Online Registration is Open for the Seattle Worldcon Masquerade!
While there were antecedents, fannish costuming and the modern world of cosplay had its seminal founding moment when Myrtle Douglas and Forrest Ackerman wore futuristic costumes based on the film adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel Things to Come to Nycon I, the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. The masquerade is now a staple of every Worldcon, and is the feature mainstage event on Friday evening of our convention. Online registration for the Seattle Worldcon Masquerade, along with complete masquerade rules, is now available on the Seattle Worldcon Masquerade Page, where you can register to compete as a master, journeyman, or a novice costumer. Regardless of your skill level or experience, all are welcome to participate and experience this premiere costuming event.
Other Cosplay Opportunities at Seattle Worldcon!
But there’s much more to costuming at Seattle Worldcon than just the masquerade! Cosplay is always welcome in our halls. We welcome your creativity, so plan ahead and pack accordingly! Special costume-themed events will occur each day:
Announcing the Prop Contest!
Show off your ingenuity and crafting prowess, or just come to be to be amazed by your peers! The Prop Contest has two categories: Prosthetic Devisions and Hand-Held Devices. No weapons though! Check out the full rules on the webpage and you can bring your devices on Wednesday to the event. No preregistration required!
The Single Pattern Contest
On Thursday, don’t forget about the Single Pattern Contest! Make a bowling shirt or 1960s-style dress using one of the specified patterns and dress it up for competition. Judging occurs on Thursday, and winners will be shown Friday at halftime at the masquerade. The website has been updated with contest rules.
The Seattle Worldcon Masquerade
This is on Friday! Read about how to enter above.
Theme Day: Emerald City in the Atomic Age
Saturday is retro future fashion day at Worldcon! Fresh with inspiration from the masquerade, wear your retro-futuristic finest to con on Saturday. Participants will be welcomed to a group costume meetup and photo at in the Signature Lobby. If you like, keep wearing your retro future fashion to the Hugo Award Ceremony that evening!
Every Day: Earn a Hall Costume Ribbon
When you roam the halls of the Convention Center in your finery, you will not only be appreciated, you may be presented with an individualized hall costume recognition ribbon.
And More!
- Marvel at a curated exhibit of amazing costumes on display with Special Exhibits. Photography is allowed, but please save your touching for a separate “tactile” display of close-up costume bits and accessories.
- Visit our cosplay and costume repair station beside the Worldcon Cantina with tools, supplies, and help if you need it from costume experts.
- Enjoy panels throughout the weekend in our costume track geared towards all levels of interest and experience. Sign up for a hands-on workshop and learn and new craft to up your costuming game!
- Visit the the Dealers’ Room to find amazing pieces for purchase that are ready-to-wear.
Site Selection Voting is Open
Site Selection voting to determine the site of the 2027 Worldcon is now open. Members who purchase a voting token will receive a WSFS membership in the 2027 Worldcon. Voting may occur electronically, by mail, or in person at Seattle Worldcon, and closes on . Full details which also contain step-by-step instructions for voting are available on the webpage.
48 Items of Business! The First Virtual Business Meeting Session is
A reminder—the first Virtual Business Meeting session of the 2025 Worldcon begins at 9 a.m. Pacific Time on July 4. There are Test Your Tech Sessions on at – and – to make sure your system is configured properly to participate. The Business Meeting Agenda (1 MB pdf) with current-year proposals and reports and Virtual Meeting Instructions is available on the web page. Need an overview? Watch the replay of our Business Meeting Town Hall. All attending members and virtual attending members of this Worldcon are welcome to participate and build the future of the World Science Fiction Society—which consists of all the members of this Worldcon! See you there.
Fan Tables, Dealers’ Room Vendors, and Art Show Participants Posted!
Seattle Worldcon has posted lists of participating fan tables, dealers’ room vendors, and art show participants on its website, complete with short bios, images, and weblinks. Head over for a preview of some of the great things you’ll be seeing in the Exhibit Hall –.
Tea, Earl Gray, Hot. With a Crumpet.
The Fringe schedule is close to complete, with the addition of several new activities. To start your day, join us for Mornings at the Market, a stroll to The Crumpet Shop, or other Pike Place Market eateries, for breakfast and your choice of caffeine any (or every!) morning from –.
Perhaps after a day checking out the Space Needle, the Museum of Popular Culture, Seattle’s waterfront, or whatever else you want to explore, you may want to come down to Pioneer Square for a tour of Seattle’s hidden Underground. Afterwards, kick back and enjoy a beer and a beautiful sunset vista at Old Stove Brewing Co. in Pike Place. During con on , you can walk 3.5 blocks from the Summit to the ACT Theater to check out the one-day independent ConCurrent festival. RSVP for all these and other activities promoted through Fringe and meet up with the Worldcon crew!
Check out the webpage for the full schedule of Fringe events. You can also add every Fringe event straight to your Google Calendar.
If you have an hour here or there to volunteer to help your fellow Worldcon attendees find one another and their way to Fringe activities, please apply to volunteer and mention Fringe, or contact fringe@seattlein2025.org.
No Chesley Award Ceremony at Worldcon
The Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists has informed us that due to unforeseen circumstances, the Chesley Awards will not be presented at Seattle Worldcon 2025. For updates and information about the Chesley Awards, visit the ASFA webpage.
The Community Fund Needs Your Help—We’re Almost Out of Funds
The Community Fund has helped bring fans from underserved and marginalized communities to Worldcon. But right now, the fund is nearly empty. We still have applicants hoping to attend this year’s convention, and with your support, we can help make that happen. Every donation, no matter the size, goes directly toward covering costs like travel, lodging, and registration for attendees who wouldn’t otherwise be able to join us. Let’s come together to make Worldcon welcoming and accessible to all. Donate today!
Thank you for being part of this community, and for making a difference.
Check Out Film Listings for the Seattle Worldcon Film Festival
The Film Festival webpage has been updated with images and descriptions of the 74 films that have been selected to be shown in the Seattle Worldcon 2025 Film Festival, a combination of feature-length and short films. Many have trailers. A listing of film blocks is provided. The film festival will screen films from –
The film festival received over 180 entries from 33 countries. We intentionally embrace and foster new voices in speculative fiction, including those of BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ film creators. Submission fees were waived for BIPOC and women directors, with over 50% of our submissions coming from these sources.
Traffic Headaches in Store
A word to the wise—we have learned that full lane closures are planned on northbound I-5 from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street on –, overlapping the last three days of Worldcon and the following Monday. This may pose challenges and delays for daily convention commuters approaching from the South. The airport is south of the convention center, so travel time from the convention center to the airport may not be appreciably affected (and the best route for this is on light rail). However, it will be best to minimize driving in personal vehicles during this time, or to allow an additional margin of safety to get to your destination.
Dropoff Childcare Arrangements Finalized—Take your Worldcon Kids to Space Explorer Camp!
Seattle Worldcon has contracted with KiddieCorp to provide dropoff childcare services for children aged six weeks though 12 years of age. Advance registration is encouraged, and services will cost $10/hour, per child. KiddieCorp is a professional organization which specializes in childcare for conventions and conferences, and offers a variety of activities based on the children’s ages and interests. They have a long-term relationship with U.S. Worldcons and provided childcare services at Chicon 8. The theme this year is Space Explorer Camp! For more information, and to find the reservation link, visit the Kids & Teens page of our website.
Come work with us!
Volunteer positions are currently available and many more will be opening up as the convention approaches. Let us know you are interested by filling out the volunteer form early! Keep an eye on this page as more roles become available.
Reminder: Virtual Business Meeting Dates and Times
As previously announced, the main sessions of the WSFS Business Meeting will be held virtually before the convention this year, at the following dates and times (Pacific Daylight Time):
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More information about the business meeting may be found on the website.