F.A.Q. â Five Points Fest 2025
Right off the batâwe want to acknowledge that Five Points Fest may not be right for everyone.
Weâre experimenting with a new type of showâone that prioritizes art, community, and connection over just another transactional con. This is a festival built for the scene, designed to be more immersive, more intimate, and more engagingâwhere artists and vendors arenât overlooked but feel seen, valued, and truly connected to their audience.
In order to make sure itâs the right fit for you as a vendor or attendee, weâve compiled a list of frequently asked questions.
Whatâs happening with Five Points Fest? Why did you move from Brooklyn to Beacon, NY?
Weâre evolving! Five Points Fest is becoming a citywide, outdoor experience that immerses attendees in art, music, and underground culture like never before.
The cost of doing business in Brooklyn was only going up every year, and the Art Toy community has been shrinking since the pandemic, we needed to make a change to ensure the longevity of Five Points, and honestly, we werenât happy with the limitations we were surrounded by in all the available spaces.
We have always wanted to buildâa true festival, not just another con.
Since the Expo Center shut down, weâve been stuck trying to make spaces work that just donât. Every year we have heard the many many complaints: The venue was too dark, too cramped, too noisy, not enough room for food or hanging out, difficult to get too, in a weird neighborhood, hotels are too expensive, no parking, no real space for spray paint, the courtyard was down the block (and “I didn’t even know it was there!”), it took me 2 hours to drive 8 blocks ⊠We heard you and it wasnât the vibe we wanted either.
This move isnât about losing Brooklyn; itâs about finally realizing the full potential of Five Points. Making Five Points Fest actually fun again.,, Beacon offers space, community, and a fresh approach that puts art first.
The world has changed, and we crave real connection. Anyone can buy something online, but face-to-face moments, community, and unforgettable experiences make collecting truly special far beyond the opening of a box that arrived in the mail.
We want to create an inclusive atmosphere with art and community at the front of the experience. Our hope is that everyone has a good experience, that isnât just about commerce.Â
We realize this new vision isnât for everyone, but if you love toys, art, and hanging out with like-minded people and friendsâthis is for you!
When is Five Points Fest 2025 & show hours?
June 7 – 8th
Show Hours
General Public 11 pm
Vendor hours close at 6 pm
Evening programming – 6 – 10 pm
Music, Burlesque & Drinks, and limited vendors.
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After-hours party at Happy Valley – 10:30 pm
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General Public 11 pm
Close show 6 pm
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Where is Five Points Fest moving to?
📍Weâre moving to Beacon, NYâan easily accessible, vibrant art city that offers more space, fresh air, and a way more immersive experience.
Getting to Beacon
🚆 By Train: Take the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Centralâit’s an easy ride straight to Beacon.
🚗 By Car: About 1.5 hours from NYC. Parking is available, but carpooling is encouraged!
🛶 By Boat? If you can make that happen, youâre officially a legend. (We are on the Hudson River)
Why Beacon, NY?
Beacon is a thriving art hub, home to Dia:Beacon, Ron English, Alex Grey’s Cosm, Storm King, Ethan Cohen Gallery, and an incredible underground art scene. Itâs the perfect setting for a festival that celebrates creativity, community, and independent art.
Check out these articles –
Do you have group hotel rates?
Yes, we absolutely do.
We are just signing the final contracts so give us a couple of days to finish up.
Thanks so much!
I only want to travel to Brooklyn..
For the people complaining about travel, letâs be realâgetting to Brooklyn isnât exactly a breeze either. Youâre dodging traffic, dealing with overpriced parking, crammed into subways, or paying out the nose for Ubers. Beacon? WAY easier.
- Train: Hop on the Metro-North from Grand Central, and boomâyou’re in Beacon in about an hour. No transfers, no subway rats, just a scenic ride straight to the festival.
- Car: Unlike Brooklyn, you can actually park in Beacon without taking out a second mortgage.
- Air: Flying in? Youâre closer to major airports than you think, plus there are shuttles and rental cars galore.
At the end of the day, if you love this scene, youâll make the tripâjust like you would for DCon, ComplexCon, or SDCC. The real ones show up.
What is the Yard?
The Yard is a versatile event space located at 4 Hanna Lane in Beacon, NY. It offers an expansive outdoor area complemented by a two-story, ADA-accessible indoor facility. This configuration allows for a wide array of events.Â
But, The Yard is more than just an event spaceâitâs a community-driven, creative hub that embraces art, music, and underground culture. Itâs one of those rare venues that feels both expansive and intimate, making it perfect for everything from high-energy festivals to cozy, artistic gatherings.
The Yard actively supports the local community by hosting diverse functions such as open mic nights and concerts. Its commitment to fostering community engagement makes it a central hub for cultural and social activities in the Hudson Valley region, and provides a community kitchen that feeds local residents who are in need a free breakfast daily.
Itâs the kind of place that champions indie culture, thrives on creative energy, and feels like home for those who love underground art, music, and alternative events. Basically, itâs the perfect fit for something like Five Points Festâs new vision!
Is this an outdoor festival?
Yes, in 2025 Five Points Fest has moved to become an outdoor experience to allow us more flexibility in what we can do. While we do have some building coverage, most vendors will either be covered by large tent structures or smaller pop-up tents. Some will be on grass and some on concrete.
☀️ Plan accordingly! It can be hotâbring a fan and stay hydrated.
Worried About Being Outdoors? Hereâs the Deal.
We hear youâoutdoor events come with some unpredictability. But trust us, weâve got you covered (literally).
- Tents & Covering â Vendors will be under large tent structures or pop-up tents, with options for additional coverage if needed. Some areas are on grass, others on concrete, but all are carefully planned for comfort and accessibility.
- Indoor & Shaded Spaces â While the core of the festival is outdoor, there are also indoor gallery spaces, vendor storage areas, and covered spots for those who need a break from the sun (or potential rain).
- Plan for the Elements â Itâs June in New York, so it could be warm. Hydrate, bring a fan, wear sunscreen, and dress for the weatherâjust like any good festival experience.
- Better Atmosphere, More Freedom â No stuffy air, no overcrowded halls, no fluorescent lights. Just fresh air, open space, and a festival vibe that actually feels alive.
Flexibility & Adaptability â Weâre prepared for weather shifts, and weâll have contingencies in place to ensure your experience is amazing, rain or shine.
Will there still be Designer Toys?
What other experiences can I expect?
🎨 Live Painting & Murals
🎸 Music Performances
🔥 Bonfire Hangouts
🍻 Craft Beer Gardens
🖼️ Pop-Up Art Galleries
🎥 Movie Screenings
💀 Bones & Curiosities Night Market
⛺ Glamping & Artist Retreats
🖋️ Live Tattooing
🍲 Gourmet Food Trucks
❤️ Community Initiatives & Mutual Aid
What is Toy Pizza Expoâs role?
Toy Pizza Expo is officially part of Five Points Fest, creating a dedicated space for indie toy makers, alongside a special area for Onell Design & the Glyos Universe.
What is Moon Serpent & Boneâs role?
Weâre joining forces with the Moon Serpent & Bone Oddities and Curiosities Night Marketâbringing bones, witches, and mystical oddities into the mix for an even more magical weekend.
Will Five Points Fest still work with ZeroSpace?
We love ZeroSpace and the team is amazing!! We will work with them again, but for now, weâre focusing on expanding and creating a unique experience in Beacon.
Is this just another con?
Nope. Weâre creating the SXSW of underground cultureâthe Woodstock of toys. This is a space to connect, create, and celebrate the scene together.
How does the move benefit vendors?
Moving the festival allows us to pass on savings directly to you! Vendor booth spaces are now cheaper and come with more options to fit your needs. Plus, with the new festival-style format, youâll get more visibility, better engagement, and an atmosphere thatâs all about art, community, and connectionânot just transactions.
More space, more freedom, more valueâthis is the next evolution of Five Points Fest, and we canât wait for you to be part of it!
To the Haters, Naysayers & Keyboard WarriorsâŠ
We get itâchange is hard. Â But staying stagnant? Thatâs worse. Moving from Brooklyn to Beacon and from an indoor con to an epic outdoor festival isnât for everyone. And guess what? Thatâs fine.
But hereâs the deal:
- Brooklyn is LIMITING . Weâre doing this to expand the culture, and encourage new collectors, from different walks of life. Since the Expo Center shut down, we havenât found a viable alternative to make Five Points the party we dream it should be.Â
- We built this from the ground up, and we want to create something that actually benefits the scene, not just another city convention fighting for attention.
- Weâre evolving. Five Points has always been about pushing boundaries, not just setting up booths in a convention hall year after year.
- As for being outdoorsâthis isnât some random street fair – It’s still Five Points Fest!. Weâre creating an immersive experience with art, music, bonfires, and pop-ups in a way that no convention center could ever offer. Yeah, weather is a factor, but guess what? Art isnât meant to be comfortable. Itâs meant to be experienced.
If youâre here for the culture, the creativity, and the communityâBeacon is your new home. If you just want air conditioning, well⊠thereâs always NYCC or Amazon..Â
- Community over commerce. Anyone can buy a toy online. But meeting artists, painting walls, listening to live music, and hanging by a bonfire? Thatâs real.
- Beacon is legit. If you think this move is about “downgrading,” you donât know Beacon. The city is an art mecca, and weâre turning it into our playground.
- Are you still reading this? Letâs get matching tattoos!Â
If you only want a predictable, cookie-cutter con experience with bad fluorescent lighting and overpriced food, thatâs coolâthis ainât it. But if youâre down for an immersive, wild, creative weekend celebrating the best of toys, art, and underground culture⊠then weâll see you in Beacon!
Attendees
Do I Need A Ticket?
Yes, tickets are needed to attend the Five Points Festival and can be purchased online.
Tickets are available Saturday, Sunday, Weekend and VIPÂ flavors.Â
Do you have hotel discounts?
Yes! We are happy to provide you with discounted hotel rates with our hotel partners. Information on this can be found here.
We do want to warn everyone that if you received an email from an âEvent Partnerâ or someone claiming to be working with us for a special hotel rate, IT IS FAKE! Please ignore we do not want you to be scammed.
 You can also use reputable sites such as Hotels.com and Expedia.
How do I collect my VIP pass?
Congratulations on being one of our VIP guests! As part of your ticket, you get in 1 hour earlier, at 10 am (EST). Lines form early on Saturday (sometimes Friday night), so be aware that it may be hot, or raining, so dress appropriately and bring water/shade – BE PREPARED!
You will be receiving a QR code from us before the event. This will be used to collect your VIP goodie bag. If you have attended as a V.I.P before, this is new, so please be on the lookout for it.
Your V.I.P badge and goodie bag, will NOT be mailed to you. You must be at the festival to collect them. You can do this in two ways:
Registration to collect your pass starts at 8 am, but you will not be able to gain access until 10 am.
You must bring your ticket confirmation and Valid ID for the name on the ticket to collect your passes.
Who can attend?
Can I Cosplay?
Absolutely. We LOVE a good costume!! Cosplay is a huge part of convention culture, and weâre not looking to limit your creativity, but please note that costumes must be appropriate to wear in public â if you canât wear it on the streets of New York City, you canât wear it at Five Points Fest. Please look to the following parameters about what is and is not allowed at Five Points:
- Donât wear anything thatâs sharp, pointy, or could hurt another attendee
- Donât be a jerk!
- Prop firearms are NOT allowed.
- Prop bows will be allowed providing all arrows have soft tips and will not be shot
- No metal weapons, sharp weapons, blunt weapons, cap guns, airsoft guns, BB guns, or vuvuzelas at all.
What If Iâm Uncomfortable Or Harassed?
Five Points is an open celebration of art and its creators, and harassment of any kind is the opposite of the community we want to be.
Five Points is committed to fostering an atmosphere where attendees can count on a safe, inclusive, and rewarding experience â with zero tolerance for harassment, groping, stalking, and inappropriate photography.
Harassment includes, but isnât limited to, verbal defamation based on gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion; deliberate intimidation; following or stalking; forceful photography or recording; sustained disruptions; and non-consensual physical contact or sexual attention.
Harassment of any kind is unwelcome at Five Points and will not be tolerated. Anyone involved in harassing behaviour will be removed from the premises, with no re-entry, and face a lifetime ban from the event,
If you feel harassed in any way during the event, please contact a member of our team, or security as soon as possible.
Can I bring kids? Are they Free?
Children aged ten and under get free admission to Five Points Fest!.
Everyone 11 years and older requires a ticket.
Before you bring your kids, please understand Five Points is a celebration of designer toys and comics that will feature everything from super cute to super adult.
So be aware that not everything at Five Points Festival is appropriate for kids.
Why Is It Called The Five Points Festival?
We built a marketplace inspired by one of New Yorkâs most storied neighborhoods â The Five Points of Old New York â and Five Points Fest takes its name and soul from that legendary crossroads of culture, chaos, and creativity.
Five Points was an area of 19th century Lower Manhattan between Centre Street to the West, Bowery to the East, Canal Street to the North, and Park Row to the South â an area very close to where the Five Points Festival took place in its first year.
Back in the 19th century, the original Five Points was a notorious melting pot of art, rebellion, indulgence, and outsiders. It was loud. It was raw. It was alive. And while the neighborhood itself has long disappeared, its independent spirit lives on in the rebel artists and creators of today.
Five Points Festival is their homecoming.
More than a name, Five Points represents the five pillars we live and breathe:
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Designer Toys
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Independent Artists (lowbrow, street, comics, vinyl, and beyond)
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Food
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Craft Beer
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Community
This is the intersection where creativity gets loud. Welcome to the revolution.
Vendors & Logistics
How Can I Be a Sponsor?
We offer many sponsorship opportunities from small to large. You do not have to be a vendor to sponsor. If you are interested in being part of Five Points Fest by sponsoring us please contact us at [email protected]. We are always open to hearing sponsorship ideas as well.
How will I know my items are safe and secure?
24-hour security will be on-site for valuables and attendees. Vendors will have access to large secure tubs inside a locked building for storage. Additional tubs available upon request.
Will Five Points Fest still work with ZeroSpace?
We love ZeroSpace and will work with them again, but for now, weâre focusing on expanding and creating a unique experience in Beacon.
As a vendor, am I stuck to a specific con style space?
NO!, Think outside the box, and bring us your best ideas!
No longer confined by convention center rules, weâre bringing the festival experience to life in bold new ways. Think late-night hangs, bonfires, and an atmosphere thatâs as wild as your imagination. Bring your most creative, outside-the-box ideasâletâs make this unforgettable.
I lost my pass! Can I get a replacement?
Badges and wristbands that are lost, stolen or damaged cannot be replaced. Please take care of your badgeâit is your only valid entry into the event.
How do I apply for a press pass?
Information on press registration can be found on our press page.
Can I Volunteer to help?
Yes, please! Weâd love your help in making this festival happen. Get all the details and sign up here!