About Windycon

Windycon is Chicagoland’s longest running science fiction convention. Our attendance is usually around 1,200 members. This makes Windycon a more intimate event than the mega conventions. A large aspect of our convention is the time you can spend having great conversations with friends, panelists, and even the Guests.

The Windycon Big List: A Chronological History

Attendees are generally interested in a broad spectrum of science fiction and fantasy topics. This can include, but is not limited to: steampunk, dragons, fairies, robots, anime, zombies, pirates, ninjas, astrophysics, gaming, horror, space operas, urban fantasy, vampires, time travel, and cats.

At our core, we are a literary based convention. We have an annual Short Story contest and a Writer's Workshop, where seasoned authors and editors help aspiring writers with their works-in-progress.

However, programming covers a wide range of topics from astrophysics, to costuming techniques, to pop culture. The full program book, including a complete list of programming will be uploaded to our web site about 2 weeks before our event.

We have an Art Show and Dealers' Room where you can purchase all sorts of cool geeky items, just in time for the holidays! Being a smaller event, we support and encourage local artisans and crafts-people, so look for a lot of unique items you won’t find at the mega-conventions.

Unlike media conventions, or comic conventions, Windycon does not roll up its doors at 6pm. After dinner, the parties start opening their doors. Parties are hosted by other conventions, and social groups, to promote their clubs and events. Three floors of the hotel are set aside for the parties, which compete for various Best Party awards. The party floors become the social hub of the convention, where people go to socialize and show off their hall costumes.