Windycon 52: Sanctuary Among the Stars

Windycon 52, themed Sanctuary Among the Stars, will be held October 9-11, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago, 9300 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Rosemont, IL 60018.

Windycon is Chicagoland's longest running science fiction convention, organized by Illinois Science Fiction in Chicago (ISFiC). Attendance is usually around 1,000 members. At its core it is a literary-based convention, with an annual short story contest and a writer's workshop, plus programming from astrophysics and costuming to pop culture, an art show, and a vendors hall. After dinner, parties open on three hotel floors.

Chair of Windycon 52 is Austin "Alchemist" Regan.

Guests of Honor

Andrew E.C. Gaska, Tristian TrisRex Johnson, Jason Spisak, Mary Crowell, and Professor Diva.

Special Guests

Rick Heinz, Bill Higgins, Megen Leigh, Andrew Looney, Kristin Looney, Tom Smith, and Spinneret.

Registration and hotel

Online pre-registration is open through September 15, 2026. Pre-registration is online only. Adult full-weekend membership is $50 pre-registration and $70 at the door; youth membership (ages 13-21) is $40 pre-registration and $60 at the door. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday one-day memberships are also offered. Register at the official online registration page. Questions: [email protected].

On-site registration is in Gatwick on the International Level of the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago. Hours: Friday 12:00 PM-10:00 PM; Saturday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM-4:00 PM.

The hotel is a cash-free environment. Hotel contact: [email protected]. Complimentary 24-hour shuttle service runs to and from O'Hare Airport.