The chilling winds of Rosemont, Illinois were no match for the heat brought by thousands of furs attending Midwest FurFest 2025. From December 4th to 7th, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center was transformed into a lair of fun, mischief, and memories under the theme "Villainous Vacation."
If you missed out or just want to relive the chaos (the good kind!), here's our full recap of the weekend.
This year, MFF took a turn for the diabolical—in the most lighthearted way possible. The "Villainous Vacation" theme saw the return of the Galactic Gator and his crew of critters, setting the stage for a convention filled with playful antics.
Attendees embraced the theme wholeheartedly. We saw:
Midwest FurFest continues to be one of the largest furry conventions in the world. While official final numbers are still being tallied, preliminary reports suggest:
As always, the Saturday afternoon parade was the centerpiece of the event. The sheer variety of suits—from hyper-realistic wolves to toon-style dragons and even a few menacing "villains" fitting the theme—was breathtaking. The energy in the main hall was electric as the parade wound its way through.
The Dealers Den was expanded this year, occupying even more square footage to accommodate the growing number of artists and makers. Hot items included theme-specific badges and accessories, with "henchman" armbands being a popular impulse buy.
The rave scene at MFF remains legendary. DJs spun sets that kept the dance floor packed until the early hours of the morning. The "Villain's Ball" on Friday night was a particular standout, with a mix of industrial and high-energy EDM perfect for plotting evil schemes (or just dancing).
As we recover from the post-con blues (and the inevitable "con crud"—hope you're washing your hands!), eyes are already turning to 2026. Be sure to check out our Winter Convention Guide if you're itching for your next furry fix before spring!
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