Archon 49

Archon, one of the region’s longest-running science fiction and fantasy conventions, returns to Collinsville October 2-4 for a weekend of guests, panels, cosplay, gaming, art, music, and fan community.

Archon will welcome back legendary science-fiction author Larry Niven, who has been honored with a Nebula Award, five Hugo Awards, four Locus Awards, and the Robert A. Heinlein Award with frequent collaborator Jerry Pournelle.

Weekend highlights include open cosplay, four formal costume presentations and contests, the Archon Art Show, over 200 panels featuring pro guests speaking on various subjects, scores of authors, artists and other creators, a 10,000 sq ft dealers room, two large board and card gaming rooms, 10 filk concerts, and a lively late-night scene at our host hotel.

The weekend’s keystone event is the Archon Grand Masquerade, where contestants take the stage to showcase their costumes in brief skits, musical numbers, or comedy routines. The Archon Crew creates a setting and mood with state-of-the-art LED lighting and full sound system.

Over the decades we have expanded our focus to include anime and will hold their second annual geek-themed car show in 2026.

Archon is pleased to announce six additional Guests of Honor:

• Guest of Honor: Award-winning author Fran Wilde

• Artist: Glass artist Joy Alyssa Day

• Filk: Hall of Fame singer/songwriter Tim Griffin

• Masquerade MC: Kevin Dulle, costumer and artist

• Toastmaster: Author David Mack of Star Trek fame

• Fan: Wyatt Weed, actor and filmmaker

Proceeds from the 2026 charity auction and commemorative pin sales will benefit The Megan Meier Foundation (www.meganmeierfoundation.org). https://www.meganmeierfoundation.org). Archon 48 (2025) raised $2500 for Tenth Life Cat Rescue (tenthlifecats.org). https://tenthlifecats.org).

Event Details:

• Event: Archon 49

• Dates/times: October 2-4

• Locations:

• HQ: Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Dr, Collinsville IL 62234

• Event hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton, 1000 Eastport Plaza Dr, Collinsville, IL 62234 (adjacent to the GCC)

• Cost: full weekend $75 at the door; daily, young adult, youth and children’s rates also available

• For more information

• http://www.archonstl.org

• http://www.facebook.com/archonstl

About Archon

Archon is presented by St. Louis Science Fiction, Ltd. It is an internationally known, highly regarded and well attended science fiction and fantasy convention. Archon is an all-volunteer organization, locally organized and locally staffed, and presented each year by St. Louis area science fiction and fantasy fans.

It includes internationally known media guests, scientists, writers, artists, merchandise dealers and performers and a world recognized Masquerade; its goal is to bring to St Louis -- and science fiction fandom everywhere -- a celebration of the imagination.

We are an Institutional Member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. and Host of The North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) in 2007 (Archon 31/TuckerCon).

Community event in Collinsville, MO 62234.