Science Fiction Conventions

Science fiction conventions (a generic term used for science fiction/fantasy/horror conventions) range from intimate 100-person (or fewer!) get-togethers to huge, expensive productions such as WorldCon and Dragon*Con, which attract thousands of members. There is something for everyone, and there are many, many conventions all over the world. Examples of some events you might find at a typical science fiction convention include: panel discussions, dealer room (a.k.a. vendors), art show, art auction, charity auction, costuming competition (a.k.a. masquerade), con suite (a.k.a. hospitality suite), & gaming.

Below is a list of many local (DC-area) conventions and other conventions that may be of interest to GLBT folk (e.g. Gaylaxicons), as well as Worldcons *, NASFiCs **, & World Fantasy Conventions. If you know of a DC-area convention, or another convention you think would be of interest to Lambda Sci-Fi and friends, or if you find any errors on this page, please contact us. The conventions are listed in date order.

* Worldcon is the World Science Fiction Convention
** NASCFiC is the North American Science Fiction Convention, held whenever Worldcon is held outide North America

2008 Conventions

• Balticon: May 23-26, 2008. Marriott Hunt Valley Inn, Baltimore, MD. Author Guest of Honor: Connie Willis; Artist Guest of Honor: John Jude Palencar; Musical Guest of Honor: Urban Tapestry; 2007 Compton Crook Award Winner: Naomi Novik; Ghost of Honor: Douglas Adams. Membership: $51 ($25 child, 6-12) through April 30; $59 ($29 child, 6-12) at the door; children under 6 free (with paying adult). Group rates available (buy 10, get 11th free); e-mail for details.
  
  
• Shore Leave: July 11-13, 2008. Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, Hunt Valley, MD. Guests: Actors, writers, & scientists. Membership: $65 in advance; $75 at the door; $15 children (5-12); children under 5 free (with paying adult).
  
  
• Denvention 3 (The World Science Fiction Convention): August 6-10, 2008. Colorado Convention Center & nearby hotels, Denver, CO. Author Guest of Honor: Lois McMaster Bujold; Artist Guest of Honor: Rick Sternback; Fan Guest of Honor: Tom Whitmore; Toastmaster: Wil McCarthy; Special Music Guest: Kathy Mar; Ghost of Honor: Robert A. Heinlein. Membership: $200 ($50 child under 12 as of 08-06-2008); infant free; $50 supporting. WorldCon membership rates vary based on voting and presupporting; please check web site for details.
  
  
• Otakon: August 8-10, 2008. Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD. Guests: Voice actors & web comic creators. Membership: $55 before 07-11-2008; $65 after & at the door.
  
  
• JohnCon: Fall (???), 2008. Johns Hopkins University campus, Baltimore, MD. Annual gaming convention at Johns Hopkins University. Membership: $9 through 09-08-2008; $12 at the door.
  
  
• Gaylaxicon 2008: October 10-13, 2008. Hyatt Regency, Bethesda, MD. Author Guest of Honor: Geoff Ryman; Artist Guest of Honor: Alicia Austin. Membership: $65 through 09-30-2007; $70 after & at the door. Gaylaxicon is the only science fiction convention focused on the GLBT community.
  
  
• SPX Expo (Small Press Expo): October 4-5, 2008. Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center, MD. Admission Tickets: $15; $8 for one day. SPX brings together over 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, distributors, and each other.
  
  
• Anime USA: October 10-12, 2008. Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arglinton, VA. Guests: Voice actors & costumers (cosplay). Membership: $35 until 06-30-2008; $40 until 09-30-2008; $40 at the door; Silver memberships are $18 more (limited to 300; pre-reg only; include con t-shirt & pin); Sponsor memberships are $125; Sponsor memberships are $125 (limited to 50; pre-reg only; Silver benefits plus first entry for cosplay & other shows in main events, 30 minute early access to the Dealer Room, meet & greet with guests Friday night, & names listed in program book as official sponsors of Anime USA).
  
  
• CapClave: October 17-19, 2008. Rockville Hilton (formerly Doubletree), Rockville, MD. Author Guest of Honor: James Morrow; Critic Guest of Honor: Michael Dirda. Membership: $40 through 05-31-2008; $50 through 09-30-2008; $60 after.
  
  
• World Fantasy Convention: October 30-November 2, 2008. Hyatt Regency, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Guests of Honor: David Morrell, Barbara Hambly, Tom Doherty, Tad Williams, & Todd Lockwood. Membership: $125 through 04-30-2008; $150 after; $35 supporting.
  
  
• Euro Quest: November 6-9, 2008. Days Hotel, Timonium, MD. Membership: $50; $20 one-day; free for children 12 & under (open gaming only, with a paying adult); BPA members & GCOM Supporting members get a $10 discount off pre-registration for the whole weekend.
  
  
• Darkover Grand Council Meeting: November 28-30, 2008. Holiday Inn Timonium, Timonium, MD. Guest of Honor: Patricia Briggs; Artist Guest of Honor: TBA; Special Guest: Katherine Kurtz; Musical Guests of Honor: Clam Chowder. Membership: $45 until 11-1-2008; $50 after that & at the door. This is a very GLBT-friendly convention!
  
  

2009 Conventions

• Farpoint: February 13-15, 2009. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Timonium, MD. Guests: Harve Bennett, et al. Membership: $60 through 01-31-2009; $25 children.
  
  
• Katsucon: February ?-?, 2009. Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC. Guests: TBA.
  
  
• RavenCon: April 24-26, 2009. Crown Plaza West, Richmond, VA. Author Guest of Honor: Jack McDevittC.S. Friedman; Artist Guest of Honor: TBA; Fan Guest of Honor: TBA.
  
  
• Gaylaxicon 2009: October 9-11, 2009. Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis--Park Place, Minneapolis, MN. Guests of Honor: Margaret Weis, Andy Mangels, & Lawrence Schimel. Membership: $60 until 09-01-2009; $70 until 10-01-2009; $80 at the door. Gaylaxicon is the only science fiction convention focused on the GLBT community.
  
  
• Anticipation (The World Science Fiction Convention): August 6-10, 2009. Palais des congres de Montreal, Montreal, Canada. Guest of Honor: Neil Gaiman; Invitee d'honneur: Elisabeth Vonarburg; Editor Guest of Honor: David Hartwell; Publisher Guest of Honor: Tom Doherty; Fan Guest of Honor: Taral Wayne; Master of Ceremonies: Julie Czerneda. Membership: $150 ; supporting $50. WorldCon membership rates vary based on voting and presupporting; please check web site for details.