Share your creation!
The Costume Competition is one of the highlights of Fantasy Forest set in the magnificent gardens of Hatfield House!
This is an opportunity to show off your creation to maximum effect in front of our judges and a full crowd, with your choice of music and performance. Whether a seasoned seamster, or budding beginner, everybody is welcome to bring their fantastical creations to the stage.
The Competition is guaranteed fun for both those who participate and those who watch! And to top it all off, we will be handing out some fantastic prizes to a lucky few who have really excelled!
All about entering
The Costume Competition is open to all visitors who have purchased a ticket (or won one). You may have made costumes for years, or this may be your first attempt. It does not matter if it is handmade or store bought. All types of costume are welcome!
The Competition is pre-registration only entry. However, you can always enter the ‘Costume Showcase’, a smaller costume event for people to showcase their costumes in a more relaxed setting. This has no sign-up requirements and is open to everyone! Go to Costume Showcase
More than just a Costume
You will have just under 2 minutes on stage to show off your costume as you like. This may just be strutting your stuff with some background music, or with our MCs setting the scene, telling the audience a little about your character. Alternatively, you may like to do a full skit or performance. The sky’s the limit and we love to see people get creative and bring their costumes to life, so if you have an idea, let’s make it happen!
Entrants may submit their own choice of music/soundtrack or choose to have some generic fantasy music playing in the background.
After signing up
Within 72 hours you will receive a confirmation email to let you know that your entry has been received and instructions for what you need to do next. This will include guides on how to prepare, judging criteria, and full details if you wish to provide music, costume details for the judges, and/or portfolios. These are not mandatory!
On the day
You will be emailed a timetable and full instructions for the day a few weeks before the event.
The whole competition process will take around 2 hours 30 minutes from start to finish during which you will need to remain in the area. Once you sign in, you will start with a short prejudging session where the judges can view your costume up close and ask a few questions. After this, the Competition itself begins and each entrant will have their time on stage. When all entrants have performed, there will be a short entertainment interval before the Judges take to the stage to announce the winners.
Whilst this might sound like a lot, you can do as much or as little as you are comfortable with. There is no obligation to do a large performance, submit supporting notes, or anything besides turning up to have some fun!
Can I have someone backstage with me?
Yes. However, the backstage area is not large, so please only bring someone if you need them and try to keep it to one person.
Should I enter Original Concept or Cosplay?
The answer is usually, whatever you prefer. There is a grey area between the two, what with characters from folklore/mythology, new takes on existing characters, and literary characters with no description. If we feel it is not correct, we will email you to discuss it – we want you to have the best chance to be placed in the category.
Can children enter?
Absolutely! Children will need an adult to complete their entry for/with them, respond to emails, and accompany them backstage at the event in line with the festival rules.
Can I enter as a pair or group?
Yes. Simply choose one of you to submit a single entry. This person will handle all the correspondence for the group. If you are a pair, you are welcome to CC in your partner to replies, however any generic emails (such as reminders, updates, and information) will only go to the original email only and need to be forwarded to other group members.
Please note that prizes won as a group will only be as stated on the Categories and Prizes page. You will not receive extras if your entry contains multiple people.
Can I enter with my pet?
We welcome well-mannered animals in the Costume Competition, providing they are under control and are neither disruptive nor distressed. If they do become so, we will have to ask you to leave the area. You will be expected to remove any of their ‘deposits’ thoroughly and promptly, and male dog owners are asked to be mindful about where they might cock a leg.
Will there be prejudging?
There is a short prejudging session lasting a little over a minute per entrant, to give our judges a chance to see your costume up close and maybe ask a few questions.
Do I have to provide music/costume notes/a portfolio?
These are not mandatory, though may carry weight in certain categories such as performance or craftsmanship.
Any questions regarding the competition can be emailed to rafaela@fantasyforest.co.uk
Best Original Concept
As cosplay is based on an existing character, we feel it’s only fair to give those who have come up with an entirely original piece a chance to have their innovation, creativeness, and imagination rewarded.
Winners of this Category will receive 2 Weekend Plus tickets to next year’s edition of Fantasy Forest Libertalia and £50 cash.
Best Cosplay
A costume based on an already existing character. Show us your attention to detail and understanding of the character you are portraying. In order to be eligible for this category, you must provide a clear picture of the original character with your entry form.
Winners of this Category will receive 2 Weekend Plus tickets to next year’s edition of Fantasy Forest Libertalia and £50 cash.
Best Performance
A category for everyone regardless of what your costume is! We want you to show us your piece, demonstrate your character, and wow us with your own finesse and flair.
Winners of this Category will receive 2 Weekend Plus tickets to next year’s edition of Fantasy Forest Libertalia and £50 cash.
Best Craftsmanship
Eligible to those who have created their own costume from scratch. This category is for those who have shown us their talent by putting time, effort, and skill into their costume, attending to every detail, and showing this in the finished article. Those who make costumes/attire professionally (for profit or reward) will not be considered in this category.
Winners of this Category will receive 2 Weekend Plus tickets to next year’s edition of Fantasy Forest Libertalia and £50 cash.
Overall day winner
This award will go to someone who has gone above and beyond, truly dazzled us, and scored constantly highly throughout the categories.
Winners of this Category will receive 2 Weekend Plus tickets to next year’s edition of Fantasy Forest Libertalia, £150 cash, and a trophy.
Judges’ Choice
This is a slightly different category with no specific criteria to meet. It will be awarded to someone who has impressed the judges in some way. Maybe not for the most intricately made costume, or the flashiest performance, but something that has stood out and marked it as something special.
Winners of this Category will receive 2 Weekend Plus tickets to next year’s edition of Fantasy Forest Libertalia.
TBA
All contestants are automatically competing in all eligible categories. Please note that the Original Concept and Cosplay categories are mutually exclusive, so you will be marked across 3 categories in total.
If you are cosplaying a character and you want to be eligible for the cosplay category, then you must submit an image of the original character you are cosplaying with your entry.
You may not enter to ‘reserve a spot’. You must have details for your costume/character at point of entry. This does not mean you have to have finished making your costume at time of entry.
Performances must be limited to a maximum of 1 minute 50 seconds after your mandatory MC introduction. You may be disqualified from the performance category if you run over on time and require to be removed by the MC.
Music, pre-made tracks, and/or microphone may be used during your performance. Any music you wish played must be submitted in an mp3 format by email once your entry is accepted. We are unable to accept YouTube links or other formats.
All entries must be modelled by a human, although this does not have to be the original creator. Things like mannequins, inanimate objects, and animals may not be entered, however they may be used to supplement your creation.
We welcome well-mannered animals in the Costume Competition, providing they are under control and are neither disruptive nor distressed. If they do become so, you will be asked to leave. You will be expected to remove any of their ‘deposits’ thoroughly and promptly, and male dog owners are asked to be mindful about where they might cock a leg.
You are allowed to enter the Competition on both days but may not enter the same costume on both days.
You may not enter a costume that you entered in the previous year’s edition of Fantasy Forest.
You may not enter the same costume at both Fantasy Forest Sudeley and Fantasy Forest Libertalia.
You may not enter a costume that was placed and won a prize during any previous edition of Fantasy Forest.
You may not make multiple entries (including as part of a group) on a single day.
Self or business promotion is not allowed within your performance or introduction. Cosplay handles may only be given in addition to your name within your MC introduction.
Throwing of props is not allowed. Neither are items that create a “mess” or “spill” risk, pyrotechnics, or explosives. This includes glitter and bubbles. Costume weapons must meet event weapons policy guidelines.
No swearing, nudity, flashing, extreme political or religious statements or other inappropriate behaviour will be tolerated.
Only paying visitors may enter the competition (this includes ticket winners). Traders and Entertainers may not enter the Costume Competition.
Professional clothing/costume makers are welcome to enter but will not be eligible for the craftsmanship category. This will affect chances at overall winner as that is an amalgamation of points from across the main categories.
If you are unable to attend the competition for any reason, you must let the organisers know.
By entering the competition, you agree to be filmed and photographed during the event, all rights of which belong to the event organizers.
All decisions made by Fantasy Forest and our judges are final.
Fantasy Forest or Hatfield House reserve the right to decline entries or stop a performance at any time for any reason.
Fantasy Forest or Hatfield House reserve the right to change or revise these rules at any time.
Any breach of the rules may result in being removed from this, and any future competitions, and any prizes being rescinded.
Any questions regarding the competition can be emailed to rafaela@fantasyforest.co.uk
Once you have submitted an entry, you will receive an email within 72 hours confirming whether your entry has been accepted and asking for further details on your costume. If you cannot find this, do check your spam folder.
Places are limited and when these are filled, we will be operating a reserve list. Pre-registrations will close 18th August 2026, or when entries and reserve lists are full (whichever comes first).
Any questions regarding the competition can be emailed to rafaela@fantasyforest.co.uk