MarsCon in

Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach (colloquially VB) is the most populous city in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. The city is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in southeastern Virginia. It is the sixth-most populous city in the ...

is a mid-sized regional

science fiction convention 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 ex ...

founded in 1990. The convention provides a relaxed environment for people who enjoy

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

to meet new friends and talk about their interests. The convention has been described as "the largest and longest-running science fiction/fantasy convention in the Tidewater area."

History

The history of MarsCon begins with an earlier convention known as ''Sci-Con'', a well established, general science fiction convention in

. In 1990 the people who worked every year to bring Sci-Con together held a low key '' relaxicon'' or "relaxing convention" for its members. After the first year, this new convention was re-christened MarsCon in honor of a long-standing fake bid to host the

World Science Fiction Convention Worldcon, officially the World Science Fiction Convention, the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), is a science fiction convention. It has been held each year since 1939 (except for the years 1942 to 1945, during Wor ...

on the planet

Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...

in 2095. With a focus on relaxation and camaraderie, MarsCon hosts a variety of convention activities including panel discussions and workshop activities, gaming (including

role-playing game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, or abbreviated as RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out ...

s, and card games), a video room with

anime is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...

, a dealers room, annual tea party, auction for charity, and an art show.

Conventions

Upcoming

*MarsCon 2026: Secrets and Scales will be held January 16–18, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach - Norfolk in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Author Lisa Shearin will be the guest of honor; Keegan Eichelman will be the YA/Lit RPG Guest of Honor; Connie Vogelmann will be the Gaming Guest of Honor.

Past

*MarsCon 1996 was held January 12–14, 1996, at the George Washington Inn in Williamsburg, VA. *MarsCon 1997 was held January 10–12, 1997, at the Ramada Inn Historic (formerly the George Washington Inn) in Williamsburg, VA. *MarsCon 2002 was held January 11–13, 2002, at the former Ramada Inn and Conference Center in Williamsburg, VA. $1800 was raised for the Heritage Humane Society. Additionally, the Con Suite Bean Jar also raised $87 for the Police and Firefighter's 9-11 fund. *MarsCon 2003 was held January 24–26, 2003 at the Clarion Hotel (formerly the Ramada Inn), Williamsburg, VA. *MarsCon 2004 was held January 23–25, 2004 at the Clarion Hotel, Williamsburg, VA. The convention raised $1875 through the charity auction for the Heritage Humane Society. *MarsCon 2005 was held January 21–23, 2005 at the Clarion Hotel, Williamsburg, VA. The US Military had booked rooms at the hotel and, due to a shift in scheduling, the hotel cut the 300 room block it had promised to the Con. The convention raised over $2000 for the local Heritage Humane Society. *MarsCon 2006 was held January 20–22, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg, VA. *MarsCon 2007 was held January 19–21, 2007, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg, VA. *MarsCon 2008 January 18–20, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg, VA. *MarsCon 2009 was held January 16–18, 2009, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg. The convention's theme was "

steampunk Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retrofuturistic technology and Applied arts, aesthetics inspired by, but not limited to, 19th-century Industrial Revolution, industrial steam engine, steam-powered machinery. Steampun ...

" and author

John Ringo John Ringo (born March 22, 1963) is an American science fiction and military fiction author. He has had several ''New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York ...

was the guest of honor. Other notable guests included writer and publisher

Toni Weisskopf Toni Weisskopf (born Antonia Katherine Flora Weisskopf on December 12, 1965) is an American science fiction editor and the publisher of Baen Books. She has been nominated four times for a Hugo Award. She has won the Phoenix Award, the Rebel Awa ...

, artist and author Ron Miller, game designer

Steve Long "Big" Steve Long (died October 28, 1868) was an American law enforcement officer and outlaw, achieving notoriety in the Wyoming Territory during the late 1860s. He was one of the earliest examples of an Old West gunman. Because of their lawlessn ...

, and members of the

501st Legion The 501st Legion is an international fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of screen-accurate replicas of Imperial stormtrooper armor, Sith Lords, clone troopers, bounty hunters, and other villains from the ''Star ...

. *MarsCon 2010 was held January 15–17, 2010, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg. The convention was the focus of the January 19, 2010, edition of ''The Adventures of Cynical Woman''

webcomic Webcomics (also known as online comics or Internet comics) are comics published on the internet, such as on a website or a mobile app. While many webcomics are published exclusively online, others are also published in magazines, newspapers, or ...

. *MarsCon 2011 was held January 14–16, 2011, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg. Notable guests included author

Jim Butcher Jim Butcher (born October 26, 1971) is an American author., He has written the contemporary Fantasy literature, fantasy ''The Dresden Files'', ''Codex Alera'', and ''Cinder Spires'' book series. Personal life Butcher was born in Independence, M ...

, author Shannon Butcher, artist

Ursula Vernon Ursula Vernon (born May 28, 1977) is an American freelance writer, artist and illustrator. She has won numerous awards for her work in various mediums, including Hugo Awards for her graphic novel '' Digger'', fantasy novel '' Nettle & Bone'', an ...

, cartoonist

Rob Balder Robert T. Balder is a professional cartoonist and singer-songwriter. He graduated from Roanoke College with a major in English in 1993 and, after a variety of jobs, entered a seven-year career in IT, starting as a manager of database development ...

, writer Keith R. A. DeCandido, and author Andrew Fox. Convention attendance was estimated at 983 members with at least $2500 raised for the Heritage Humane Society, the event's designated charity. *MarsCon 2012 was held January 13–16, 2012, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg. The convention's theme is "It's the end of the MarsCon as we know it",

playing Play is a range of Motivation#Intrinsic and extrinsic, intrinsically motivated activities done for recreation. Play is commonly associated with children and juvenile-level activities, but may be engaged in at any life stage, and among other high ...

off both the " Mayan apocalypse" predicted by some for 2012 and the

R.E.M. R.E.M. was an American alternative rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. One of the fir ...

song "

It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" is a song by American Rock music, rock band R.E.M., which first appeared on their 1987 album, ''Document (album), Document''. It was released as the album's second music single, single ...

". MarsCon 2012 raised close to $3000.00 for The Heritage Humane Society. *MarsCon 2013 was held January 18-20, 2013, at the Crowne Plaza Williamsburg at Ft. Magruder, Williamsburg, Virginia. The convention's theme was "Rebirth". Over 1,000 attendees joined MarsCon. *MarsCon 2014: A Twisted Fairy Tale was held January 17–19, 2014, at the Fort Magruder Hotel and conference Center. Notable guests included author

Jim C. Hines Jim C. Hines (born April 15, 1974) is an American fantasy and science fiction writer. Life and work Hines was a volunteer crisis counselor in East Lansing and worked as the Male Outreach Coordinator for the Michigan State University, MSU Safe ...

and author Carrie Ryan. The convention raised more than $5,000 for the Heritage Humane Society, the event's designated charity. *MarsCon 2015: 25 Shades of MarsCon was held January 16–18, 2015, at the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center. This is the 25th anniversary for MarsCon. Some of our favorite former guests (shades of conventions passed) will be returning, including

David Weber David Mark Weber (born October 24, 1952) is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He has written several science-fiction and fantasy books series, the best-known of which is the Honor Harrington science-fiction series. His first nov ...

Katherine Kurtz Katherine Irene Kurtz (born October 18, 1944) is an American fantasy writer, author of sixteen historical fantasy novels in the '' Deryni'' series, as well as occult and urban fantasy. Resident in Ireland for over twenty years, she moved to Virg ...

, David B. Coe, and D.B. Jackson. The convention will once again be supporting our the Heritage Humane Society, the event's designated charity, with an auction on Saturday evening which raised $4305 for Heritage Humane. *MarsCon 2016: Sweet '16 Celebrating Women in Science Fiction was held January 15–17, 2016, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guest of Honor was

Ellen Kushner Ellen Kushner (born October 6, 1955) is an American writer of fantasy novels. From 1996 until 2010, she was the host of the radio program '' Sound & Spirit'', produced by WGBH in Boston and distributed by Public Radio International. Backgroun ...

. The convention once again supported the Heritage Humane Society, the event's designated charity, with an auction on Saturday evening. *MarsCon 2017: Year of the Dragon was held January 13–15, 2017, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were Todd J. McCaffrey (Writer), Ruth Thompson (Artist), Carla Brindle (Fan),

Mari Mancusi Mari Mancusi, sometimes credited as Marianne Mancusi, is an American author of middle grade young adult and new adult novels and former Emmy Award winning television news producer. Bibliography Blood Coven Vampires Series #''Boys That Bite'' ...

(YA Writer), Mikey Mason (Musical) *MarsCon 2018: Werewolves of MarsCon was held January 12–14, 2018, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were

Carrie Vaughn Carrie Vaughn (born January 28, 1973) is an American writer, the author of the urban fantasy '' Kitty Norville'' series. She has published more than 60 short stories in science fiction and fantasy magazines as well as short story anthologies and ...

(Writer), Tim Shinn (Artist), Julie Wall (Fan),

Maria V. Snyder Maria V. Snyder (born April 15, 1973) is an American fantasy and science fiction author best known for her ''Study Series''. Career Her first novel, ''Poison Study'', was published in October 2005, won the 2006 Compton Crook Award, and earned a ...

(YA Writer), The Blibbering Humdingers (Musical), Tonya Woldridge (Gaming) *MarsCon 2019: Land of the Faerie was held January 18-20th, 2019, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor this year were

Seanan McGuire Seanan McGuire (pronounced SHAWN-in; born January 5, 1978) is an American author and filker. McGuire is known for her urban fantasy novels. She uses the pseudonym Mira Grant to write science fiction/ horror and the pseudonym A. Deborah Baker to w ...

(Writer),

Catherynne M. Valente Catherynne Morgan Valente (born May 5, 1979) is an American fiction writer, poet, and literary critic. For her speculative fiction novels she has won the annual James Tiptree, Jr. Award, Andre Norton Award, and Mythopoeic Award. Her short ficti ...

(YA Writer),

Meredith Dillman Meredith Dillman is a fantasy artist and illustrator from Minnesota who specializes in fairies and fairy tale paintings. She has published multiple art books and illustrated the covers and interiors of art books and novels. Biography Training and ...

(Artist) and Valentine Wolfe (Musical). *MarsCon 2020: Rogues and Rebels was held January 17–19, 2020, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were

Scott Lynch Scott Lynch (born April 2, 1978) is an American fantasy author, best known for the ''Gentleman Bastard Sequence'' series of novels. His first novel, ''The Lies of Locke Lamora'', was purchased by Orion Books in August 2004 and published in June 2 ...

(Writer),

(Special),

Charles Urbach Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was " ...

(Artist), Leslye Penelope (YA Writer),

John Wick ''John Wick'' is an American media franchise created by Derek Kolstad. It centers on a neo-noir action thriller film series featuring titular character portrayed by Keanu Reeves. Wick is a legendary hitman who is reluctantly drawn back int ...

(Gaming) and Jonah Knight (Musical). Attendance - 1452. The convention, once again, supported the Heritage Humane Society with an auction (which raised $4039 with more coming in) on Saturday evening. *MarsCon 2021, scheduled for January 15–17, 2021, was cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns. *MarsCon 2022: Myths & Legends was held March 18–20, 2022 (postponed from January 14–16, 2022), at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were Peter V Brett (Writer),

Phillip Pournelle Phillip may refer to: * Phillip (Bob the Builder), Bob the Builder's character * Phillip (character), Wallace & Gromit's character * Phillip (Saliba), Lebanese Orthodox prelate * Phillip (given name), given name * Phillip (surname), surname * Phill ...

(Special), Kaysha Siemens (Artist),

(Special). Attendance - . *MarsCon 2023: Witches and Warlocks was held on January 13–15, 2023, at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach - Norfolk in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were

D. J. Butler David John Butler is an American speculative fiction author. His Epic fantasy, epic fantasy, flintlock fantasy novel ''Witchy Kingdom'' won the Dragon Awards, Dragon Award for Best Alternate history, Alternate History Novel in 2020. ''Witchy Wint ...

(Writer)
Chaz Kemp
(Artist)
Katie Cross
(YA Author). Attendance - approx 900. *MarsCon 2024: Marso's Monster Mayhem was held January 12–14, 2024, at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach - Norfolk in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Guests of Honor were

Larry Correia Larry Correia (; born 1977) is an American fantasy and science fiction writer, known for his ''Monster Hunter International'', ''Grimnoir Chronicles'', and ''Saga of the Forgotten Warrior'' series. He has authored or co-authored over 30 novels, h ...

(Writer), and Mera Rose (Costuming). Attendance - approx 800. The convention, once again, supported the Heritage Humane Society with an auction (which raised $3467). *MarsCon 2025: Galactic Empires & Epic Interstellar Legends (aka MarsCon 35) was held January 17–19, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach - Norfolk in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Guests were Christopher Ruocchio and

Cassandra Rose Clarke Cassandra Rose Clarke (born 1983) is an American author who writes speculative fiction novels. Education Clarke graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in English. She received a master's degree in creative wr ...

(co-Guests of Honor), Stephen Buonocore (Gaming Guest of Honor), Jake Clark (Artist Guest of Honor) and Alyssa Yeager (Musician Guest of Honor).

References

{{reflist, refs= {{cite news , work=Williamsburg Yorktown Daily , title=Fans - Not Geeks - Here for MarsCon 2009 , url=http://www.wydaily.com/local-news/1388-fans-not-geeks-here-for-marscon-2009.html , date=January 15, 2009 , accessdate=April 13, 2011 {{cite news , work=Williamsburg Yorktown Daily , title=W.Y.D.: What You'll Do, Jan. 16-18 , url=http://www.wydaily.com/blogs/wyd-what-youll-do/1387-wyd-what-youll-do-jan-16-18.html , date=January 14, 2009 , accessdate=April 13, 2011 {{cite news , first=Helen E.H. , last=Madden , work=The Adventures of Cynical Woman , title=ACW Episode 52 – My very adult weekend , url=http://www.cynicalwoman.com/2010/01/19/acw-episode-52-my-very-adult-weekend/ , date=January 19, 2010 , accessdate=April 13, 2011

External links

MarsCon official website
Science fiction conventions in the United States Recurring events established in 1990 Tourist attractions in Williamsburg, Virginia Conventions in Virginia 1990 establishments in Virginia Annual events in Virginia