faq's & general info
Dates, Tickets & Registration
What are the dates for the next ball?
Host Hotel & Venue:
Arawa Park Hotel, Rotorua
Sat 6.30pm - 12.30am
Costumes, Themes, Catering, & Children
Do I have to wear a costume?
YES
Costume is an essential part of The Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade experience.
No Costume • No Admittance • No Exceptions
The Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade is a celebration of imagination, creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. Guests are encouraged to embrace their creativity and bring their characters, worlds, and fantasies to life.
Costumes should reflect the fantasy, historical, steampunk, science fiction, mythical, or imaginative nature of the event. Whether you arrive as royalty, a mythical creature, an explorer, a warrior, a fae being, a goblin, a Victorian adventurer, or a character from a world entirely your own*, your costume should contribute to the immersive atmosphere of the celebration.
As this is a community event, *all costumes must be appropriate for a shared public environment. While creativity and self-expression are encouraged, costumes primarily designed for fetish, lingerie, or erotic presentation or which may cause offensive or discomfort to others, are not considered appropriate for the Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade and may result in entry being declined.
Costumes should be suitable for an evening of community celebration, dancing, photography, and interaction with a diverse community of guests.
If buying tickets for other guests, it is the responsbility of the purchaser to ensure that their guests understand these costuming standards, as outlined on ticket site, on tickets, and our website.
The organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to any guest whose costume is considered inconsistent with the spirit, presentation, or standards of the event.Any decision regarding costume suitability will be made at the discretion of the organisers, and their decision will be final.
Masquerade masks are NOT mandatory.
Photography & Videography
Photography / Videography Disclaimer
Please be advised that photographs and videography will be taken at all the events over this weekend for use by and for the Costumiers New Zealand Charitable Trust website, and in promotional and marketing materials.
By attending our events, craft market or exhibit you consent to Costumiers New Zealand Charitable Trust photographing and potentially using your image and likeness for promotional and marketing purposes.
Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
Creating a Safe, Welcoming and Magical Experience for Everyone
The Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade is a celebration of creativity, imagination, craftsmanship and community. We want every guest to feel welcome, respected and comfortable while sharing in this extraordinary experience.
By attending the event, guests agree to help us maintain an environment where everyone can enjoy the magic.
Respect & Kindness
We ask all guests to treat each other, our performers, volunteers, venue staff, photographers and event organisers with courtesy, patience and respect.
Everyone attending has put time, creativity and passion into being part of this event. Please celebrate each other's work, ask before touching costumes or props, and remember that behind every creation is a person who deserves respect.
Consent & Personal Boundaries
Respect personal space and boundaries at all times.
- Always ask permission before touching another person's costume, props, wings, accessories or personal belongings.
- Ask before taking photographs of guests, particularly when photographing detailed costumes or creations.
- Respect a person's decision if they do not wish to be photographed or approached.
- Harassment, intimidation, unwanted advances or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.
A costume is not consent.
The character someone portrays does not change their right to personal boundaries.
Costume & Presentation
The Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade celebrates creativity in all forms; however, costumes and behaviour must remain appropriate for a shared public environment.
Guests are expected to:
- Wear costumes suitable for an all-ages community event environment.
- Avoid costumes or presentations that are primarily designed to be sexually explicit, offensive or make others uncomfortable.
- Respect the inclusive and elegant spirit of the event.
The organisers reserve the right to refuse entry or request changes where a costume or presentation is considered inconsistent with the values and standards of the event.
Unacceptable Behaviour
The following behaviours are not permitted:
- Harassment, bullying, intimidation or discrimination.
- Threatening, aggressive or abusive behaviour.
- Unwanted physical contact or invasion of personal space.
- Sexual harassment or inappropriate comments.
- Deliberate disruption of the event or activities.
- Damage to venue property, other guests' belongings or event equipment.
- Excessive intoxication or behaviour that impacts the safety or enjoyment of others.
- Any illegal activity.
Looking After Each Other
Our community is built on creativity, friendship and shared experiences. If you see something that concerns you, please speak with a member of the event team. Our staff and volunteers are here to help maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Right to Refuse Entry or Remove Guests
The Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade organisers reserve the right to refuse entry or remove any guest whose behaviour, costume, actions or conduct is considered unsafe, disruptive, inappropriate or inconsistent with the spirit of the event.
Guests who are removed from the event due to a breach of this Code of Conduct will not be entitled to a refund, compensation or reimbursement of tickets, accommodation, travel or any other associated costs.
Serious incidents may also result in the guest being prohibited from attending future Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade events.
Thank You
By attending, you help create the atmosphere that makes this event special.
Bring your imagination. Celebrate creativity.
Make new friends. Respect the magic.
Together, we create a world where everyone can feel welcome.
Colds & Flu's - sharing is not caring
Feeling sick before the event?
We understand how disappointing it would be to become sick just before The Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade, especially after the excitement, planning and preparation that goes into creating your costume and attending the weekend.
However, we kindly ask that if you are experiencing symptoms of a cold, flu, COVID-19, or any contagious illness, you consider the health and wellbeing of our guests, volunteers, performers and venue staff before attending.
While tickets are non-refundable at this stage, we ask that you do not attend the event while unwell and risk passing illness on to others. Many of our guests have travelled significant distances, spent months creating costumes, or may have health considerations that make avoiding illness especially important.
By choosing not to attend when you are sick, you are helping protect the wider Costumiers' community and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the magical experience they have been looking forward to.
Thank you for your understanding, consideration and care for your fellow guests.
Props & Weapons
Weapons & Props Policy
Keeping Our Fantasy Safe
The Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade welcomes incredible costumes, creative builds and imaginative props. We understand that many characters are completed with weapons or accessories; however, our event is a Masquerade Ball weekend, not a combat event or weapons convention.
The safety and comfort of all guests, venue staff and the wider public must always come first.
Please carefully read the following requirements before bringing any weapon or prop to the event.
DO NOT BRING these Items
The following items are not permitted under any circumstances:
- Real firearms or replica firearms sold as such (including pistols, rifles, shotguns or any other firearm type).
- Real metal bladed weapons or replica weapons sold as functional items, including knives, swords, daggers, switchblades or similar.
- Tasers or stun devices.
- Explosives or explosive devices.
- Gun caps or devices designed to create a gunshot effect.
- Flame throwers or fire-based weapons.
- Axes.
- Ninja stars.
- Nunchucks.
- Knuckle dusters.
- Any item that is designed, intended or capable of causing harm.
Do not bring these items. This is a legal requirement, not simply an event preference.
Prop Guns
Fantasy, cosplay and theatrical prop guns may be permitted only if they are completely non-functional.
If your prop gun can still:
- Go "bang bang".
- Fire any type of projectile.
- Launch foam bullets, caps, water, silly string, ping-pong balls, potatoes or anything else.
…it is not permitted in its current form.
Any prop firearm must be:
- Fully decommissioned or made permanently non-functional before arriving at the event.
- Free from all ammunition, caps or projectiles.
- Unable to discharge, fire or launch anything.
- Presented for inspection at registration.
Approved prop firearms must also be peace bonded to ensure they cannot be used or activated during the event.
Prop Bladed Weapons
Decorative swords, daggers and similar fantasy props may be permitted where they are clearly costume accessories and cannot cause injury.
If a prop blade has the potential to:
- Stab.
- Slice.
- Cut.
- Puncture.
- Cause harm to another person.
- …it is not suitable for the event.
All permitted bladed costume props must:
- Be made from safe materials.
- Have no sharp edges or points.
- Remain in a sheath, case or secure covering at all times.
- Be peace bonded where required by our event team.
- A blade that can be drawn and used as a weapon will not be permitted.
Peace Bonding Requirements
Peace bonding means securing a prop weapon to its sheath, holster or costume in a way that prevents it from being drawn, removed or used.
Our registration team will inspect weapons and props on arrival. If your prop requires peace bonding and has not already been secured, our team may assist with this process.
- Props must remain secured for the duration of the event.
- Removing, cutting or tampering with a peace bond may result in:
- The prop being confiscated for the remainder of the evening.
- The guest being refused access to event spaces.
- The guest being asked to leave the event.
Use Common Sense
We love seeing the incredible creativity our guests bring to life. Many iconic characters require props, and we do not want to prevent that creativity.
However, please remember:
If it looks dangerous, can hurt someone, can be mistaken for a real weapon, or creates a safety concern in a crowded ballroom—it does not belong at the event.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, elegant and magical experience for everyone attending The Costumiers' Grand Fantasy Masquerade.