NightMarket.fun Kaiju Art Contest
They’re on the loose. Your quest begins here.
Drawing submissions due October 15.
Winners announced October 31.
Need Help with Your Submission?
Free Art Workshop available on Sunday, September 20. RSVP HERE.
Kaiju (strange and mysterious beasts and creatures) drawn and submitted by local children and adults are brought to life as augmented reality creatures for you to track down. The moonlit monster hunt begins once the lanterns are lit at NightMarket.fun on November 14 at Lakeline Park in Cedar Park.
Design, Draw, Submit
Every great kaiju starts with a spark. Maybe it's a shadowy alley spirit, a lantern-lit sky serpent, a mischievous market fox, or a tiny lucky charm creature that only comes out at night. Whatever you imagine, we want to see it.
Selected creatures will be set loose as augmented reality characters throughout NightMarket.fun. When the festival opens its gates on November 14, every visitor's quest is the same: track down as many kaiju sightings as you can across the moonlit market, creatures designed by local kids and adults, just like you.
Enter the Kaiju Art Contest and score a bonus drop: a $2 off your ticket promo code once tickets go on sale.
Your Creature Unlocks a Reward!
Eligibility
Who Can Enter:
Children’s Divsion: ages 5-12
Teen Division: ages 13-17
Adult Divsion: ages 18+
One submission per participant
Artwork must be 100% your own original creation: No AI-generated art, no tracing or copying existing characters (including Pokémon, anime characters, or other existing IP)
What to Create:
Design one original magical creature or kaiju that:
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Is colorful and visually engaging
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Is appropriate for all ages
Accepted Mediums:
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Hand-drawn, painted, or digital illustration, digital fan art, audio, video, stills, photography
File specs for submission:
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JPG, PNG, MOV, MP4, MP3, WAV, and GLB
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High resolution: 300 dpi or higher when possible
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Stills under 5MB, Videos and any 3D under 30 MB
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Selected artwork will be adapted into a lightweight 3D/AR asset for the festival map, so bold outlines, clear silhouettes, and strong color blocking translate best
Content Guidelines
Keeping It Family-Friendly
Kaiju on the loose can be mischievous, mysterious, spooky, or fierce; that's half the fun! But every creature should stay welcoming for visitors of all ages, from little ones to grandparents.
Please avoid:
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Graphic violence, gore, blood, or injury
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Weapons as the main focus of the design
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Horror imagery meant to frighten young children
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Hate symbols, discriminatory content, or profanity
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Sexual or suggestive content
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Depictions of alcohol, tobacco, vaping, or drugs
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Political or religious messaging
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Copyrighted characters or existing IP (Pokémon, Disney, Marvel, Minecraft, anime characters, etc.). Your kaiju should be 100% original
Judging Criteria
Category
Weight
What We're Looking For
Creativity & Originality
40%
An imaginative concept, unique traits, and a fresh take on "creature"
Visual Design
40%
Balanced color and shape, interesting features, clear and readable artwork
Craftsmanship & Presentation
20%
Neatness, completeness, and effort appropriate to the artist's age
Submission Instructions
How to Enter
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Complete the online submission form (under 18 must have parent or guardian sign the consent form)
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Upload your artwork (JPG, PNG, MOV, MP4, MP3, WAV, and GLB), High resolution: 300 dpi or higher when possible, Stills under 5MB, Videos and any 3D under 30 MB,
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Include a short creature description (50–150 words) covering: name, habitat, magical abilities, personality, and a fun fact
Example description: Lumifluff lives deep inside glowing forests, where it helps lost travelers find their way using the sparkling crystals on its tail. Although shy, it loves collecting shiny pebbles and making flowers bloom wherever it walks.
Rights & Permissions
You keep full ownership of your original artwork. By entering, you're giving NightMarket.fun permission to display, reproduce, and adapt selected artwork for the Kaiju Hunt's AR experience, plus marketing, social media, and website use now and for future related events. If your kaiju is selected, we'll credit you wherever we reasonably can. Small tweaks may be made to help your design translate into an animated AR character, but we'll always keep the spirit of your original idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can adults enter too?
Yes! We have three divisions: Youth (5–12), Teen (13–17), and Adult (18+). Everyone competes within their own age group.
Can I submit more than one creature?
One submission per participant, so pick your favorite idea and go all in.
Does my art need to be super polished?
Not at all. We care about imagination and effort far more than technical polish, especially for our youth and teen entrants.
What if my creature is selected — what happens next?
We'll be in touch by email. Your artwork will be adapted into a lightweight animated character for the festival's AR experience, and you'll be credited as the creator wherever we reasonably can.
Will my kaiju really appear at NightMarket.fun?
Selected creatures join the moonlit monster hunt on November 14; set loose as Augmented Reality characters for every visitor's quest to find across Lakeline Park.
What file formats do you accept?
JPG, PNG, MOV, MP4, MP3, WAV, and GLB, high resolution (300 dpi or higher when possible). Stills under 5MB, Videos and any 3D under 30 MB.
Can I use AI to help create my artwork?
No. AI-generated submissions are not accepted. Your kaiju needs to be your own original creation.
What if my drawing looks like an existing character (Pokémon, anime, etc.)?
Submissions need to be 100% original. We can't accept designs based on existing copyrighted characters, even as inspiration for close redesigns.
When is the deadline?
October 15, 2026 at 11:59pm
When will selected drawings be announced?
October 31, 2026
Is there an entry fee?
No, it's free to submit your drawing. To hunt for and see your (or anyone else's) creature in augmented reality at the festival, standard NightMarket.fun admission applies. Kaiju Art Contest entrants will receive a $2 off ticket promo code when tickets go on sale.