MAGFest is a video and computer gaming festival run by fans, for fans. It's similar to most fan-based (anime, scifi, etc) conventions, but aims to be more of a laid-back video game party atmosphere. No crowded show floors here, but rather lots of fan art, film and music, and room to relax. Our special guests fit right in and socialize with the rest of the crowd. Game movies and cartoons are shown weekend-long. In addition to our 10 000 square foot game room, lots of attendees set up games in their rooms and invite others inside.

Perhaps most importantly, MAGFest has a huge focus on game music -- multiple concerts worth -- filled with video game music tributes, some even with the original composers! On Friday and Saturday nights multiple bands perform on our main stage, and our 'JamSpace' is open 24 hours for collaborative music and special treats alike.

When is it?

MAGFest is scheduled for January 1^st - 4^th, Thursday through Sunday, the first weekend of the year. We'll start doing setup, handling early registrations / general questions, and at least have something to do starting early afternoon Thursday for anyone arriving early. This is also a great time to wander around and get to know the hotel, guests and other people attending MAGFest. We're also planning something special for people that show up New Year's Eve. More on that soon.

We're sorry if it doesn't fit your schedule, but we've received an influx of positive responses about our dates. If you want to go, we can make one recommendation, ask for time off now -- or as soon as you're sure you're attending -- and remind your boss/professor/parents a few times before the actual dates. You'll regret it later if you don't.

What about previous ones?

MAGFest VI was held 3-6 Jan 2008 at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, VA, and we broke the 1000 mark. At last, all of MAGFest could be on one floor! By far it was the most well-organised MAGFest to date.

MAGFest M5 was held 4-7 Jan 2007 with nearly 1000 attendance. This time it was held at the Sheraton Premiere in Vienna, VA. This year's big landmark was "we had enough staff".

MAGFest M4 was held 13-15 Jan 2006, and we're pleased to say the convention basically sustains itself now (though not us). We grew to 150% yet again, and definitely pushed the limits of the Doubletree Hilton in Charlottesville, VA. Despite our fairly constant issues with not having enough staffers, this was our most organized year yet, and we think it shows.

MAGFest M3 was held 1-3 Oct 2004, and among other things, the festival (though not its owners, or vice versa depending on how you look at it) is finally out of debt. We still don't know how many people came but we're guessing we topped 500.

MAGFest 2.0 was held Halloween weekend (31 Oct - 2 Nov 2003) and was a fantastic social success. The con grew to about 150% its previous size, and everyone left with a smile on their face. MAGFest was even almost out of debt.

The first MAGFest was held the 27-29th of September 2002, at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood in Roanoke, VA. The attendance was over 250.