Boise Comic Arts Festival
Boise Comic Arts Festival returns for its 14th year September 5 & 6, 2026. It will include all the features you know and love including a two-day Artist's Alley, cosplay, panels, performances, and workshops at Boise Centre.
BCAF XIV Location & Hours:
Saturday, September 5 | 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Boise Centre
Sunday, September 6 | 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Boise Centre
Free to Attend | No Registration Required
Event Info
This year we will be hosting a two-day Artists’ Alley on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6. The application for table space in Artists’ Alley is now closed.
For those who missed the application deadline, we have opened a waitlist. If and when space becomes available, we’ll offer it to those on the waitlist. To be added to the waitlist, fill out the Waitlist Application.
Please send questions aabout exhibiting at BCAF XIV to boisecomicartsfestival@cityofboise.org.
BCAF only accepts payments through SmartPAY. If you receive suspicious requests for payment related to BCAF, please email boisecomicartsfestival@cityofboise.org to confirm legitimacy prior to transmitting payment.
The Original Comic Creation Contest is a chance for kids to show off their comic crafting skills by creating a single page of comics to express an idea, set a scene or mood, introduce a character, or tell a story. The contest is open to ages 4-14 and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded in two categories: Younger Kids (4-9) and Older Kids (9-14).
Contest submissions accompanied by a completed entry form can be turned in at any Boise Public Library location. Entry forms are available at all Library locations or can be downloaded and printed. The contest ends July 31.
The Cosplay Contests are your chance to show off your costume making skills and creativity. Your costume could win you fame, glory and of course - prizes. We'll have live Cosplay Contests for kids, teens, adults!
Cosplay contests will take place at Boise Centre’s Junior Ballroom (Room 130) on Saturday, September 5. The contests will take place at the following times:
- 11:30 a.m. - Youth Cosplay Contest
- 12:30 p.m. – Cosplay Parade
- 1:30 p.m. - Teen Cosplay Contest
- 3:30 p.m. - Adult Cosplay Contest
Registration is now open for the cosplay contests and closes on September 4. Participants can also register onsite on Saturday, September 5.
Read the full cosplay contest rules, And learn more by visiting the Cosplay Contest FAQs.
This year’s BCAF poster was created by Boise artist Julius Bridgeforth. Bridgeforth has designed album artwork, Treefort windows, and has several short comics forthcoming later this year.
2024 saw the launch of Boise Comic Arts Festival Presents…an exciting new limited edition annual publication produced by Boise Public Library in partnership with local Idaho cartoonist Vannotes. Last year's creator was Alieha Dryden, with the original comic Marion and the Goathead.
For this year’s edition of Boise Comic Arts Festival Presents… we’re doing an open call for creators to submit a pitch for the 8-page comic and cover. The selected creator or creative team will be paid a page rate for their work at a rate of $125.00 per page, including the cover. They will also be given a table at BCAF XIV and provided with copies of the completed publication.
The call for pitches is open now and closes on April 13.
For more information, and to submit a proposal, visit the submission page.
Emerging Artist Mentorship (formerly the Teen Comics Mentorship program) was created to support and inspire teens interested in pursuing a career in comic arts or related fields. The program provides information, training, and opportunities to aspiring creators and will culminate with the mentees tabling at the Boise Comic Arts Festival.
Applications to participate in the BCAF XIV Emerging Artist Mentorship are now closed.
For more information, visit the Emerging Artist Mentorship FAQ
Love BCAF? Be part of the action by volunteering! This year there are multiple days and times to help, including after-hours options. All volunteers will get a BCAF XIV shirt!
Volunteers must be a minimum of 14 years old on the first day of BCAF. Volunteers of minor age must have a legal parent or guardian over 18 sign their Volunteer Waiver.
The deadline to respond is August 1, 2026. To sign-up for volunteering, fill out the BCAF XIV Volunteer Sign-Up.
If you have any questions, please contact us at boisecomicartsfestival@cityofboise.org.
For more information, see our BCAF FAQ or email boisecomicartsfestival@cityofboise.org.
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