInnis, NateWantsToBattle, Pleasure Pixels, Indra Rojas, Alyson Tabbitha, Fred Tatasciore, J. Michael Tatum, Cristina Vee, Liz Victory[28]
December 14-16, 2018 Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, Florida

Zach Callison, Chalk Twins, Leon Chiro, Jen Cohn, Cosplay Deviants, Todd Haberkorn, Jennifer Hale, Yaya Han, Brittney Karbowski, Kaye Cosplay, Phil Mizuno, NateWantsToBattle, Lucie Pohl, Keith Silverstein, W.T. Snacks, Alyson Tabbitha[29]
December 13-15, 2019 Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, Florida

Akidearest, Ray Chase, Leah Clark, Cynthia Cranz, CRH Productions, Robbie Daymond, Yaya Han, Brandon McInnis, Max Mittelman, Phil Mizuno, Nexus Gaming Alliance, Wendy Powell, J. Michael Tatum, Diana Tolin[30]
December 18-20, 2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida[31]
December 17-19, 2021 Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, Florida

Poonam Basu, Griffin Burns, Chalk Twins, Tiffany Gordon, Yaya Han, Brandon McInnis, Xander Mobus, Lucie Pohl Pros and Cons Cosplay, Maggie Robertson, Evil Ted Smith, J. Michael Tatum[32]
December 16-18, 2022 Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, Florida

Akidearest, Kira Buckland, Griffin Burns, Chalk Twins, Beverly Downen, Brett Downen, Chris "Papa Bear" English, Ricco Fajardo, Dorah Fine, Yaya Han, Erika Harlacher, Chad Hoku, Kirilee, Jamie Marchi, Amanda C. Miller, Daman Mills, Phil Mizuno, Xander Mobus, Tony Oliver, Pros and Cons Cosplay, Keith Silverstein, Ciarán Strange, Kit Strange, Alyson Tabbitha, Teca, Liz Victory[33]
December 20-22, 2023 Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, Florida

Karan Ashley, Awesomus Prime, Dante Basco, Dani Chambers, Jen Cohn, Cowbutt Crunchies, Dorah Fine, Yaya Han, Chad Hoku, Amanda "AmaLee" Lee, Erica Lindbeck, Brandon McInnis, Alejandro Saab, Alyson Tabbitha, J. Michael Tatum, Jonathan Wheeler, Michael "Knightmage" Wilson[34]

References

edit
  1. ^ McCollum, Thaddeus (December 13, 2018). "Holiday Matsuri brings Christmas-themed anime cosplayers to Orlando World Center Marriott". Orlando Weekly. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Cutway, Adrienne (May 20, 2013). "From Star Wars to comics to gamers, Florida has events to satisfy your inner nerd". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Holiday Matsuri". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  4. ^ Emily, Mandy (December 14, 2019). "5 Comic Book and 5 Anime Conventions You Have to Attend in 2020 (That Aren't San Diego or New York Comic Con)". CBR.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  5. ^ "Calendar - Events". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. December 16, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  6. ^ "About - Holiday Matsuri". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  7. ^ "Holiday Matsuri". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  8. ^ "Holiday Matsuri". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  9. ^ "Holiday Matsuri". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  10. ^ Pope, Rich (December 19, 2014). "Fan brings 'Nerd Yoga' to Pokémon crowd". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  11. ^ "Holiday Matsuri". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  12. ^ Cutway, Adrienne (April 2, 2015). "Fans flock to Florida for conventions through 2015". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  13. ^ Fraser, Trevor (December 18, 2015). "Holiday Matsuri". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "Holiday Matsuri". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  15. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2017 - December 15-17 - Orlando World Center Marriott". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  16. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2018 - December 14-16 - Orlando World Center Marriott". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  17. ^ Plunkett, Luke (January 11, 2019). "Every Christmas, There's A Cosplay Spectacular In Florida". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  18. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2019 - December 13-15 - Orlando World Center Marriott". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  19. ^ "Adorable, it is: Fan debuts 3D-printed 'Baby Yoda' at Orlando convention". Fox 13 News. December 19, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  20. ^ Nocedo, Leo (August 1, 2020). "Holiday Matsuri 2020 Cancellation". FloridaGeekScene.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  21. ^ "Holiday Matsuri". HolidayMatsuri.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  22. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  23. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  24. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  25. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  26. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  27. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  28. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  29. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  30. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2019 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  31. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  32. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  33. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2022 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  34. ^ "Holiday Matsuri 2023 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
edit