Anthro New England (ANE) is an annual furry convention held in Boston, Massachusetts. The convention attracts thousands of attendees each year, reaching the latest record attendance of 7,284 in 2026. The event is currently held in the Seaport District of the city of Boston between two hotels, the Westin Boston Seaport District and the Omni Boston at the Seaport.
Funds raised by the convention are directed toward the selected charity each year. Since 2020, Anthro New England has maintained a three-year rotation cycle for these beneficiaries, which generally consist of an animal focused charity and an LGBTQ+ focused charity.
History Anthro New England was organized in 2014 with the goal of hosting a furry convention in Greater Boston. The inaugural event was held in 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge in Cambridge, Massachusetts with an initial attendance of 757 people. During the first convention, 165 people took part in the fursuit parade.
As the convention grew, it relocated to the Boston Park Plaza in 2018. By that time, ANE had become one of the largest furry conventions in the United States, reaching an attendance of 2,050.
Following the return to in-person gatherings, Anthro New England has seen rapid year-over-year growth in attendance. From 2022 to 2026, attendance has increased by over one thousand each year, solidifying its position among the top ten largest furry conventions globally. To accommodate this growth, the convention relocated to the Westin Boston Seaport District hotel in 2023, and later added additional overflow hotels in 2024.
In April 2026, following a record-breaking year, Anthro New England announced an agreement to expand the conventions footprint for 2027, utilizing both the Westin and the Omni Boston at the Seaport hotel for additional guestrooms and event space.
Locations, attendances, charity donations, and themes by year Year Location Attendance Charitydonation CharityTheme2015 Hyatt Regency Cambridge, Cambridge, Massachusetts 757 $10,000 Massachusetts Vest-a-DogThe American Revolution: Boston Strong!2016 965 $11,000Sportsball!2017 1,384 $15,000For Science!2018 Hilton Boston Park Plaza, Boston, Massachusetts 2,050 $21,000To the Sea!2019 2,251 $22,500Attack of the Were-Con!2020 2,570 $25,700 ALS Foundation, NEADS Service DogsThe Roaring Twenties!2021 colspan="4" ANE: Online!2022 Hilton Boston Park Plaza, Boston, Massachusetts 2,530 $27,000 NEADS Service Dogs, Youth on FireBack to the 90's!2023 Westin Boston Seaport District, Boston, Massachusetts3,548$21,000Trains!20244,482$30,000Youth on Fire, Wings of the DawnIt's a Nor'Eastah!20255,761$40,000Wings of the Dawn, Queer ScoutsA Staggering Case!20267,284$50,000Wings of the Dawn, Queer ScoutsIt's a Western!2027Westin Boston Seaport District & Omni Boston at the Seaport, Boston, MassachusettsTBATBAConnecticut Draft Horse Rescue, Queer ScoutsSleepytime!
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