Why do I need a ticket? 

There’s a whole lot of furries, and not a whole lot of space! In order for us to continue to host the Fursuit Photo and Parade, a cap in attendance was required for the safety of both our staff, and the attendees who partake.

Can I bring a friend if I get a ticket?

Unfortunately all participants must have a ticket for entry. No exceptions can be made, except for those who require a helper for accessibility needs.

Who received tickets?

Upon registering, you were given a box to check to participate in the parade. After a set capped number, those who selected interested were added to the waiting list.

Is the Fursuit Parade attendance capped?

No! Those who are not participating in the photo but want to participate in the parade will be directed to wait in the Commonwealth Ballroom, next to the Grand Ballroom where the Fursuit Photo is being taken. When the parade begins, those in the Grand Ballroom will enter the parade first, followed by those in the Commonwealth Ballroom. Photographers will be stationed along the parade route, this way everyone still gets their chance to shine!

Date: Friday, January 16, 2026

• 12:00 PM: Line up for the Fursuit Photo & Parade starts in the Grand Ballroom. Please arrive as early as possible, and make sure to bring your ticket! We can’t accept late arrivals.
• 1:00 PM: Doors close. If you arrive after the doors close and want to participate in the Fursuit Parade, ANE staff will ask you to wait in the Commonwealth Ballroom.
• 1:05 PM: The Fursuit Photo is taken.
  1:10 PM: The Fursuit Parade starts.
• 3:00 PM: All attendees must exit the Grand Ballroom by 3:00 PM so we can set up for the next event. 

Location: Grand Ballroom
Doors open: 12:00 PM
Doors close: 1:00 PM
Photo is taken: 1:05 PM

The Fursuit Photo is a huge group photo of the many animals at ANE! We welcome attendees who are wearing a fursuit, animal costume, or animal cosplay to participate in the Fursuit Photo.

Please arrive as early as possible, and make sure to bring your ticket (see above)! If you arrive after doors close, unfortunately, you will not be allowed to enter.

If you’re only interested in the Fursuit Parade, ANE staff will ask you to wait outside the Grand Ballroom, and will direct you into the Fursuit Parade when it starts.

Location: starts in the Grand Ballroom and proceeds outside
Start: 1:10 PM
End: 3:00 PM

The Fursuit Parade is an opportunity for you to show off your fursuiting antics for all of ANE to see!

The Fursuit Parade route starts in the Grand Ballroom, exits the hotel, proceeds around the block, re-enters the hotel via the main entrance and returns to the Grand Ballroom. The route is approximately 1/2 mile long. Once you exit the Grand Ballroom, we estimate that it will take you ~20 minutes to complete the Parade. Please see the map for details.

There will be ANE staff positioned along the route wearing high-visibility vests. If you need any assistance during the Parade, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of them.

Parade Rules

1. Drink water before participating in the Parade! There will be water stations in the Grand Ballroom and Commonwealth Ballroom.
2. Follow instructions from ANE staff. There will be ANE staff positioned along the route to ensure your safety. Please follow their instructions!
3. Avoid stopping. If you need to stop for any reason, please move to the side so the Parade can continue moving.
4. No running. We don’t want you to trip or fall or run into someone. Please walk at a leisurely pace to ensure the Parade moves smoothly.
5. Pick up floor draggers (fursuit tails that drag on the floor) when walking in the Parade.
6. No flagpoles. They pose a safety hazard and may obstruct other fursuiters or damage hotel property. Flags worn as capes or held in your hands are fine as long as they don’t drag on the floor.
7. Stay on the route. You are welcome to explore Boston on your own at a later time, but you must follow the route when participating in the Parade.

Unlike many other fursuit parades, the majority of the ANE Fursuit Parade is outdoors! That means there are additional safety considerations that you should keep in mind.

The route follows the sidewalk around the hotel. There will be dirt, leaves, water, and other hazards. We will attempt to remove any hazards before the Parade starts, but we cannot guarantee that the path will be completely clear.

The route crosses one street (as marked on the map). It’s a low-traffic street that is only used to access the parking garage and loading dock, but there will still be traffic. ANE staff will help you cross safely. Please follow their directions!

If you’re not participating in the Fursuit Parade, we invite you to spectate at any point along the route! Please do not block doorways and hallways and follow instructions from ANE staff.

If you are spectating outdoors, please stand on the inside of the sidewalk (the side closer to the hotel) so there is enough space for fursuiters and other pedestrians to pass. Please do not stand on the road.

We’re committed to making the Fursuit Photo & Parade as accessible and enjoyable as possible for every attendee!

Fursuit Photo

• There is a reserved section near the front of the Fursuit Photo for attendees who use assistive mobility devices, including canes, crutches, and wheelchairs.
• There are chairs at the front of the room for attendees who cannot stand for extended periods of time.

Fursuit Parade

• The route goes outdoors and is very slightly uphill for the entire outdoors section.
• The end of the route involves the use of an escalator to descend from the Lobby Level to the Grand Ballroom. There is also an elevator available.

If you have any questions about accommodations for the Fursuit Photo & Parade, please email [email protected]. We’re happy to assist in any way we can!

We’ll monitor the weather on Friday morning. If the conditions are unsuitable, both the Photo and the Parade will be cancelled due to crowd management limitations. Unfortunately, we don’t have the ability to delay, reroute, or reschedule.

If we have to cancel, the decision will be announced by Friday at 11:00 AM on all of our social media platforms.