Yellowknife gaming group Ptarmicon is holding their 14th annual gaming and pop culture convention Ptarmicon 2026 this weekend at the Yellowknife Multiplex.
Ptarmicon notes that due to the evacuation centre set up at the Multiplex, some promotional material for the convention says it will be located at the YK Community Arena. This is no longer accurate, and the event will be at the Multiplex.
“We are working to amend those ads, posters, and billboards,” said Reigh Foster, Treasurer at Ptarmicon.
Admission for youth ages 12 and under will be free with an accompanying adult ticket thanks to the contribution of the Yellowknife MLAs. There will also be a Kid’s Zone with lots of fun activities, sponsored by the NT/NU Council of Friendship Centres.
The event will also include an eSports Arena, sponsored by NorthwesTel, with lots of games and events including a feature panel with two Twitch streamers from the North, and a four-player guitar band set up.
“I’m very excited to see who will hit the highest score for that one,” said Foster.
There will be a MarioKart World tournament on Saturday at 1:00 pm, the grand prize for which is a new Switch 2 console.
Ptarmicon will also be holding a memorial Magic: The Gathering event in honour of Milo Martin, a former youth member of the Ptarmicon society who passed away in 2022.
“Every year since then we have put on events to raise money in his honour, these funds are donated to the scholarship in his name held by the Yellowknife Community Foundation,” said Foster.
The event will be held at 12:30 pm on Saturday with a $20 entry fee, 100% of which will be donated. The format is Bracket 3 Commander.
Ptarmicon will be holding their annual costume/cosplay parade and contest on Sunday, with categories for Advanced, Beginner, and Group with cash prizes for the winners.
The convention will feature vendors selling art, board games, and more, including a booth doing tarot card readings.
The annual 19+ Ptarmicon After Dark event will be held Saturday night, from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, featuring a cash bar and other entertainment.
“Folks are welcome to come and play their favourite games with us and enjoy some light entertainment with 3 sets of variety acts,” said Foster.
More information about what events will be held at this year’s convection can be found at Ptarmicon’s Facebook page as well as their website, where tickets for the event can be purchased.
