Nestled in the heart of scenic Happy Valley, as the crisp fall air settles and the vibrant hues paint Mt. Nittany, Setsucon’s newest event, the Anime Autumn Alley, invites you to a captivating shopping market celebrating creativity and community.
Discover one of a kind treasures from talented artists and vendors, meet up with your convention friends, and immerse yourself in the warm and welcoming vibes of this small shopping market event.
Mark your calendars for a day of shopping, community, and autumnal magic at this free to attend Setsucon experience – and go gather your friends and family for the perfect fall day trip!
Experience Setsucon’s newest free-to-attend event!
Fall into a vibrant celebration of creativity and community! Immerse yourself in the cozy autumn atmosphere as you explore from dozens of artists and vendors – discover amazing new artwork, find exclusive merchandise, and connect with fellow anime fans… all without an admission fee! Just stop by during the convention hours, grab a wristband, and shop your heart away! Whether you are a seasoned con-goer or just looking for a fun weekend activity, our Anime Autumn Alley is the perfect place to experience the magic of shopping at Setsucon in a whole new season.
Apply today to be one of our exhibitors!
Join us in a cozy and curated marketplace designed to highlight local artists and vendors which connecting them with passionate fans during the quiet months of the convention calendar. Applications are available as part of the standard Setsucon Exhibitors Application, allowing you to apply for both events all at once (entry into one event does not guarantee entry into the other).
6′ tables are available for $50 for artists and 8’x8′ booths are available for $65 for vendors. Complete exhibitor information and policies and the link to apply can be found at the bottom of the page.
Nestled in downtown State College, just steps away from the Pennsylvania State University, the Hyatt Place offers a convenient setting not just for a convention, but also to experience all that Happy Valley has to offer! Artfully designed with inviting spaces, the Hyatt Place State College offers a boutique-style atmosphere with comforts that keep you relaxed, connected, and ready to tackle the day. The hotel is conveniently located above a Target and Starbucks, with onsite dining available at the hotel or at the connected Federal Taphouse restaurant. If you are interested in staying onsite during the convention, rooms are available at a rate of $299/night + tax. You can book your room using the Setsucon hotel block rate by visiting the Hyatt Place State College booking site before September 12, 2025.
State College, PA is brimming with fun activities to do throughout your visit! Dine right onsite at the Hyatt Place by visiting Federal Taphouse, or head down College, Beaver, or Calder to one of the many restaurants and bars scattered across the Penn State downtown community. Looking to shop more? Stop by some of the many stores downtown and pick up artwork, Penn State merch, and local trinkets. And if you love cosplay photos, make sure to take a trip around campus where plenty of hidden cosplay backdrop gems can be found.
Stay Tuned for More Information About Where to Go Around Town!
Thank you for your interest in being a part of our Exhibitors Hall at the Setsucon Anime Autumn Alley. This will be our first time putting on this show, which helps to highlight amazing artists and vendors like yourself.
Please take the time to read the following policies carefully before applying, and do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.
Exhibitor applications will be open from July 1st, 2025 until July 31st, 2025 11:59:59 PM EST as part of the Setsucon 2026 application period.
You will be contacted by the Exhibitors Director informing you whether or not you have been awarded a spot in our Exhibitors Hall the week of August 11th, 2025 to August 15th, 2025. If you have been accepted, you will be contacted by the Exhibitors Director to confirm your registration and arrange payment. Payment may be made via our online payment system only; cash and check are not accepted.
We select all of our exhibitors via a jury process. We evaluate all exhibitors based on the following criteria: quality and uniqueness, overall potential appeal, relation to anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, & Japanese culture, and clarity of the application.
In order to aid in this process, we ask that you include a link to online pictures or a portfolio of your work in the space provided in the applications form.
We receive many more applications than we are able to accept and having samples of your work provided to us will greatly aid in our process. Having a juried Exhibitors Hall will ensure a wide variety of artists that can bring their best quality wares to our attendees.
Please note, the jury for the Setsucon Anime Autumn Alley and Setsucon 2026 are done independently; acceptance into one event does not guarantee acceptance into the other.
All registered exhibitors agree to abide by the following:
Important Note: Artists Alley is not a replacement for the Vendors Room. If you’re selling retail items, selling licensed merchandise (other than your own), or doing a high volume of sales, you should apply for space in the Vendors Room.
ALL HENTAI and PORNOGRAPHY are BANNED.
We ask that Exhibitors (Artists and Vendors), particularly those who sell adult material, keep in mind that this is a family oriented event and minors will be present. Think PG-13. The acceptability of displays of material is at the discretion of the Exhibitors Director.
Any material that contains nudity, is extremely or graphically violent, or is otherwise unsuitable for minors (anyone below the age of 18) is prohibited. This includes artistic nudes.
Exhibitors who display prohibited adult material in the general public’s view or attempt to sell it will be reminded once about our adult material policy. Failure to comply with warnings is cause for removal from Exhibitors Rooms (Artists Alley and Vendors Room) and forfeiture of all fees.
As the event is free-to-attend, there are no specific badges. You are welcome to bring as many people to help you as you need, but please limit the amount of people behind your table or booth to two per spot.
Artists Alley registrants are limited to a max of one (1) table. Vendors Booth registrants are limited to a max of two (2) booths. As this event is limited to about 35 tables, these maximums ensure that we are able to have a fair balance of variety while keeping the event on the smaller side.
Electricity is not available.
Full refunds of the registration fee will be given for any tables cancelled by September 4th, 2025. Any cancellations must be emailed to the Exhibitors Director by September 4th, 2025 11:59:59 PM EST. Cancellations after that date will result in the registration fees being non-refundable and non-transferable.
The Exhibitors Hall will be open for the following hours on Saturday, October 4th, 2025:
Prior to setting up your table, all exhibitors must check-in with the Exhibitors Director. Here, you will obtain the finalized location of your table. More details about this will be provided to accepted exhibitors closer to the convention weekend.
Exhibitors are solely responsible for moving in all necessary merchandise and equipment. The Exhibitors Hall is located on the second level of the Hyatt Place State College.
Check-in must be done prior to 9:30:00 AM ET on Saturday, October 4th, 2025. Any tables that have not been claimed by that time will be forfeited without refund and become available for general purchase.
Exhibitors will have until 8:30 PM on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 to completely clear out any and all merchandise and equipment brought into the venue.
Contracts and payment information will be sent out within two weeks of the notification period. All contracts are due signed and completed at the time of payment. All payments will be completed via our online payment system. We will not accept any cash, check, or money order.
Setsucon is not responsible for obtaining any licenses or permits required by local, state, and federal law for any artists within the Artists Alley. More information on the taxes and licenses required by Pennsylvania law can be found at https://www.pa100.state.pa.us/.
Though it is not a constant problem, it has come to light on occasion that an artist may overstep the limits of the table space that they have purchased for the convention. We do understand that more space means more products that you can sell, however, encroaching on someone else’s space can be both annoying and possibly dangerous.
It is out of respect for everyone’s happiness and safety that we ask you to take consideration when coordinating your designated space in the Artists Alley.
To eliminate conflict, keep in mind that you and your neighbors share a limited area. This means that your personal effects should not impede your neighbor’s ability to sit, get in and out of, or move about their space during the course of the convention. Displays should be of a manageable size and utilize your space as efficiently as possible. If you have any surplus items or boxes, we also ask that you do NOT block any exits or fire exits in the case of an emergency. Remember too, that displays shouldn’t extend into the walking paths of attendees, as the room has heavy foot traffic.
Ready to make your visit to the Setsucon Anime Autumn Alley a fantastic and smooth experience? Check out the following where you will find our event policies, helpful information, and answers to frequently asked questions. Please take a moment to review them before you arrive.
There is none! The Setsucon Anime Autumn Alley is a completely free-to-attend event.
The same policies that apply at Setsucon apply at the Setsucon Anime Autumn Alley. Please visit our Policies Page at https://setsucon.com/policies/ prior to attending the event to understand the policy expectations. If there are any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to any members of our staff.
This event is – very simply – an exhibitors hall (of about 40 or so artists and vendors). As this event is catered to offering an anime convention shopping experience in the fall in Central Pennsylvania, this event does not include any programming or scheduled activities outside of the exhibitors hall.
If you are looking to be an Artist or a Vendor at the event, you can apply on the Setsucon Artists Alley or Setsucon Vendors Room pages during the standard convention application period. Applying to the Setsucon main convention (held January 30th – February 1st, 2026) Artists Alley or Vendors Room during the application period (from July 1st to July 31st, 2025) is a prerequisite. There will be a question on the form asking if you are interested in additionally apply for the Setsucon Anime Autumn Alley; by checking yes on the question, you will automatically apply to this event as well. All applications are juried with the jury for each event being done independently. Acceptance into one event does not guarantee acceptance into the other. More information about being an exhibitor can be found in the section below.
Founded in 2007 by the Penn State Anime Organization, Setsucon brings anime, manga, and Japanese culture to the winter months in Central Pennsylvania.
Get on your dance outfits, find your glowsticks, and be ready to party all night long at our Setsu Odori Late Night Dance! Featuring our slate of DJs, this three hour dance caps off a full Saturday of excitement. So go hit the dance floor, vibe to the groove, and finish out the night with us!
Experience this one-of-a-kind idol showcase event where we celebrate idols taking back power! This wild, unhinged, and memey event gives idols the chance to perform to whatever genre of music they want… and they won’t be the songs you are used to seeing idols perform to!
Looking to perform in the Idol’s Revenge Showcase? Click the button below to learn more about applications.
Step into the world of The Divas! This incredible group of drag performers – Ashlynn Manhattan, Amethyst, & Hexxa, led by their host Enigman – hit the Setsucon stage on Friday Night! With dazzling lip-syncs & jaw dropping performances, you will not want to miss the kickoff event of the con! [18+ Only Event]
The Setsucon Main Events stage has been graced by many performers throughout its history! Listen to awesome music from the featured performance group each year during our Saturday Night Concert – stay tuned to find out who will be performing this coming year.
No matter the style of game that you are looking for, hop on to one of the many consoles, both modern and retro, that our room has and give a try in our console gaming section of the Video Gaming Room, presented by Origin of Play. The catalog of games is endless – consisting of all the fan favorites, including numerous fighting games, rhythm style games, and party games.
And think you have what it takes to be the ultimate champion of the winter battle season? Enter our free-to-play tournaments all weekend long!
Stop by the Tabletop Gaming Room throughout the convention weekend to experience a multitude of games to enjoy! You’ll find a wide selection of board games and miniature activities, presented by Snake Eyes Gaming, for both the casual and expert player, and opportunities to dive into a tabletop role playing game, presented by The Quelmar Realm. Whether you’ve mastered every board game out there, or just want to learn a new one, we have something for you. Have your own tabletop games that you want to play? We have space for that too – just find an open table, set down to play your own game!
Are you ready to throwdown and duel? Get your decks out and be ready to play in our Card Gaming events, presented by Jake’s Cards & Games! From Magic the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh to Pokemon trade and play events, we have a variety of card gaming tournaments and activities to keep you busy throughout the weekend. Or just pop into the Tabletop Gaming room and set up a game yourself!
Take yourself away on a trip to a Japanese arcade and play some of the best arcade cabinets around – provided by Snow Phoenix! Check out the different arcade cabinets, with popular types of cabs such as dance and rhythm games. Or give yourself a test with some of the Japanese crane machines – provided by Kawaii Catchers. Test your skill and precision to try and win fun prizes from these machines!
Share in your favorite hobby, learn a new craft, or watch as creativity comes to life with our workshop programming track.
If you are looking to present a workshop, click the link to learn more about workshop applications.
If you are looking to learn something new, laugh about your favorite characters, share in some anime history and fandom, or take home a new experience that you haven’t gotten elsewhere – then dive into some amazing panels – presented by you, our attendees! Stay tuned for the full schedule as we get close to con.
If you are looking to present a panel, click the link to learn more about panel applications.
Kick of the convention with a throwback to our Twitch days with a Friday Night Party Night! Get out your comfy PJs and join us for some Jackbox Games – come prepared with creativity and be ready to laugh the night away!
Join us as we showcase the many AMVs from around the world that are submitted into our contest each year! With a contest that grows each year – now containing over 60 AMVs across five different categories, there is something for everyone – from laugh out loud comedies to tearjerking videos, our AMV entries cover the full spectrum of emotions sliced together for a major joyride.
Learn more about the history of our AMV Contest – and if you are an AMV Creator, click the button below to enter your creation into our contest!
Check out wig styling skills in action! Participants have just 60 minutes to cut and style a pre-selected wig, and model it in front of our judges! Stylists can maximize their score by ensuring cleanliness, complexity, wearability, & creativity – all on their way to winning the grand prize! Sign-ups are held a few months before convention.
Our premier cosplay event on the Main Stage – the Cosplay Masquerade Showcase! Come be entertained with some of the top skits and talents for a showcase of cosplay prowess, fashion, singing, dancing, variety, fun, and much more!
This event puts your ultimate cosplay skills to the test to be as creative as possible given a box of who knows what to work with! Watch as contestants face off against one another in a clash of cosplay creativity, cooperation, and skill to make a unique cosplay.
Show off your cosplay creation to our panel of judges! All entrants will have a chance to present their handmade cosplays to our judges and compete for a chance to win prizes! All experience levels are welcome – showcase your handcrafted cosplays and your hard work in our premier craftsmanship event.
Stop by the Cosplay Photo Suite in the Exhibitors Hall during the weekend for free professional cosplay photos, presented by our friends at The Variant. With unique backdrops and pro photographers at the ready, this is a great opportunity to have your cosplay captured in memorable photos that will be available after the convention on their website.
Are you ready to see what characters can find the match of their dreams? The Cosplay Dating Game allows your favorite characters to find their happily ever after… or at least someone for the night. Join us for this hilarious event and be ready to laugh as our characters give love a try! [18+]
Take a break, watch a new show, and dive into some anime in our Viewings room! Whether it is a new show, old favorite, or hidden gem – take a seat and watch a show!
If you have merch, toys, games, collectables, or items that are looking for a new home, stop by the Swap Meet on Friday Night to see what items you can grab in exchange! Walk away from the event with your new favorite treasure!
The Setsucon Silent Auction is dedicated in memory of the late voice actor, Setsucon guest, and Pennsylvania native Billy Kametz. Visit the Silent Auction booth in the Exhibitors Hall to place bids during the con. All proceeds are donated directly to the Colon Cancer Coalition, which raises the awareness about the importance of colorectal screenings and colonoscopies to decrease deaths from colon cancer.
Do you love reading? Take a break and enjoy our extensive Manga Library, featuring the Penn State Anime Organization collection! We have over 500 volumes to choose from – with both popular titles & hidden gems to explore! Unleash your inner bookworm & dig into a good read!
The PSAO Laura Rayman Memorial Manga Library, which was renamed in 2016 in memory of long-time Setsucon attendee, manga lover, and Central PA native Laura Rayman, is a fast growing collection of titles both new and old. Their collection is mostly donation based, having grown over the years as members have helped stock the shelves. A true symbol of the organization, the manga library is one of the first sights a new member sees as they walk into the organization’s office.
Experience fun and creative crafts and activities throughout the weekend in the Makerspace, presented by the MAGFest Makerspace Team! Come join in for crafts and fun. There are machines and supplies that you can pick up and play with or ask the team staffed by teachers and volunteers for a tutorial. Come in and make your own projects that you can take home with you!
With a blend of cosplay, games, music, performances, and hospitality, the Setsucon Maid Cafe, presented by Pixel Pop, is an event that is sure to be something special – and is a highlight for many each year! Sign-up at con at the Maid Cafe to book your time; each first-come, first-serve spot includes a 1-hour seating time, dessert, refreshments, games, performances, and more.
Check out a showcase of itasha and anime-inspired cars in the Itasha Car Show, presented by Isekai’d Dreams. See cars decked out in anime gear, replicas of famous anime vehicles, or just awesome modded up rides.
Take home some new art for your wall, a new figures, a manga, and more in our Exhibitors Hall – the main shopping hub of the convention! With over 80 vendors and artists, there is something for everyone to find amongst our many exhibitors. Come ready to shop!
