Archon returns to Collinsville Oct. 3-5: ‘Con’ draws authors, artists, other creatives
Since 1977, Archon has brought authors, artists, other creatives, along with science fiction and fantasy fans, together for a weekend of professional development and fun.
Highlights of the weekend include over 200 panels featuring professional guests speaking on various subjects; scores of authors, artists and other creatives; a 10,000-square-foot dealers room; the Archon Art Show; open cosplay, four formal costume presentations and contests; two large board and card gaming rooms; nine filk concerts; and a lively late-night scene at its host hotel.
The weekend’s keystone event is the Archon Grand Masquerade (Saturday 8 p.m.), 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 the event has expanded its focus to include anime and will also hold a geek-themed car show in 2025.
Seven renowned Guests of Honor are also part of the Archon 48 event:
- Guest of Honor: Melinda M. Snodgrass, author and screenwriter (including Star Trek: The Next Generation)
- Artist: Alyssa Winans, 2025 Hugo Award winner
- Filk: Tim Griffin, educator, singer and songwriter
- Media: Carrie Savage, voice actor
- Fan: Tony Mast, fundraiser and party organizer
- Masquerade MC: Kevin Dulle, costumer and artist
- Toastmaster: Keith R.A. DeCandido, author, blogger and podcaster
Proceeds from the 2025 charity auction and commemorative pin sales will benefit Tenth Life Cat Rescue https://tenthlifecats.org. Archon 47 (2024) raised $3,000 for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (https://dsagsl.org/).
Event Details:
- Event: Archon 48
- Dates: Oct. 3-5, 2025
- Locations:
- Headquarters and sessions: Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Dr., Collinsville, IL 62234
- Event hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton, 1000 Eastport Plaza Dr., Collinsville, IL 62234 (adjacent to the Gateway Convention Center)
- Cost: Full weekend badge can be purchased for $75 at the door; daily, young adult, youth and children’s rates also available
- For more information:
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. Archon is an institutional member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Inc. and hosted The North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) in 2007 (Archon 31/TuckerCon).
