Thank you for attending PHILCON 2023

Everyone worked hard to bring you a successful Philcon this year and we hope all had a good time. Registration will open for Philcon 2024 in January.

Principal Speaker Jonathan Maberry unable to attend Philcon 2023 due to illness

It is with deepest regret we announce that Philcon 2023’s Principal Speaker, Johnathan Maberry, will not be able to attend Philcon (November 17-19), due to an unexpected illness. The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society and the Philcon Committee thank you for your understanding. We look forward to inviting him in the future and promoting his work. In the meantime, we invite you to check out his many books and anthologies and his V-Wars Netflix series. Thanks again for your understanding and please join us in wishing him a speedy recovery.

News:

  • Additional Parking – Parking is available after 5:00 PM Friday at the Cooper Health Care Building lot, next door to the north and connected to the hotel parking lot, for the weekend.
  • The program schedule is now live at https://schedule.philcon.org. It will update as changes are made to the schedule throughout Philcon.
  • The 2023 COVID-19 Vaccination and Mask Policy has been updated. No change was made to the actual vaccinations or PCR testing requirements, but a clarification was made to make it easier to understand. The proof of vaccination section was revised to deal with the CDC no longer requiring issuance of vaccine cards.
  • The Young Writers Conference has announced it’s winners. See Young Writers Contest for more details.
  • Philcon 2023 T-shirt with Rob Carlos Philly-themed dragon art available for pre-order – See artwork and details and enter your order now!
  • Principal Speaker Announced: JONATHAN MABERRY, a New York Times bestselling author,
  • Rob Carlos selected as Philcon 2023 Artist Guest of Honor
  • Kelley Armstrong named as Philcon 2023 Special Guest
  • We now have a Fashion Show on Friday night at 8:30 PM, see Villainous Fashion Show for more details.
  • The Masquerade page was updated with information and entrant forms for Philcon 2023.
  • Registration is now open: Buy your membership now!
  • Hotel registration is open for both the regular (non-hospitality) and party (hospitality) blocks. Our room rate remains at $125.00 plus tax per night. See the hotel page to reserve your room.

Principal Speaker

JONATHAN MABERRY, Principal Speaker

Jonathan Maberry 

Artist Guest of Honor

Rob Carlos, Philcon 2023 Artist Guest of Honor

Rob Carlos

Special Guest

Kelley Armstrong Philcon 2023 Special Guest

Kelley Armstrong

In person at the Doubletree by Hilton, Cherry Hill, NJ

Currently, it is our intention to host an in-person Philcon at the Doubletree by Hilton, Cherry Hill, NJ.

Join us for the 86th anniversary of the world’s first and longest-running conference on science fiction, fantasy, and horror! Philcon 2023 will take place on November 17-19, 2023.

Started in 1936, Philcon features cutting-edge programming about literature, art, television, film, anime, comics, science, gaming, costuming and cosplay, music, and other topics of interest to fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. We will also have many other attractions, such as our awesome Art Show and Auction; a Vendors Room full of unique merchandise; a full-featured Tabletop Gaming room; our Writer’s Workshop (featuring professional authors and editors); Concerts; Dances, our Masquerade/Costume Competition, and more!

Vaccination and Mask Policy

1. Vaccination Against COVID-19 or a Negative PCR COVID-19 Test is Required

Everyone who is attending Philcon, in any capacity, must have had a COVID-19 booster vaccination or vaccination set on or after September 1, 2022 and before November 2, 2023.  This can be any form of COVID-19 vaccine including the original vaccines or any of the follow-on boosters.

As an alternative Philcon will accept proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours of picking up your badge at registration at the convention.

We acknowledge, with sadness, that individuals who cannot meet one of the two requirements below:

  1. Vaccinated as required by this policy.
  2. Supply proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test, as specified above.

will not be able to attend Philcon 2023.

For further information on being vaccinated and which are the approved vaccines, see: Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines on the CDC website.

2. Proof of Vaccination or Negative PCR COVID-19 Test

For those who are vaccinated: everyone, including committee and staff, must present proof of vaccination. This proof may be any of the following:

  1. A hard copy of proof, such as a vaccine card, a receipt from the vaccination site or pharmacy, filled prescription for the vaccine, a record from your health department or other government office, etc.) or a picture of any proof or app on your electronic device (including pharmacy prescription records).
  2. A copy of any of the above, which may be a photocopy or a picture on an electronic device.
  3. An app on your electronic device which shows proof of the vaccination, such as from a government agency, pharmacy, or Clear.

For those who are providing a negative PCR COVID-19 test: present a lab-issued proof of the negative result showing the lab name and the date administered. (This proof may be a photocopy of the original document, a picture of the original document on your electronic device or proof from the lab’s application.)

All persons age 18 and over must show official photo identification matching the name shown on the proof.

3. Mask Wearing is Strongly Recommended

Philcon strongly encourages everyone to wear an appropriate mask, such as KN-95 or better.

When you wear a mask remember that the mask must cover both the nose and the mouth.

4. Handwashing is Requested

We recommend that you thoroughly wash your hands several times a day.

5. Policy for People Who Previously Purchased Memberships

Notice of the vaccination and mask policy was posted on the Philcon website’s home, registration and policies pages on July 11, 2023. If you purchased your Philcon 2023 membership before that date, we will, upon written request, defer your membership(s) to a subsequent year or provide a refund.