This is a list of notable science fiction conventions , as distinct from anime conventions, comic book conventions, furry conventions, gaming conventions, horror conventions, and multigenre conventions.
In the "type" column, "general" means the entire science fiction and fantasy culture; "literature", "media", etc. modify that. Horror is indicated separately.
convention | city | country or region | type | website | most recent or next scheduled date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Åcon | Mariehamn, Åland | Finland | general | 2022-05-26 | |
Ad Astra | Toronto, Ontario | Canada | general | [usurped] | 2019-07-12 |
AggieCon | College Station, Texas | United States | general | 2023-03-03 | |
Albacon | Albany, New York | United States | general | 2022-09-16 | |
All-Con | Dallas, Texas | United States | general | 2023-03-16 | |
ApolloCon | Houston, Texas | United States | general | 2015-06-19 | |
Archon | St. Louis, Missouri | United States | general | 2024-10-04 | |
Arisia | Boston, Massachusetts | United States | general | 2023-01-13 | |
ArmadilloCon | Austin, Texas | United States | literature | 2021-10-15 | |
BabelCon | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | United States | general | 2012-10-12 | |
Balticon | Baltimore, Maryland | United States | general | 2023-05-26 | |
BayCon | Santa Clara, California | United States | general | 2022-07-21 | |
Boréal | Quebec City, Quebec | Canada | general | 2018-05-04 | |
Boskone | Boston, Massachusetts | United States | general | 2023-02-19 | |
BotCon | varies | United States | Transformers | 2022-08-25 | |
Bubonicon | Albuquerque, New Mexico | United States | general | 2023-08-25 | |
Capclave | Gaithersburg, Maryland | United States | general | 2023-10-01 | |
CAN-CON | Ottawa, Ontario | Canada | literature | 2022-10-14 | |
Capricon | Wheeling, Illinois | United States | general | 2023-02-02 | |
Chattacon | Chattanooga, Tennessee | United States | general | 2023-01-13 | |
CoastCon | Biloxi, Mississippi | United States | general | 2023-03-03 | |
Con†Stellation | Huntsville, Alabama | United States | general | 2015-10-16 | |
ConCarolinas | Concord, North Carolina | United States | general | 2023-06-02 | |
ConCoction | Cleveland, Ohio | United States | general, literature, media | 2023-??-?? | |
ConDFW | Dallas, Texas | United States | literature | 2019-02-15 | |
CONduit | Salt Lake City, Utah | United States | general, literature, media | 2015-05-22 | |
Conestoga | Tulsa, Oklahoma | United States | general | 2010-04-23 | |
Confluence | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | United States | general | 2022-07-29 | |
ConFusion | Detroit, Michigan | United States | general | 2024-01-19 | |
ConGlomeration | Louisville, Kentucky | United States | general | [ dead link ] | 2020-04-10 |
ConQuesT | Kansas City, Missouri | United States | general | 2023-06-02 | |
CONvergence | Minneapolis, Minnesota | United States | general | 2023-07-06 | |
Con-Version | Calgary, Alberta | Canada | general | 2010-10-15 | |
Comikaze Expo | Los Angeles, California | United States | general | 2014-10-31 | |
COSine | Colorado Springs, Colorado | United States | general, literature, science | 2025-01-24 | |
DeepCon | Fiuggi Fonte, Frosinone | Italy | general | 2023-03-16 | |
DemiCon | Des Moines, Iowa | United States | general | 2023-05-05 | |
Dimension Jump | Nottingham, England | United Kingdom | Red Dwarf | 2021-09-21 | |
Disclave | Washington, D.C. | United States | general | 1997-05-23 | |
Diversicon | Saint Paul, Minnesota | United States | general | 2023-07-14 | |
Dragon Con | Atlanta, Georgia | United States | general | 2023-08-31 | |
Eastercon | varies | United Kingdom | general | 2023-04-07 | |
EerieCon | Grand Island, New York | United States | general, horror | 2016-09-30 | |
Eurocon | varies | Europe | general | 2020-10-02 | |
Fan Expo (formerly Wizard World) | varies | United States | media | 2023-01-06 | |
Fanaticon | Dothan, Alabama | United States | general | 2019-10-06 | |
F.A.C.T.S. | Ghent | Belgium | general | 2023-04-01 | |
Fantasticon | Copenhagen | Denmark | general | 2023-06-02 | |
Farpoint Convention | Hunt Valley, Maryland | United States | general, media | 2023-02-10 | |
FedCon | Düsseldorf | Germany | general | 2023-05-26 | |
FenCon | Dallas, Texas | United States | general | 2022-09-16 | |
Festival fantazie | Chotěboř | Czech Republic | general | 2024-06-28 | |
Finncon | varies | Finland | general | 2023-07-07 | |
For the Love of Sci-Fi | Manchester | United Kingdom | general | 2023-12-02 | |
Gallifrey One | Los Angeles, California | United States | Doctor Who | 2023-02-17 | |
Gatecon | Vancouver, British Columbia | Canada | television series | 2022-09-01 | |
Gaylaxicon | Atlanta, Georgia | United States | general (LGBTQ+) | 2023-03-17 | |
Geek.Kon | Madison, Wisconsin | United States | general | [ dead link ] | 2015-08-21 |
GenCon | Indianapolis, Indiana | United States | general | 2023-08-03 | |
Générations Star Wars et Science Fiction | Cusset | France | Star Wars | 2023-04-29 | |
G-Fest | Rosemont, Illinois | United States | Japanese monsters | 2023-07-14 | |
Hal-Con | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Canada | general | 2024-11-08 | |
Hypericon | Nashville, Tennessee | United States | general | [ dead link ] | 2018-07-06 |
Icecon | Reykjavík | Iceland | general | 2020-11-06 | |
Icon | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | United States | general | 2015-10-16 | |
ICon festival | Tel Aviv | Israel | general | 2024-10-20 | |
I-CON | Hempstead, New York | United States | general | 2014-03-08 | |
InConJunction | Indianapolis, Indiana | United States | general | 2016-07-01 | |
JordanCon | Atlanta, Georgia | United States | general | 2018-04-20 | |
Lazy Dragon Con | McKinney, Texas | United States | general | 2008-07-18 | |
LepreCon | Phoenix, Arizona | United States | general | 2016-06-23 | |
Life, the Universe, & Everything | Provo, Utah | United States | academic | 2016-02-11 | |
Linucon | Austin, Texas | United States | general | 2005-09-30 | |
Lunacon | Rye Brook, New York | United States | general | 2016-03-18 | |
Maleyevka seminars | Saint Petersburg | Soviet Union/Russia | general, literature | 2015-04-23 | |
Marcon | Columbus, Ohio | United States | general | 2023-05-26 | |
MarsCon | Bloomington, Minnesota | United States | general | 2018-03-02 | |
MarsCon | Williamsburg, Virginia | United States | general | 2016-01-15 | |
MediaWest*Con | Lansing, Michigan | United States | general | 2015-05-22 | |
MegaCon | Orlando, Florida | United States | general | 2015-04-10 | |
Microcon | Exeter, England | United Kingdom | general | 2013-02-23 | |
MidSouthCon | Memphis, Tennessee | United States | general | 2015-03-20 | |
Midwestcon | Cincinnati, Ohio | United States | relaxacon | 2015-06-25 | |
MileHiCon | Denver, Colorado | United States | general | 2025-10-31 | |
Minicon | Minneapolis, Minnesota | United States | general | 2023-04-07 | |
MOBICON | Mobile, Alabama | United States | general | 2015-05-22 | |
MomoCon | Atlanta, Georgia | United States | general | 2015-05-28 | |
Multiverse | Atlanta, GA | United States | general | 2022-10-14 | |
MystiCon | Roanoke, Virginia | United States | general | 2016-02-26 | |
SFWA Nebula Conference | varies | United States | general | 2018-05-17 | |
NecronomiCon Providence | Providence, Rhode Island | United States | horror | 2024-08-15 | |
New Zealand NatCon | varies | New Zealand | general | 2019 | |
Nihon SF Taikai | Takamatsu, Kagawa | Japan | general | 2021-08-21 | |
North American Science Fiction Convention | varies | United States | general | 2014-07-17 | |
Norwescon | Seattle, Washington | United States | general | 2015-04-05 | |
Novacon | Nottingham, England | United Kingdom | general | 2015-11-13 | |
Octocon | Dublin | Ireland | general | 2015-10-10 | |
OryCon | Portland, Oregon | United States | general | 2024-10-18 | |
Outlantacon | Atlanta, Georgia | United States | general | 2015-05-08 | |
Penguicon | Southfield, Michigan | United States | general | 2022-04-22 | |
Philcon | Cherry Hill, New Jersey | United States | general | 2023-11-17 | |
Polcon | varies | Poland | general | 2015-08-27 | |
Pyrkon | Poznań | Poland | general | 2024-06-14 | |
RadCon | Pasco, Washington | United States | general | 2018-02-16 | |
RavenCon | Richmond, Virginia | United States | general | 2015-04-24 | |
Readercon | Quincy, Massachusetts | United States | literature | 2023-07-13 | |
Rhode Island Comic Con | Providence, Rhode Island | United States | general | 2018-11-02 | |
Sci-Fi Valley Con | Altoona, Pennsylvania | United States | general, horror | 2017-06-09 | |
Sci-Fi on the Rock | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada | general | 2015-04-24 | |
SFContario | Toronto, Ontario | Canada | general | 2018-11-16 | |
SFeraKon | Zagreb | Croatia | general | 2015-05-15 | |
ShadowCon | Memphis, Tennessee | United States | SCA | 2015-01-09 | |
Soonercon | Norman, Oklahoma | United States | general | 2022-06-24 | |
SpoCon | Spokane, Washington | United States | general | 2018-08-10 | |
Star Wars Celebration | Chicago, Illinois | United States | Star Wars | 2019-04-11 | |
Starbase Indy | Indianapolis, Indiana | United States | Star Trek | 2018-11-23 | |
STARFLEET International Conference | Niagara Falls, New York | United States | Star Trek | 2015-08-21 | |
Stellarcon | Greensboro, North Carolina | United States | general | 2013-03-01 | |
SwanCon | Perth, Western Australia | Australia | general | 2015-04-02 | |
Swecon | varies | Sweden | general | 2020-03-20 | |
TimeGate | Atlanta, Georgia | United States | Doctor Who | 2015-05-22 | |
Treklanta | Atlanta, Georgia | United States | Star Trek | 2016-04-15 | |
Trinoc*coN | Durham, North Carolina | United States | general | 2009-07-03 | |
TusCon | Tucson, Arizona | United States | general, horror | 2015-10-30 | |
UnCommonCon | Dallas, Texas | United States | general | 2000-11-24 | |
Unicon | Maryland | United States | general | 1989-07-16 | |
VCON | Lower Mainland, British Columbia | Canada | general | 2018-10-05 | |
Vericon | Cambridge, Massachusetts | United States | general | 2014-03-21 | |
Visions | Rosemont, Illinois | United States | Doctor Who | 1998-11-29 | |
Westercon | varies | United States | general | 2022-07-01 | |
WillyCon | Wayne, Nebraska | United States | general | 2017-03-31 | |
Windycon | Lombard, Illinois | United States | general | 2022-11-11 | |
WisCon | Madison, Wisconsin | United States | general | 2022-05-27 | |
WonderCon | Los Angeles, California | United States | general | 2023-03-24 | |
World Fantasy Convention | varies | varies | fantasy | 2023-10-26 | |
Worldcon | varies | world | general | 2023-08-16 |
Horror is a genre of speculative fiction that is intended to disturb, frighten, or scare. Horror is often divided into the sub-genres of psychological horror and supernatural horror. Literary historian J. A. Cuddon, in 1984, defined the horror story as "a piece of fiction in prose of variable length ... which shocks, or even frightens the reader, or perhaps induces a feeling of repulsion or loathing". Horror intends to create an eerie and frightening atmosphere for the reader. Often the central menace of a work of horror fiction can be interpreted as a metaphor for larger fears of a society.
William Francis Nolan was an American author who wrote hundreds of stories in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, and crime fiction genres.
Gene Rodman Wolfe was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He was noted for his dense, allusive prose as well as the strong influence of his Catholic faith. He was a prolific short story writer and novelist, and won many literary awards. Wolfe has been called "the Melville of science fiction", and was honored as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro is an American writer. She is known for her series of historical horror novels about the vampire Count Saint-Germain.
The World Fantasy Awards are a set of awards given each year for the best fantasy fiction published during the previous calendar year. Organized and overseen by the World Fantasy Convention, the awards are given each year at the eponymous annual convention as the central focus of the event. They were first given in 1975, at the first World Fantasy Convention, and have been awarded annually since. Over the years that the award has been given, the categories presented have changed; currently World Fantasy Awards are given in five written categories, one category for artists, and four special categories for individuals to honor their general work in the field of fantasy.
Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of the speculative fiction subgenre, science fiction. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as films, television, comics, animation, and games. The format can vary but will tend to have a few similar features such as a guest of honour, discussion panels, readings and large special events such as opening/closing ceremonies and some form of party or entertainment. Science fiction conventions started off primarily in the United Kingdom and the United States but have now spread further. Several countries have their own individual conventions, as well as playing host to rotating international conventions.
WisCon or Wiscon, a Wisconsin science fiction convention, is the oldest, and often called the world's leading, feminist science fiction convention and conference. It was first held in Madison, Wisconsin, in February 1977, after a group of fans attending the 1976 34th World Science Fiction Convention in Kansas City was inspired to organize a convention like WorldCon but with feminism as the dominant theme. The convention is held annually in May, during the four-day weekend of Memorial Day. Sponsored by the Society for the Furtherance and Study of Fantasy and Science Fiction, or (SF)³, WisCon gathers together fans, writers, editors, publishers, scholars, and artists to discuss science fiction and fantasy, with emphasis on issues of feminism, gender, race, and class.
Broad Universe is a United States-based, all volunteer organization with the primary goal of promoting science fiction, fantasy, and horror written by women. Writers, editors, publishers, reviewers, artists, and fans are invited to join them. "Broad-minded" men are welcome to participate. The organization originated in a panel discussion at WisCon, the feminist science fiction convention in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2000.
The Locus Awards are an annual set of literary awards voted on by readers of the science fiction and fantasy magazine Locus, a monthly magazine based in Oakland, California. The awards are presented at an annual banquet.
Janet Inglis "Janny" Wurts is an American fantasy novelist and illustrator. She has written several standalone novels and series, including the Wars of Light and Shadow, The Cycle of Fire trilogy and the internationally best-selling Empire trilogy that she co-authored with Raymond E. Feist. Her short story collection That Way Lies Camelot was nominated for the British Fantasy Award in 1995. She often illustrates her own books, and has won Chesley Awards for her artwork.
Gaylaxicon is a recurring science fiction, fantasy and horror convention that focused on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender topics. It has taken in various locations in the United States and occasionally Canada, often on the East Coast.
Locus: The Magazine of The Science Fiction & Fantasy Field, founded in 1968, is an American magazine published monthly in Oakland, California. It is the news organ and trade journal for the English-language science fiction and fantasy fields. It also publishes comprehensive listings of all new books published in the genres. The magazine also presents the annual Locus Awards. Locus Online was launched in April 1997, as a semi-autonomous web version of Locus Magazine.
Ellen Datlow is an American science fiction, fantasy, and horror editor and anthologist. She is a winner of the World Fantasy Award and the Bram Stoker Award.
James Raymond Frenkel is an American editor and agent of science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, and other books, formerly for Tom Doherty Associates. He has edited numerous prominent authors such as Vernor Vinge, Joan D. Vinge, Frederik Pohl, Andre Norton, Loren D. Estleman, Dan Simmons, Jack Williamson, Timothy Zahn, Marie Jakober and Greg Bear. His agency clients include John C. Wright and L. Jagi Lamplighter. He and his wife, author Joan D. Vinge lived in Madison, Wisconsin for many years, but have moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The following is a complete list of books published by Stephen King, an American author of contemporary horror, thriller, science fiction, and fantasy. His books have sold more than 400 million copies, and many of them have been adapted into feature films, television movies, and comic books. King has published 65 novels/novellas, including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman, and five nonfiction books. He has written over 200 short stories, most of which have been compiled in book collections. Many of his works are set in his home state of Maine.
Horror conventions are gatherings of the community of fans of various forms of horror including horror cinema, goth lifestyle, and occasionally science fiction and fantasy. Historically the focus has been on the cinematic form rather than literature and art, but this has broadened to include all forms in recent years. People in attendance at a horror convention are traditionally known as members of the convention; invited celebrities including film directors and stars are commonly known as guests of the convention, though many professionals including directors will simply attend as members.
Australia, unlike Europe, does not have a long history in the genre of science fiction. Nevil Shute's On the Beach, published in 1957, and filmed in 1959, was perhaps the first notable international success. Though not born in Australia, Shute spent his latter years there, and the book was set in Australia. It might have been worse had the imports of American pulp magazines not been restricted during World War II, forcing local writers into the field. Various compilation magazines began appearing in the 1960s and the field has continued to expand into some significance. Today Australia has a thriving SF/Fantasy genre with names recognised around the world. In 2013 a trilogy by Sydney-born Ben Peek was sold at auction to a UK publisher for a six-figure deal.
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction which involves themes of the supernatural, magic, and imaginary worlds and creatures.
Centipede Press is an American independent book and periodical publisher focusing on horror, weird tales, crime narratives, science fiction, gothic novels, fantasy art, and studies of literature, music and film. Its earliest imprints were Cocytus Press and Millipede Press.