Online/Virtual Events

With so many conventions and festivals being cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, some organizers are planning virtual events through online channels such as Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom. These include replacements for cancelled events as well as new initiatives. On this page, you will find listings of upcoming events, plus archived, recurring, and ongoing events.

If you’re aware of any online events that include substantial steampunk programming, let us know using the contact form. Please include a link and brief description, and indicate if you’re one of the organizers..

May

ConQuesT

A science fiction and fantasy convention held annually in the Kansas City area. The 2021 convention will be virtual. Guests include authors Becky Chambers and Dan Wells, and artist Toni L. Taylor.

When: May 28 - 30, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

Balticon 55

A free virtual convention held in place of a live gathering produced by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS).

Special guests include Seanan McGuire, Alyssa Winans, R.F. Kuang, and Arkady Martine. BSFS presents the Compton Crook Award for best first novel in science fiction, fantasy or horror.

When: May 28 - 31, 2021. Links: Website

FanimeCon

An online version of an anime convention billed as being “by fans, for fans.”

From the organizers: “This will be unlike any convention that we have planned before. We are tailoring many of our traditionally in-person events to fit a virtual audience.”

When: May 28 - 31, 2021. Links: Website

WHOlanta Virtual Tardis 2021

WHOlanta describes itself as “an annual Doctor Who and British media and culture convention in Atlanta.” This year’s event will be virtual. The organizers promise “a full day of guests, fan panels, and special events, all streaming live on our Facebook page and our YouTube channel.” The program will also include a Virtual Masquerade.

When: May 29, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

Kawaii-Kon Online

Anime and comics convention. This year, the organizers will host an online event in May on Twitch. That will be followed by an in-person convention in November.

When: May 29 - 30, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

June

ConCarolinas

A science fiction convention held in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2021, this will be a hybrid virtual/in-person event. Author Guests of Honor for 2021 include Maurice Broaddus.

Virtual membership costs $20 and provides access to all live streamed content, as well as one-year access to recorded content. Musical performances will be live streamed but might not be recorded. Virtual content will also be available on a per-event basis at prices ranging up to $2.99, but won’t be available for future viewing. In-person pre-registration costs $40 for the full weekend.

When: Jun 4 - 6, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

SFWA Nebula Virtual Conference

An annual event presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. This year’s edition will be virtual. You need not be an SFWA member (or even an author) to participate. Highlights include presentation of the Nebula Awards.

When: Jun 4 - 6, 2021. Links: Website

Steampunkin’ Around the World

An online steampunk convention from the Society for the Ethical Treatment of Kraken. The program includes a concert by Victor Sierra and a performance by Victorian Horror Troupe Phantasmagoria. It will also feature authors and a mummy unwrapping.

When: Jun 12, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

Transmissions from The Aether

A virtual event from the organizers of Clockwork Alchemy, the largest steampunk convention in Northern California.

When: Jun 12 - 13, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

July

Westercon 73

An online version of a science fiction convention that normally rotates among cities in the Western U.S. “Westercon 73 will be offering a film festival, filking, and all the programming that can be managed effectively in an online format,” states convention chair Gene Armstrong. “As Westercon 73 has moved online many traditional volunteer positions won’t be needed for this event; instead, there’s a major need for moderators for panels.”

Scheduled Guests of Honor include David Brin (Writer), Ethan Siegel (Science), Rob Carlos (Artist), Jeff and Maya Bohnhoff (Music), and Kevin Roche & Andrew Trembley (Fans).

Memberships cost $35.

When: Jul 1 - 4, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

[email protected]

A virtual convention from the producers of San Diego Comic-Con. Programming includes panels with celebrities and creators.

When: Jul 23 - 25, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

Costume College

This annual conference is produced by Costumer’s Guild West. “We offer lectures, workshops and demos on all things costuming: from general sewing (pattern grading, setting sleeves, etc.) to historical construction methods (corsetry, petticoats, etc.) to time period overview classes to science fiction/fantasy costume construction.” the website says. This year’s event is online.

When: Jul 30 - Aug 1, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

August

CrunchyRoll Expo

A virtual anime convention.

When: Aug 5 - 7, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

September

Virtual CoKoCon 2021

A science fiction/fantasy convention held annually over Labor Day weekend in the Phoenix metro area. The 2021 convention will be virtual.

When: Sep 3 - 6, 2021. Links: Website

December

DisCon III

The 79th World Science Fiction Convention, aka DisCon III, is a major event for fans, authors, and artists in science fiction and fantasy. This year’s convention will be largely in-person, but will also include virtual programming. Virtual memberships start at $75.

When: Dec 15 - 19, 2021. Links: Website | Facebook

Ongoing

British Steampunk Broadcasting Co-operation is a Facebook group that provides info about streaming performances by artists in the UK.

COGS Market is a virtual marketplace on Facebook for artisans and other vendors set to appear at COGS Expo.

Con Online is a free online anime convention based open source software. It includes sections for dealers, artists, and cosplayers. The open source software is available on GitHub. The app was developed by AnimeCon.org, which produces anime conventions in Minneapolis, Chicago, and the Quad Cities area of Iowa.

Concellation 2020 is a virtual science fiction/fantasy convention in the form of a Facebook group. It includes event listings and three sub-groups: The Dealer’s Room, The Artist’s Gallery, and The Masquerade.

Digital Ren Faire is a virtual Renaissance Faire with livestreams on Facebook.

Faire Relief 2020 is a Facebook group for attendees, vendors, and entertainers at Renaissance festivals and similar events such as Celtic and pirate festivals. It serves as an online marketplace for vendors and entertainers who have lost business due to cancellation of these events. If you want to list products, you must demonstrate that you’ve been a vendor at these types of events.

Virtual Burning Man is a project from the organizers of the Burning Man festival. It includes links to Burning Man-related videos and info on how to participate in virtual experiences.

Virtual Steam Con is an ongoing steampunk convention in the form of a private Facebook group. Members are invited to “post pics of yourself, ask questions, say things here that you would say at a con, and post maker videos.” It’s led by steampunk makers Wheeler Stone, Stephen Chapman, and Brian Fadrosh. Stone and Fadrosh also organize the Key City Steampunk Festival in Pennsylvania.