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

2010 Conventions

• Farpoint: February 12-14, 2010. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Timonium, MD. Confirmed Guests: Felicia Day, Mira Furlan, Sam Witwer, Lee Arenberg. For fans of all genres of imaginative fiction - Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, SuperHeroes - in all the media formats in which they might appear - Cinematic Movies, Television, Direct to DVD, Books on Tape, Podcasts, Web Video - you name it, we want to celebrate it!
  
  
• Katsucon: February 12-14, 2010. Gaylord National, National Harbor, MD (just outside of DC). Guests: Various musical, cosplay, artist, voice actor, author, DJ, comic, web comic, & industry guests. Focuses on anime, manga, etc.
  
  
• SynDCon: February 12-15, 2010. Rockville Hilton Hotel & Executive Business Center. The Washington, DC Area's Premiere Gaming Convention.
  
  
• Game Con: April 17-18, 2010. Clarion Hotel, Aberdeen, MD. Guests: TBA. Gaming convention with scheduled games, plus board & card games are played throughout the day.
  
  
• RavenCon: April 9-11, 2010. Holiday Inn Kroger Center, Richmond, VA. Author Guest of Honor: Rachel Caine; Artist Guest of Honor: R. Cat; Gaming Guest of Honor: Steve Long. Mystery-friendly general SF/F/H convention with a 24-hour gaming room.
  
  
• OutLantaCon: April 30 - May 2, 2010. Holiday Inn Select Atlanta-Perimeter. New Atlanta-based geek event for GLBT/Other fans.
  
  
• Costume-Con: May 7-10, 2010. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, WI. Dedicated to the art and craft of costumes and costuming of all types.
  
  
• Balticon: May 28-31, 2010. Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, Baltimore, MD. Author Guest of Honor: Tanya Huff; Artist Guest of Honor: Howard Tayler; Music/Filk Guest of Honor: TBA; Science Guest of Honor: Dr. Thomas Holtz Jr.; Fan Ghost of Honor: Hal Haag; 2009 Compton Crook Award Winner: Paul Melko; 2010 Compton Crook Award Winner: TBA. The Maryland Regional Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention.
  
  
• Shore Leave: July 9-11, 2010. Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, Hunt Valley, MD. Guests: Edward James Olmos, Katee Sackhoff, Torri Higginson, Kevin Sorbo, & Bill Dow; others TBA as confirmed. A fan-run science fiction convention that focuses on media.
  
  
• Otakon: July 30 - August 1, 2010. Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD. Guests: TBA. Celebrating anime, manga, and all facets of Asian pop culture!
  
  
• ReConStruction (NASFiC, the Regional North American Science Fiction Convention): August 5-8, 2010. Raleigh, NC. Author Guest of Honor: Eric Flint; Artist Guest of Honor: Brad Foster; Fan Guest of Honor: Juanita Coulson; Toastmaster: Toni Weisskopf. Bringing together people, both professionals and fans, from all over North America who have an interest in science fiction and fantasy; NASFiC is held in years when Worldcon is outside North America.
  
  
• Aussiecon 4 (Worldcon, the World Science Fiction Convention): September 2-6, 2010. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Guests of Honor: Kim Stanley Robinson (author), Robin Johnson (fan), & Shaun Tan (artist). Bringing together people, both professionals and fans, from all over the world who have an interest in science fiction and fantasy; the emphasis is on the literary side, but all other forms (film, television, cmoics, etc.) are included.
  
  
• SPX Expo (Small Press Expo): September 11-12, 2010. Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Bethesda, MD. SPX brings together over 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, distributors, and each other.
  
  
• Gaylaxicon 2010: October 29-31, 2010. Marriott Chateau Champlain, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Guests of Honor: TBA. Gaylaxicon is the premiere science fiction convention focused on the GLBT community.
  
  
• CapClave: October 22-24, 2010. Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Executive Meeting Center, Rockville, MD. Author Guest of Honor: Connie Willis, Ann VanderMeer, & Jeff VanderMeer. Where reading is not extinct! Small, relaxed literary convention usually focusing on short fiction.
  
  
• World Fantasy Convention: October 28-31, 2010. Hyatt Regency, Columbus, OH. Guests of Honor: Dennis McKiernan, Esther Friesner, David Hartwell, & Darrell K. Sweet. Annual gathering (almost a reunion) of professionals, collectors, and others interested in the field of Light and Dark Fantasy art and literature.
  
  
• Euro Quest: November ?-?, 2010. Holiday Inn, Timonium, MD. A unique blend of tournaments and open gaming.
  
  
• Anime USA: November ?-?, 2010. Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arglinton, VA. Guests: Musical acts, voice actors, artists, & webcomic creators. Focuses on anime, manga, etc.
  
  
• Darkover Grand Council Meeting: November 26-28, 2010. Crowne Plaza Baltimore, Timonium, MD. Guests of Honor: Elizabeth Bear; Artist Guest of Honor: TBA; Special Guest: Katherine Kurtz; Musical Guests of Honor: Clam Chowder. Darkover now has a Game Room. This is a very GLBT-friendly convention!
  
  

2011 Conventions

• Renovation (Worldcon, the World Science Fiction Convention): August 17-21, 2011. Reno, Nevada. Guests of Honor: Ellen Asher (Editor), Tim Powers (Author), Charles N. Brown (Editor/Publisher), Boris Vallejo (Artist); Special Guests: Tricky Pixie (Music). Bringing together people, both professionals and fans, from all over the world who have an interest in science fiction and fantasy; the emphasis is on the literary side, but all other forms (film, television, cmoics, etc.) are included.
  
  
• World Fantasy Convention: October 27-30, 2011. Town & Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, CA. Guests of Honor: Neil Gaiman & Shawna McCarthy; Toastmaster: Connie Willis. Annual gathering (almost a reunion) of professionals, collectors, and others interested in the field of Light and Dark Fantasy art and literature.