ANE: Recess! (ANE Recess)

ANE: Recess! is a new furry convention from the team behind Anthro New England, held at the Boston Marriott Newton in Newton, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. The first edition runs August 13-15, 2027. It is planned as a smaller, cozier event with a "summer camp" feel, set at the end of summer when, in the organizers' words, the weather is just right. ANE: Recess! is 21+ only and limited to 1,000 attendees.

2027: The First ANE: Recess!

The first ANE: Recess! takes place August 13-15, 2027. Registration opens in January 2027, after Anthro New England 2027, and attendance is capped at 1,000. There are two badge levels: Attendee at USD 75, limited to 750 slots, and Sponsor at USD 175, limited to 250 slots. Sponsors also get a private sponsor dinner, a T-shirt and a sponsor gift. There are no day passes, and if the cap is reached there will be no registration at the door.

The featured charity is NEADS World Class Service Dogs, which Anthro New England has worked with before. Details on panels and dances are still to come.

Why Attend?

ANE: Recess! is built as the smaller, more relaxed sibling of Anthro New England. The organizers describe their main convention as a big January event in the city, while Recess caps attendance at 1,000 and moves to a riverside hotel in late summer. Recess was created with the local community in mind, but everyone is welcome. Every badge includes the whole weekend of programming, the main events and panels, and access to the green spaces around the hotel. Because the whole event is 21+, there is no separate adults-only area.

What Are the Highlights of ANE: Recess!?

• Riverside setting: The hotel sits on the Charles River next to Norumbega Park, with a climate-controlled outdoor pavilion and a gazebo on the grounds.
• Dealers Den: Vendors will be in the Commonwealth Ballroom, with full tables at USD 300 and half tables at USD 150, each including one registration.
• Free Artists' Alley: Artists' Alley tables are free, handed out by random lottery as daily spaces.
• Riverside Dances: Dances are listed on the official site, with details still to be announced.
• Panels: The weekend includes panels as part of every badge.
• Charity: NEADS World Class Service Dogs is the featured charity and plans to join the weekend.

How Do I Get to ANE: Recess!?

The Boston Marriott Newton is at 2345 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02466, right off both I-90 and I-95.

By car: Parking at the hotel is free for attendees during the event, instead of the usual USD 20 per night.

By Commuter Rail: The Framingham/Worcester line stops at Auburndale, about an 11-minute walk through a quiet neighborhood. You can also take the Fitchburg line to Waltham and connect to the 558 bus on weekdays.

By subway: Take the MBTA Green Line D branch to Riverside, then the 558 bus to the hotel on weekdays, or a short rideshare at the weekend.

By bus: Ride any bus to Waltham Station and change to the 558, which stops at Commonwealth Ave at the Marriott.

Where Should I Stay for ANE: Recess!?

The convention hotel is the Boston Marriott Newton. The 2027 rates are USD 199 per night for a Standard Double Queen room and USD 189 per night for a Standard King room, plus state and local taxes, currently 11.7%. River view versions of each room cost extra. The room block is not open yet and will open later in 2027; the organizers ask attendees to watch their social media for updates.

The hotel has an indoor pool, a fitness center and its own restaurant. Check-in is at 4 pm and check-out at noon. Accessible rooms with roll-in showers are available: book your room type through the convention link, then call the hotel to switch to an accessible room. There are no campgrounds on the property.