WishCon 2025 Events

Welcome to Timaru's first WishCon! Whether you're curious about tabletop gaming, love anime and pop culture, or just want to try something new, we've got activities for everyone. No experience necessary – just bring your enthusiasm!

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Blood on the Clocktower

⏰ Session A: 12:30pm–2:30pm
⏰ Session B: 2:45pm–4:45pm
πŸ’° $5 per session
🌟 Perfect for Newcomers

Think Werewolf or Mafia, but way more exciting! This isn't your typical party game – it's a thrilling mystery where players have secret roles in a demon-haunted town. Some are good, others are working against you, and everyone's trying to figure out who's who.

What makes it special? Even if you're "eliminated," you keep playing and helping solve the mystery! Our award-winning Game Master Brad Thompson guides the story with plot twists that'll keep you guessing until the very end.

Great for: Anyone who enjoys puzzles, social games, or just loves a good mystery. No acting skills required – just use your detective instincts!

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Beyblade Battles

⏰ Open Play: 9:30am–11:45am
πŸ’° Free
πŸ† Tournament: 12:00pm–5:00pm
🌟 All Ages Welcome

Remember spinning tops? Beyblade takes that childhood fun and cranks it up to 11! These aren't just toys – they're precision-engineered battle tops with customizable parts for different strategies.

Start with our free open session to learn the basics and try different Beyblades (we'll provide them). Then join our official tournament to compete for prizes and see how your skills stack up!

Great for: Kids, adults, and anyone who enjoys tactical games with a bit of physics. Perfect mix of strategy and exciting battles!

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Dungeons & Dragons Adventures

⏰ Multiple sessions all day
πŸ’° $5 per session
🎲 Everything provided
🌟 Never Played? No Problem!

Always wondered what D&D is about? These are perfect bite-sized adventures designed to show you the magic of collaborative storytelling! No complicated backstories or years of commitment – just jump in and start your heroic journey.

Our experienced Game Masters will guide you through exciting, self-contained stories. Will you explore ancient ruins? Negotiate with a dragon? Save a village? The story unfolds based on your choices!

We provide: Character sheets, dice, and all the guidance you need. Just bring your imagination and sense of adventure!

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Board Game Library

⏰ All day access
πŸ’° Included with entry
🎯 Games for all skill levels
🌟 Something for Everyone

Forget about Monopoly and Scrabble – modern board games are incredible! Our massive library ranges from quick 10-minute party games that'll have you laughing, to deep strategy games that'll challenge your mind.

Never sure what to play? Our friendly volunteers are game experts who can recommend the perfect match for your group size, time, and interests. Want something cooperative? Competitive? Silly? Strategic? We've got you covered!

Perfect for: Families, couples, friend groups, or solo players looking to join others. There's truly something for every taste and experience level.

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Play-to-Win Games

⏰ All day
πŸ’° Included with entry
🎁 Winners announced 4:45pm

Love the idea of winning a brand-new board game? Look for special "Play to Win" markers on select games in our library. Simply play one during the day, enter your name in the draw, and you could go home with that exact game!

It's that simple – play, enter, and maybe win. What better way to discover your new favorite game?

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PokΓ©mon TCG - Learn to Play

⏰ 10:00am–11:00am
πŸ’° Free
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ« Hosted by Professor Bunny
🌟 Perfect for First-Timers

Always wondered how the PokΓ©mon card game actually works? This friendly session with official PokΓ©mon Professor Bunny will teach you everything you need to know!

Learn the rules, get insider tips, and try your first battles with provided decks. Whether you collected cards as a kid or are completely new to PokΓ©mon, this is your perfect starting point.

Great for: Anyone curious about card games, PokΓ©mon fans, or parents wanting to understand their kids' hobby!

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PokΓ©mon TCG Tournament

⏰ 11:15am–1:30pm
πŸ’° $5 entry
πŸ† Prizes for winners

Ready to put your skills to the test? Join our official tournament! Whether you're a seasoned trainer or just finished the Learn to Play session, this is your chance to battle for prizes and bragging rights.

Professor Bunny ensures a fun, fair environment for trainers of all levels. Bring your own deck or ask about borrowing one!

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Cosplay & Dress-Up Parade

⏰ All day - Judging at 3:00pm
πŸ’° Free to enter
🎭 All experience levels welcome
🌟 Casual & Welcoming

Love dressing up? Come as your favorite character from anywhere – movies, TV shows, anime, video games, comics, or books! This isn't about perfect professional costumes; it's about celebrating the characters we love.

Threw on a Hogwarts robe? Awesome! Spent months on elaborate armor? Also awesome! Our contest celebrates creativity and fun at every level, with prizes for various categories.

No registration needed – just show up in costume and join the parade at 3pm. Perfect for all ages and families!

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Art & Creativity Competitions

⏰ Submit by 3:30pm
πŸ’° Free to enter
πŸ† Multiple categories
🌟 All Ages & Skill Levels

Two fun ways to show your creativity:

Coloring Contest: Perfect for all ages! Color in our WishCon crest and adorable blue penguin mascot. Great for families and anyone who finds coloring relaxing.

Pop Culture Art Contest: The sky's the limit! Submit drawings, paintings, digital art, LEGO builds, cosplay props, crafts, or any creative work celebrating your favorite fandoms. No restrictions on age or medium – we want to see your unique take on pop culture!

Categories ensure fair competition across different ages and skill levels. It's about passion and creativity, not perfection!