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DATE OF LAST UPDATE: May 23, 2024
On this page you’ll find the dates, locations, and links to conventions and shows that include miniature contests. If you’re new to miniature competitions, check out this page for more information about judging formats and entry guidelines.
I’d love to add more, so if you know one I missed, send information to wren@birdwithabrush.com. Big or small, I want them all!
The events are divided into two lists – conventions and shows. Conventions are wider scope events that include gaming and other geeky type activities. At shows, the primary activity is the viewing, display, and judging of the miniatures.
List of Conventions with Miniature Contests
Events are ordered from January to December. If the date of the next occurrence of a convention was not available at the time I most recently updated the list, I have included the usual time of year the event has occurred in the past.
Conventions are constantly in flux. Dates may change, websites may move, and events may be added or removed. Volunteer organizers are busy and may not update webpages promptly. Wherever possible I have included links to Facebook groups or other additional points of contact. If the webpage link doesn’t give you the information you need, try one of the other contact links and ask someone there for help finding more information.
Las Vegas Open, Las Vegas, NV: January 16-19, 2025
Specific event and contest information had not been posted at the time this page was last updated. If you have questions, contact the Frontline Gaming Community.
TantrumCon, Charlotte, North Carolina: February? 2025
Paint a mini onsite at the Paint & Take booth and enter in the contest. Beginner friendly!
Tantrum House Facebook page.
Polar Vortex, Lisle, Illinois: February 14-16, 2025
Polar Vortex Games hosts this event, and also posts updates about it on the Polar Vortex Game Convention Facebook page. You can review the competition rules from the 2024 contest.
Hammerhead Open Gaming Show, Neward United Kingdom: March 1, 2025
Rules for the painting contest, which is hosted by Wargames Illustrated.
Hammerhead Show forums.
AdeptiCon, Milwaukee, WI: March 26-30, 2025 – new location
Several manufacturers host painting competitions at AdeptiCon, and I may not have found information about all of them to list here. Keep an eye on the AdeptiCon News page and the AdeptiCon Facebook page for contest-related announcements.
AdeptiCon also offers a huge slate of hobby seminars, with opportunities to study with legendary painters and sculptors. Look for the Hobby Seminars link under the INFO drop down menu on the main page. Many class tickets and hotel rooms sell out quickly after notifications go out on the AdeptiCon News page and the AdeptiCon Facebook page.
Table space for open painting is provided near the hobby class area, but you will need to bring your own supplies.
The US Golden Demon competition by Games Workshop
The official Golden Demon page has not updated their photo galleries in some years, but that link does seem to provide up-to-date information on upcoming Golden Demon events. You can view the categories for 2024. The Warhammer Community page may be updated more frequently.
The Resin Beast by Creature Caster and Para Bellum Wargames
The Resin Beast offers generous cash prizes. The website link takes you to galleries and rules information.
The Formula P3 Grandmaster Painting Competition by Privateer Press
The Grandmaster had previously been held at Gen Con and Lock & Load. In 2022 the Grandmaster moved to AdeptiCon, and was also held there in 2023 and 2024. Keep an eye on the P3 News page for contest news for 2025.
Brush with Death by Mantic Games
Keep an eye on the Mantic Death News page for information. These were the rules for the 2023 Brush with Death. I am not sure if they held a contest in 2024.
Salute, London, UK: April 12, 2025
The Salute wargaming convention includes a painting competition among its many events. The contest rules are available.
Rocky Top Game Con, Knoxville, TN: May 24-26, 2024
General information on the Painting & Model Competition is at the bottom of this page. Rules and other details are also available. Join their Facebook group to stay up-to-date on events.
KublaCon, San Francisco, CA: May 24-27, 2024
The KublaCon Painting Events page provides information on the many fun hobby events at KublaCon. These include the KublaBrush Painting Contest, and a strong lineup of hobby classes. You can also follow the KublaBrush Facebook page for more news.
Origins Game Fair, Columbus, OH: June 19-23, 2024
I do not have recent information about miniature events at Origins, and cannot confirm whether they are holding any sort of painting contest this year. They will have a Paint N Take area.
Historicon, Lancaster, PA: July 17-21, 2024
Check the Events drop-down menu for information on the painting contest. The Hobby University also hosts classes on miniature painting, terrain, etc. Updated information related to the contest and hobby classes is posted as soon as it is available on the HMGS Hobby University Facebook page. The HMGS hosts two other yearly miniature-focused conventions, Fall In! and Cold Wars. These include hobby classes but do not feature a painting contest. You can find links to all three of their conventions on the HMGS page.
Gen Con, Indianapolis, IN: August 1-4, 2024
The latest information on the Gen Con Miniature Painting Competition is usually found on the Gen Con MHE Painting Competition Facebook page. Rules for the overall 2024 contest and special awards are available.
There is usually a speed painting competition at Gen Con. Participants buy tickets to qualifying rounds through the event system from the main Gen Con Indy page. Look in the MHE events section of the events catalog. Tickets for speed paint events sell out quickly. No-shows are pretty common, so you can try showing up to a session to see if there is room for you to join with generic tickets.
Gen Con offers a variety of hobby classes. Look for these in the MHE events section. A free paint & take is available. Look for the MHE headquarters on the map to find it.
Bring Out Your Lead (BOYL), Newark, UK – August 2-4, 2024
This celebration of classic miniatures and wargaming includes a paint contest.
NOVA Open, Arlington VA: August 28 to September 1, 2024
The NOVA Open convention hosts the Capital Palette Miniature Art Competition. The rules are available. You can also check out prior entries and discussion on the Capital Palette Facebook page.
Miniature enthusiasts will find table space and supplies for painting freely available in the Hobby Haven area, or you can purchase tickets to a painting class. Charity fund-raising sessions of hosted paint-and-take and speed painting competitions are also available. Look for more information and links to purchase event tickets on the events page.
ReaperCon, Dallas TX: August 31 to September 2, 2024
The MSP Open is open to entries by any manufacturer. There are several special awards and manufacturer awards from a variety of companies in addition to Reaper Miniatures. Click the About the MSP Open option in the Painting Contest drop-down menu on the main page for the contest rules and more information on special awards.
ReaperCon also features a large number of painting and sculpting classes on a variety of topics. You can see a schedule of hobby class events. You must purchase entry to the convention before you can purchase event tickets. Some classes sell out quickly, so you may also want to sign up to the ReaperCon Facebook page to be notified of when tickets go on sale.
Other hobby events at ReaperCon include speed painting sessions and paint and take. Space for open painting is available, but you will need to bring your own supplies.
Dragon Con, Atlanta GA: August 29 to September 2, 2024
Hobby related activities at Dragon Con include a paint and take, workshops, and a contest. Keep an eye on the Dragon Con Paint & Take Facebook page for updates on these events. Rules and other information for the 2023 painting competition are available and include categories for miniatures painted at the Paint & Take during the convention.
Dragon Fall Charity Gaming Festival, Lake Geneva, WI: October 4-6, 2024
Hobby related activities include classes and the Dragon Slayer Miniature Painting Competition. Rules information is available. Proceeds from events are donated to charities.
The Michigan GT Wargaming Hobby Convention, Lansing, MI: October 6-8, 2024
The convention hobby events include the Michigan GT Paint Cup contest, a paint and take, and classes. Follow the Michigan GT Facebook page for news updates.
Warfaire Weekend, St. Louis, MO: November 1-3, 2024
The painting competition rules and other contest information is available on the painting contest page.
Hobby classes were listed as coming soon when this page was last updated.
One part of one room at World Expo 2017 in Chicago.
List of Figure Shows
The primary activity at a figure show is the display, viewing, and judging of miniature figures. Other activities include a vendor room and socializing with fellow figure fans. Often there are one or more lecture style seminars or panel discussions where prominent artists discuss aspects of painting and/or sculpting. A show may be preceded by a one to three day intensive workshop.
There is a strong focus on historical figures and models at some of these shows, but almost all of them also have categories for fantasy/SF/horror themed entries. At some shows, these categories are quite prominent, including Monte San Savino and World Model Expo.
Shows are often hosted by groups that also hold regular monthly meetings. If you live near one of these events, I recommend looking into the club membership as well as checking out the show.
If you know of a figure show that isn’t listed here, please contact me at wren@birdwithabrush.com and let me know! Big or small, I want them all!
Atlanta Military Figure Society Show, Atlanta, GA: mid-February? 2025
The AMFS Show is usually scheduled for the third weekend in February. Check the drop down menus at the top of the main page for more information on the show. Show information is also shared on the Atlanta Military Figure Society Facebook page.
Monson Show, Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary: April 26-27, 2025
Look for the Competition drop down menu on the main page for a variety of information about the contest. The rules are available here.
Miniature Figure Collectors of America Show, Trevose PA: early May?, 2025
Information on the events scheduling, guidelines for competition and judging, and a list of the special awards should be posted on the Exhibition page as it becomes available. Check the MFCA Annual Show drop down menu on the main page for additional information.
Verbano Model Show Italy: Stresa, Italy: May ?, 2025
In addition to the information available on the main page, you may also want to follow the Verabano Model Show Italy Facebook page for updates. (The 2024 date is correct. While previously scheduled for a 2023 date, they’ve pushed out to 2024.)
Kontrast, Warsaw, Poland: May 31 – June 2, 2024
Check the Kontrast Facebook page for updates and photos.
WonderFest, Louisville, KY: June 1-2, 2024
WonderFest is a celebration of the overall scale modeling hobby. While the focus is on larger kits/garage kits, and busts, gaming figures are welcome. The overall contest is judged in the open format, and there are additional sponsored awards. Contest rules and information are available. You can also check the WonderFest USA Facebook page for news updatges.
Historical Miniatures Society of Northeastern Oklahoma, Tulsa, OK: June 8, 2024
This page provides an overview of the schedule and activities. Information about the current show and its sponsoring organization seems to be provided only via their the HMSNEO Facebook page, which also includes photos and award announcements. The information provided on the main webpage can give you an idea of the activities, judging criteria, and special awards from previous shows.
Fen Model Show, Ely, UK: July 27-28, 2024
You can also see photos and updates at the Fen Model Show Facebook page.
World Model Expo, Versailles, France: July 4-5, 2025
The World Model Expo is like the Olympics of figure shows. It only occurs every three years, and each Expo is hosted by a different model club in a different part of the world. It’s a huge and amazing show, but because of the rotating location there is a unique website for each show, and there does not appear to be a master webpage to reference.
The previous event in Eindhoven was originally scheduled for 2020. It did not take place until 2022. This video gives you an idea of the enormous scale of the event that took place in Eindhoven.
Kulmbach, Kulmbach, Germany: August 9-11, 2024
You will find links to a Facebook group, forum, and other contact information at the bottom of the page. Zinnfiguren is the German word for tin flats. Flats are bas relief sculptures intended for painting, kind of like a somewhat flattened miniature figure. You can read more about zinnfiguren (English site). I believe this event is similar to a show, but exhibited entries must be flats.
Euroma, Rome Italy: September 7-8, 2024
There is also a Euroma 2024 Facebook discussion group.
National Capital Model Soldier Society Annual Show, Springfield, VA: September 7, 2024
You will find a link to complete contest category and rules information, as well as an entry form, from the main NCMSS page. The show poster mentions that the event includes a professional photographer, modeling demonstrations, and GUNDAM build tables.
Military Miniature Society of Illinois, Chicago, IL: October 18-20, 2024
General information about the show is available on this page. The list of past award winners gives you an idea of the special awards that are available.
Monte San Savino Miniature Show, Monte San Savino, Italy: November 15-17, 2024
At the time I last updated this page, the Monte San Savino show pages did not yet have detailed information about the 2024, but keep checking the main page for information on the schedule, fees, special workshops, awards, and contest entry guidelines. You can also follow the Facebook group to be notified as more information becomes available.
Euro Miniature Expo (Euro Militaire), Folkstone, United Kingdom: Defunct?
In the last posted update for this event, the current organizer retired. He is open to someone taking over the reins and reviving the event.
The Long Island Miniatures Model Show, Freeport, New York: November 15-16, 2024
The Long Island Miniature Collectors Society may also post information on their Facebook group.
International Plastic Modeller’s Society shows: Various places and dates
The International Plastic Modeller’s Society holds regularly occuring shows, which include categories for fantasy, sci fi, and historical figures, and which are open to figures in other materials than plastic. The Wikipedia page for the IPMS links to the websites for the branches of various countries. The site for the United States branch has a map of information for upcoming US events.
The chapters are not located only in the most populous states or biggest cities, so if you can’t easily travel to one of the other events I listed on this page, check and see if the IPMS offers one closer to home.
If you know of other contests or shows than these, please let me know at wren@birdwithabrush.com so I can update this page and encourage others to attend!
Bird with a Brush 