World Fantasy Convention 2026

The World Fantasy Convention is the long-running annual gathering of fantasy and horror writers, artists, editors, publishers and readers, first held in 1975, and home of the World Fantasy Awards.

The 52nd World Fantasy Convention runs October 22–25, 2026 at the Oakland Marriott City Center in downtown Oakland, California, with the theme "Reimagined Identities & Fantastic Literature." Guests of Honor are authors Ted Chiang (Stories of Your Life and Others, Exhalation) and Stephen Graham Jones (The Only Good Indians), artist Stephanie Law (Shadowscapes Tarot), poet Linda D. Addison, publisher Bill Campbell of Rosarium Publishing, scholar and graphic novelist John Jennings and bookseller Greg Ketter of DreamHaven Books, with Jewelle Gomez (The Gilda Stories) as Toastmaster. Special guests are Peter S. Beagle (The Last Unicorn), Jaymee Goh, Cecelia Holland and Helene Wecker (The Golem and the Jinni). The weekend brings panels and readings, a dealers' room and bookfair, an art show and print shop, a mass autographing session and the World Fantasy Awards Banquet on Sunday.