FIND YOURSELF A LARP*!!
This list is going to be very USA-centric because that's where I live and very medieval fantasy-centric because that's what I prefer. Also I have a lot of national organizations and not a lot of local games because trying to find every local game would be a forever job.
I would welcome and invite any contributions or corrections!!
In general:
LARP Finder is a website that has a LOT of links to LARPs in the USA, UK, Canada and Europe, but it's not the most up-to-date resource and is by no means comprehensive (because that would be a forever job).
LARP Portal is another database that can be searched with filters like location, genre and size. Like LARP Finder, it's not going to be complete or up to date, but that would be impossible. It does seem to be mostly US-based.
Alexandria has a running list of LARPs/LARP events and other nerd events in Europe, focusing mostly on Denmark
Mostly or entirely combat:
Amtgard is a foam weapon fighting game that meets in mostly public parks. They have costumes and personas but I don't think they have much in the way of plot. They also have a magic system that I believe is of the chanting and throwing beanbag variety (I am typing this in a glass house). They do have some larger events and tournaments that people from multiple chapters travel to.
Belegarth is similar to Amtgard in that it is costumed foam fighting but not really roleplaying, mostly whacking.
Dagrorhir is a medieval fantasy foam-fighting organization that seems a lot more costuming-heavy than Amtgard or Bel but still mostly about whacking and extremely rules-light compared to the major medieval fantasy roleplay-heavy games.
Hearthlight is predominantly on the east coast of the US. They look like they're in the same vein as Bel and Dag where they're mostly combat-focused, but they do have rules for costuming and healing mechanics.
Buhurt is "arena combat with blunted steel weapons. Armor is required, and frequently people will join a certain gym or team in order to compete. This is an international extreme sport. It is full contact, and unchoreographed. And not only that, but it's a sport that focuses on strategy and BRUTE STRENGTH."**
I don't want to use the word "broey" and of course only Medieval Times is silly enough to limit combat by gender, but damn if it doesn't fit (and if you like broey, no problem!! Bros are valid!!).
HEMA "Like Buhurt, this is a true combat sport. Blunted steel weapons, and armor/proper attire is required. Again, this is an international sport in which people will often join a gym or team in order to train and compete. It is NOT full contact, but it IS unchoreographed. HEMA is more about precision than force, unlike Buhurt. Also, HEMA is very historian-heavy. Similar to the SCA, they encourage historical accuracy in combat. But this is not your standard LARP."**
Both combat and roleplaying:
Alliance LARP is a medieval fantasy foam weapon LARP that has chapters in a lot of states, mostly in the East and Midwest. It has a strong focus on player-versus-environment and cooperation between players, and player-vs-player is usually discouraged.
NERO is similar to Alliance but older and mostly on the East Coast.
Refuge LARP is similar to Alliance and NERO but newer, and is found mostly on the West Coast, with a chapter in Alberta, Canada. It is also more focused on player cooperation.
Dystopia Rising is a post-apocalyptic LARP with some zombie and survival horror elements. They also use foam weapons as well as Nerf guns. As far as I've seen they are also very cooperative within the PCs, and there have been rules changes even since I've been there to further reduce player-vs-player conflict.
Bicolline is a year-round foam weapon medieval fantasy LARP in Quebec, Canada that also has an annual massive event in August which draws people from all over the world.
The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) has "a massive social network within this one that is entirely non-combat related. You can help with feast or service, you can learn and practice all sorts of arts, you can do musical stuff... The list goes on. So if you're not a fighter, there's still fun to be had!"** Crafting, particular fiber crafts like costuming and tapestry and weaving, have a very strong presence.
"[W]hile both heavy and light combat require armor, heavy weapons (sword and board, greatsword, flow fighting, etc.) uses rattan (wooden) weapons, while light weapons (foil, rapier, dagger) uses blunted steel. Combat is full contact and unchoreographed. The SCA is like the middle-ground between HEMA/Buhurt, and Amt, Bel, and Dag in terms of combat intensity."**
DrachenFest US is an annual foam weapon fantasy LARP that's an American spinoff of a longstanding game in Germany. They have one huge event a year in June. It's very light on the rules, you can sort of bring on whoever, and I believe is mostly or entirely player-vs-player.
Fayhaven is an annual medieval fantasy foam weapon LARP taking place in the fall in the American Midwest. It has high standards of costuming and weaponry (only mass-produced 'realistic' weapons are allowed), and is relatively rules-light. There's technically a magic system but it looks like there's not a whole lot to it. The website says its intended to be primarily player-vs-environment conflict
Strictly roleplay/simulated combat:
MES (formerly Mind's Eye Society, currently known as Modern Enigma Society) runs games set in the World of Darkness, including Vampire: The Masquerade. Historically they used rock-paper-scissors to determine who won fights, but I think I've heard they use drawing cards or dice now. Regardless, I would check them out if you want to dress up and play politics but not get hit.
One World By Night is also a network of World of Darkness games. If their website is current, it looks like they have a ton of games in the eastern and Midwestern US, as well as a ton of games in Brazil for some reason. If there are any real differences between MES and OWBN I don't know them.
LARP conventions:
LARP conventions are not solely events for one rules set or world. They showcase a number of groups or host one-shots in a variety of systems and genres.
Intercon is a four-day LARP convention based in Rhode Island. It hosts mostly one-shot, parlor-style, primarily roleplay games, and takes place in late February.
Prestige LARP groups:
A prestige/blockbuster LARP is a high production undertaking meant to be more immersive through the use of setting, props, and costuming. They are usually expensive to put on, so they can be expensive to attend, and will rarely happen more than once a year, if they even happen more than once at all.
Some groups that put on prestige/blockbuster LARPs include: Sinking Ship Creations in the NYC area; Grimmoire Productions around the Midwest; Mooney Bin Entertainment in the Denver area
**Thank you to @internallymoss for the reminders, corrections, and contributions! Thanks for not telling any of the Belegarth players I forgot about it.........
Thank you to @equinoxum for the heads up about LARP Portal!
Thank you @1kit for letting me know about Hearthlight!
Thank you @skainsmates for the heads up about Alexandria!
Thank you @classyinternetmango for letting me know about Fayhaven!
Thank you @sreiaa for the info about Intercon and blockbuster LARPs!
