LAcon V is happy to present this guide to all of the major convention function locations and their hours of operation, as well as key events and program sessions, and finally, a Frequently Asked Questions list. Before you get started here, we recommend that you bookmark the following three pages in your browser, as they will be your guideposts throughout this year’s Worldcon: our Member Portal, plus our Program Guide and our very handy Dynamic Facilities Maps.
Need help getting to LAcon V? Check out the Venues & Directions page for where to go, and the Parking, Shuttles & Rideshare for what to do when you arrive in Anaheim.
Locations & Hours of Operation
Although this is not a comprehensive list of everything happening at this year’s convention, this list covers many of our major functions, special events and much more. You can find our complete schedule on our Program Guide, which is fully customizable with the various drop-down menus it provides.
Please note: ACC North is the Anaheim Convention Center North building, immediately to the north of the Hilton. Our events this year take place in the ACC North, the Anaheim Convention Center Arena, and the Hilton Hotel. There are no LAcon V functions in the Anaheim Marriott or in the large main building of the Anaheim Convention Center.
Updates to the Hours of Operation since the publication of the email version of our newsletter are noted below as Updated.
Fixed Functions
- Accessibility Services:
-
- ACC North: Plaza Level; Thursday-Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm; Monday 10:00am to 1:00pm.
- Hilton: Pacific Ballroom B; Thursday-Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm.
-
- Autographing: ACC North, Skybridge (Pedestrian Bridge); Thursday 12:00pm to 7:00pm; Friday 9:00am to 7:00pm; Saturday & Sunday 9:00am to 5:30pm; Monday 9:00am to 2:30pm.
-
- All autographs participants and times are in our Program Guide: select “Autographing” under the Format drop-down menu
-
- Children’s Program Room: Hilton, Palisades Room; Thursday 12:00pm to 6:00pm; Friday-Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm; Monday 9:00am to 4:00pm.
- Updated: Con Suite (Hospitality Suite): Hilton, Suite 5505; Thursday-Sunday 10:00am to 10:00pm; Monday 10:00am to 3:00pm
- Exhibits Hall, including: Dealers Room, Art Show, Artist Alley, Exhibits, Fan & Bid Tables, WSFS/Hugo Awards Displays, Site Selection, Guest of Honor Booths, Costume Displays: All located in the ACC North, 100 Level; Thursday 2:00pm to 6:00pm; Friday-Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm; Monday 10:00am to 4:00pm.
-
- Art Demos: ACC North, Room 263C on the second floor throughout the convention, not on the first floor
- Art Show Reception: Meet the Artists!: ACC North, in the Art Show; Friday 7:00pm
- WSFS Site Selection Booth: For site selection voting, Thursday-Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm; for conversions, Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday 10:00am to 4:00pm.
-
- Drop-Off Child Care: Check in at LAcon V Information in the Hilton (Pacific Registration Desk) for location; times are Friday-Sunday, 3:00pm to 11:00pm.
- Updated: e-Gaming: ACC North, Room 251; Thursday Noon to 10:00pm, Friday 9:00am to 10:00pm, Saturday 9:00am to 9:00pm, Sunday 9:00am to 7:00pm, Monday 9:00am to 2:30pm
- Updated: Game Library: Hilton, Laguna Room; Thursday 2:00pm to midnight; Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 9:00am to midnight; Monday 9:00am to 2:00pm
- Information Desks:
-
- ACC North: Plaza Level; Thursday-Sunday, 9:00am to 9:00pm; Monday 9:00am to 1:00pm.
- Hilton: Pacific Registration Desk; Thursday-Sunday, 11:00am to 10:00pm; Monday 11:00am to 1:00pm.
-
- Updated: Masquerade Registration Desk: ACC North, Plaza Level; Thursday & Friday only, 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
- MakerSpace: ACC North, 264 ABC; Thursday 12:00pm to 6:00pm; Friday-Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm; Monday 9:00am to 2:30pm.
- Press Office & Convention Newsletter: Hilton, Balboa A; Thursday-Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm; Monday 10:00am to 2:00pm.
- Registration Desk: Hilton, Pacific Ballroom B; Wednesday (early badge pickup) 10:00am to 8:00pm; Thursday-Sunday 8:30am to 8:00pm; Monday 8:30am to 2:00pm.
-
- Updated: Program Participant Check-In: Hilton Pacific Ballroom B on Wednesday 10:00am to 6:00pm or on Thursday & Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm; Program Ops office (Hilton, La Jolla Room) on Saturday & Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm and Monday 10:00am to 2:00pm.
- Hugo Finalist check in is also located in the Hilton Pacific Ballroom B room.
-
- Safer Spaces/Affinity Spaces: Hilton, Mezzanine 8/9/10/11/14 Rooms; all operate Thursday-Sunday 12:00pm to 1:00am; Monday 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
- Oasis Lounge: Hilton, Oceanside room: Thursday-Sunday, 9:00pm to 1:00am.
- Teen Lounge: Hilton, Oceanside Room; Thursday 12:00pm to 9:00pm, Friday & Saturday 10:00am to 6:00PM; Sunday 10:00am to 9:00pm; Monday 10:00am to 2:00pm.
-
- Teen Program: Hilton, San Clemente room all five days, see Program Guide for details
-
- Volunteers Desks:
-
- Hilton: Pacific Registration Desk; located here August 24-27 (during pre-con setup): Monday 2:00pm to 6:00pm; Tuesday 10:00am to 6:00pm; Wednesday 9:00am to 8:00pm; and Thursday 8:00am to 8:00pm.
- ACC North: Room 262C; located here August 28-31 during LAcon V: Friday-Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm; Monday 9:00am to 2:00pm
-
Major Events
- Opening Ceremony: ACC Arena, Thursday 7:30pm.
- Blood Drive for the SoCal Blood Bank: Front of the Hilton Hotel (look for the Bloodmobile), Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm
- Virtual CERN Tour, live from CERN Switzerland with ATLAS physicist Dr. Steven Goldfarb: ACC North, Room 255, Friday 9:00am
- LAcon V Film Festival: ACC North, Room 260AB, Thursday 11:00am to 10:00pm, Friday 11:00am to 10:00pm, Saturday 11:00am to 7:00pm, Sunday 11:00am to 7:00pm, Monday 11:00am to 2:30pm
-
- Film Festival Winners Block Screening: Monday 1:00pm to 2:30pm
-
- The 2026 LAcon V Masquerade: ACC Arena, Saturday 8:00pm.
-
- Masquerade Meetings for Contestants: mandatory pre-event, ACC Arena, Saturday 9:00am; post-event, Hilton, San Simeon A room, Sunday 12:00pm
-
- South Side Symphony: Anime Juke Jam, with Dr. Marcus Norris, Conducting: ACC Arena, Friday 8:00pm
- The 2026 Hugo Awards Ceremony: ACC Arena, Sunday 8:00pm
- Fan Fund Auction: Hilton, El Capitan Room, Sunday 1:30pm
- WSFS (World Science Fiction Society) Site Selection Business Meeting: ACC North, Room 252AB, Sunday 10:00am
- Closing Ceremony: Hilton, Pacific Ballroom D; Monday 3:00pm.
Special Programs & Events
- Guest of Honor & Special Guest Interviews & Events (all in the ACC North Room 255, unless otherwise specified)
-
- Barbara Hambly’s Birthday Tea Party: Hilton Pacific Ballroom C; Thursday 3:00pm (note: NOT on Friday as was noted in our email newsletter!)
- Stan Sakai: A Comics Legend in Conversation: Friday 10:30am
- Barbara Hambly: A Life in Fantasy, Mystery and History: Friday 12:00pm
- Dr. Anita Sengupta: From Star Trek to Sustainable Aviation: Friday 3:00pm
- Celebrating Friendship: Geri Sullivan: Friday 4:30pm
- Ditch Diggers: What Even is a Toastmaster? with Ursula Vernon: ACC North, Room 259; Friday 6:00pm
- Colleen Doran: Time in Storytelling: Saturday 12:00pm
- In Conversation with Ronald D. Moore: From Deep Space to Alternate Histories: Saturday 3:00pm
- Terese Mason Pierre Special Guest Interview: Saturday 4:30pm
- Tracey Baptiste Special Guest Interview: Sunday 10:30am
- Tim Kirk: A LIfetime of Imagination: Sunday 12:00pm
- Boldly Going: A Conversation with Tracy Drain: Sunday 3:00pm
-
- Dances (all in Hilton Pacific Ballroom A, except Shake It Off)
-
- Dublin 2029 Céilí, featuring Stepwise: Thursday 9:00pm
- The Middle Earth Ball: Friday 3:00pm
- DJ John Scalzi Discotheque: Friday 10:00pm
- Saturday Night Dance: Saturday 9:00pm
- Regency and English Country Dance: Sunday 4:30pm
- Shake It Off – Teen Dance Party: Hilton, San Clemente Room; Sunday 6:00pm
-
- Plays and Performances (all in Hilton Pacific Ballroom D)
-
- Policarpa: Apocalypse Sur Amerikkka: Thursday 3:00pm
- Root (Running Out of Time): The Play: Friday 4:00pm
- The Escape: A Confrontation on Four Scenes: Friday 7:30pm
- The Failure of the Century, staged reading: Saturday 1:30pm
- Remote (or Gallyvant’s Finale), staged reading: Sunday 10:00am
- Klingon Lifestyles – Live!: Sunday 1:30pm
- The Idiot’s Lantern: A SF/F Sketch Comedy Show: Sunday 4:30pm
-
- Concerts (all in Hilton Pacific Ballroom A)
-
- Select times on Thursday through Sunday; use our Program Guide, select “Concerts” in the Format drop-down menu
-
- Game Shows
-
- ACC North and Hilton, various locations on Thursday, Friday & Saturday; use our Program Guide, select “Game Shows” in the Format drop-down
-
- Table Talks
-
- Hilton (Sunset, Monterey and Salinas Rooms) as well as online throughout the convention; use our Program Guide, select “Table Talk” in the Format drop-down menu
-
- Readings
-
- ACC North (Rooms 252C, 254, 258, 260C, 261A) and Hilton (San Simeon B, Carmel, El Capitan, Malibu, Palisades Rooms) as well as online throughout the convention; use our Program Guide, select “Reading” in the Format drop-down menu
-
- Live Podcast Presentations
-
- ACC North, Room 259, throughout the weekend; use our Program Guide, select “Live Podcast” in the Format drop-down menu
-
- Gaming & Game Events
-
- Hilton, Capistrano A & B, San Clemente, Palisades and Laguna Rooms throughout the convention; use our Program Guide, select “Game” in the Format drop-down menu
-
- Meetups
-
- Select times on Thursday through Sunday; use our Program Guide, select “Meetup” in the Format drop-down menu
- First Worldcon Attendees Meetup: ACC North, Room 253C, Friday 3:00pm
-
- Site Tours and Other Fun
-
- LAcon V Convention Tours: Meet in Hilton Lobby, separate tours Thursday 10:00am and Thursday 4:30pm
- Art Show Docent Tours: ACC North, Art Show; Thursday 4:30pm with Richard Man; Friday 10:30am with Colleen Doran; Friday 3:00pm with Tim Kirk; Saturday 10:30am with Stan Sakai; Saturday 12:00pm with Vincent Di Fate; and Saturday 1:30pm with Jacqui Freas Baric.
- Artist In Residence Tour with Geri Sullivan: ACC North, Art Show, Friday 12:00pm
- Take a Stroll Through the Solar System Tour: Hilton, Palisades Room, Saturday 1:30pm
- Docent Tour of the Bellringer Exhibit with Jacob John White: ACC North, Exhibit Hall; Saturday 3:00pm
- Stroll With the Stars: Leisurely morning walks, meet in Hilton Lobby; Thursday 9:00am and Friday-Monday 8:00am; also, Morning Tai-Chi on Friday and Sunday at 9:00am
- Filk Circles: Hilton, San Simeon A; Thursday-Monday at select times; use our Program Guide, select “Filk Circle” in the Format drop-down menu
- Children’s Tours: We are hosting children’s tours through our Art Show, Dealers Room and Exhibits Hall, plus the Art Show Kids’ Choice Awards; use our Program Guide, select “Tours” in the Format drop-down menu
-
You can check with the LAcon V Information Desks at the ACC North and the Hilton if you are unable to find what you’re looking for.
LAcon V Frequently Asked Questions
I’m confused about what’s where. How do I start?
There will be a number of “Convention Tours” to address that very problem (see “Site Tours and Other Fun” in the previous section). There is also a First Worldcon Attendees Meetup on Friday at 3:00pm.
Also, see our Program Guide for times and locations. The Program Guide has the most up-to-date information about program offerings. If you sign in through your member portal, you can create your own individual schedule.
I need to get my badge. Where do I go?
All registration is in the Hilton, in Pacific Ballroom B. Hours of operation are in the Locations and Hours section above.
How do I find the list of sessions?
See the Program Guide. Note the filter options at the top of the list make searching for specific topics easier.
How do I find my people?
Search for ”Format: Meetup” in the Program Guide. There are 50 Meetups to choose from!
Is my favorite author doing autographs?
Search for ”Format: Autographing” in the Program Guide.
How do I get an autograph?
Autographing is on the Pedestrian Skybridge. Check the Program Guide under the author’s name to see if they have a scheduled session. You may bring up your own items to sign, or purchase in the dealer’s room (limit 3 items, unless author requests differently).
Too many interesting things are happening at once. What will be recorded so I can go back later?
See “Availability: Recorded” in the Program Guide.
I am interested in podcasting. How do I find sessions about that?
See “Area: Podcasting” in the Program Guide.
What science sessions are offered?
See “Tag: Science and Society” in the Program Guide.
What programming do you offer that is adults only?
Search for “Tag: Mature Content” or “Tag: Erotica” in Program Guide.
Where’s the party?
Search for “Format: Party” in the Program Guide. It will give you a list and tell you when and where.
How do I sign up for Table Talks?
Sign-ups will be an online process via the Member Portal. Sign ups for each day’s items close at 7pm PDT the day before. If you are on-site and need help, see either Info Desk. If you are online and need help, email virtual-support@lacon.
How do I sign up for Limited Space Workshops?
Sign-ups will be an online process via the Member Portal. Sign ups for each day’s items close at 7pm PDT the day before. If you are on-site and need help, see either Info Desk. If you are online and need help, email virtual-support@lacon.
What do you have for anime fans?
See the Program Guide, search for “Tag: Anime”. In addition, Friday night there will be a performance by South Side Symphony’s Anime Juke Jam. See www.lacon.org/southsidesymphony for more information.”
I’m a Star Trek fan. Is there something special for me?
See the Program Guide. There will be a special discussion, Star Trek is 60! at 1:30 Friday in ACC-N 255.
Are there dances?
See the Program Guide, search for “Format: Dance”.
Where will Worldcon be in the 2030s?
Come hang out with representatives from Texas in 2031, Nantes in 2032, Glasgow in 2034 Worldcon bids, as well as the Worldcon in Africa initiative and other bids and proto-bids to be announced. Saturday, 9 pm start time, 4 hour duration
How can I volunteer at LAcon V?
A Worldcon is run entirely by unpaid, volunteer staff. Seriously! For over 80 years it has been a convention created by and for fans, fueled by dedicated community servants. More than any other factor, that fact makes this event and this community special and unique, full of acts of creativity, profound quirkiness, and kindness which money literally cannot buy. That is why when you purchase an attending membership to Worldcon you receive a membership and not a ticket. You too can join this community of makers, doers, and shapers, whether by contributing a few hours before, during, or after the con as a Volunteer.
If you want to experience Worldcon more fully just visit the Volunteers Desk, beginning Monday August 24th in the afternoon at the Ballroom Level of the Hilton hotel. We will be there through Thursday, August 27th. After that, come find us in the Anaheim Convention Center North, Room 262C. We will make every attempt to fit you with the right experience! You will be asked to sign a waiver and if a minor, a parent or guardian will also be asked to sign. If you have any questions, email volunteers@lacon.org
I am attending virtually. Where do I find a list of online sessions?
The “Availability: Streamed” filter in the Program Guide lets you see everything that you can watch from your living room, whether it’s in San Francisco or Singapore. This includes things which need advance signup, like Table Talks and Workshops.
The “Environment: Virtual” filter shows items where all the people participating are doing so via computer.
The “Environment: In Person” filter shows items where the primary location for the item is in person. If you use it with the “Availability: Streamed” filter, you will see everything that is streaming out from physical spaces (11 program rooms and 3 stages!)
To see which items are available for not-in-person signup, use the “Environment: Virtual” and “Availability: Requires Signup” filters together.
See the Virtual Experience page for more information.
What is the WiFi Password for attendees?
Hilton: There is no public/attendee WiFi available in the Hilton convention space. There is free public WiFi in the lobby, and there is guest WiFi available on the sleeping floors which may or may not work in the convention spaces.
Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) North: There is free public WiFi available through SmartCity throughout the ACC. You will need to register with an email address to access it.
How do I get information about signing onto Discord?
Visit the LAcon V Discord page.
Where can I find information for items NOT on the schedule?
In the newsletter, usually published twice a day. It will be published online on the convention website and there is a tile in the Member Portal.
Where can I post information for items NOT on the schedule?
There will be a box at each Information Desk for people to put their submissions in. Newsletter (usually published twice a day) will pick them up and publish them.
Where are Academic Track Posters?
The academic poster session is 2 pm Sunday in ACC-North 257. See the Academic Track page for more information. The posters will be up in 257 throughout the convention for your perusal at any time.
Where are Freebies?
Plaza Level of the ACC North. See the Freebies page for more information.
I need help finding things, or I want more information about LAcon V.
There are two Information Desks, one in the Hilton and one in the Anaheim Convention Center North.
Do you need 9-1-1?
If yes, call them and then notify the Expedition Guides — order matters!
How do I report a violation of the Code of Conduct?
LAcon has a Listeners Team specifically to handle this kind of issue. Contact information for Listeners is on the back of every badge. See the Code of Conduct page for more specific information.
Where do I make a complaint or bring up an issue not involving the Code of Conduct?
Expedition Guides – people with purple sashes, or go to Coronado Room. See the Expedition Guides page for more information.
I’m having an emotional crisis. Who can I talk to?
BADASS Booth in the Dealers Hall. BADASS is a licensed mental health organization that offers free crisis intervention as well as therapy by Counselors and Therapists. If you need help getting to BADASS, find an Expedition Guide – people with purple sashes.
Where is Masquerade signup?
You are encouraged to signup online. See the Masquerade Participant Info page for more information. On-site signups will be at the Information Desk in the Anaheim Convention Center North.
Where will Masquerade photos be taken?
Official masquerade photos will be taken in the Masquerade Green Room. See the Masquerade Participant Info page for more information.
Where is ConOps?
Expedition Guides – people with purple sashes, or go to Coronado Room. See the Expedition Guides page for more information.
Where is the Film Festival?
260 ACC North. See complete list of films www.lacon.org/filmfestival for more information and consult the Program Guide for times.
Where and when are the Hugo Award ceremonies?
Sunday, August 30, 2026 at 8:00pm Pacific on the stage at the Anaheim Convention Center’s Arena, and streamed online. See the Hugo Awards page for more information.
Can I reserve a seat(s) for the Hugos?
No. Seating is first come, first serve. There will be early entrance for those with Accessibility needs, and some seats will be designated for them.
My friend needs accessibility seating and I don’t? Can I sit next to them even if the seat is marked for Accessibility?
Yes.
Where is the Program Ops desk?
- In person at the Program Ops office on the fourth floor of the Hilton in the La Jolla room and on the 200 Level of the ACC North in room 262A.
- Virtual Ops support is available for problems that affect more than one person with the streaming items or the Discord. It is in Lido B.
- Virtual Program Ops is for virtual panelists who have problems. They are only online.
- Email program@lacon.org or program-ops@lacon.org
- Use the Program-ops channel in Discord.
- For participants, call the phone number for Program Ops mentioned in your participant welcome letter and on fliers at the head table in each room.
Where is Site Selection?
Site Selection is in the 100 Level of ACC North. It is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Where and when are the various religious services?
- Meetup & Ritual: Pagan Genre Fans is Thursday at 9:00pm in Hilton Ventura.
- Shabbat Services are Friday at 7:30pm in Hilton Malibu.
- Christian Public Religious Observance is at 9:00am Sunday in Hilton Malibu.
- The Interfaith Room in the Hilton Mezzanine 9 is available for Muslim prayer times.
- Meetup for Muslim Genre Fans is on Sunday at 1:30pm in Hilton Santa Barbara.
What do you have about the XPRIZE?
See the XPRIZE page for more information.
Where is the CERN tour?
Streaming virtually and 255 ACC N at 9:00am Friday. See the CERN Virtual Tour page for more information.
Where can I find Accessibility Services?
Second floor lobby, Hilton, first floor lobby, Anaheim Convention Center North. See Accessibility for more information.
Where is Lost & Found?
Lost and Found will be at either Information Desk during open hours, then turned over to Expedition Guides in Coronado at night.
Is there child care available?
Yes, child care is available for children 1-12 from 3 to 11 PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, at the cost of $12/child/hour. See the Information Desk Desk or Expedition Guides for exact location to sign up. See the Child Care page for more information.
Where are the restrooms?
They are located on the map, or ask anyone with a purple sash (our Guides).
Where is the nearest ATM?
Main lobby of the Hilton Anaheim Hotel.
Where can I find a place to refill my water?
On every floor of the Hilton near the elevator.
Is there a drug store nearby?
See our Local Stores & Services Guide for information.
Where is the Press Office?
Balboa Room A.
I’m an author. How do I indicate that I would like to be available for an interview?
Authors can leave their cell phone numbers with the Press Office.
Will there be food trucks? Coffee carts?
Yes! There will be four food trucks on the plaza, scheduled by the Anaheim Convention Center. Details about the offerings of the food trucks and the days they will be available can be found on our Dining Options page.
There will also be two coffee carts in the ACC North.
Where is Peacebonding?
Go to the Coronado Room at the Hilton. See our Weapons Policy for more information.
Where do I get food?
See our Dining Options page for suggestions.
Can I tap to pay at the dealers tables?
Dealers will all have their own point of service payment systems; most are tap and pay these days if your card has a chip, and most cards do.
How does the art show bidding work?
- To bid on an item in the art show, you need to register in the art show to get a bidder number.
- Art show bidding is done by writing your name and bidder number on a bid sheet near the item you are bidding on. The last person on the sheet when the show (and bidding) closes on Saturday at 6pm is the winner.
- You definitely want to be there at 5:55pm if you are contesting a bid in a bidding war. There will be NO voice auction. All the action happens in the Art Show.
Do you have a blood drive?
The Blood Drive will be on Friday from 10am-6pm in the Bloodmobile which will be parked outside the Hilton. See the Blood Drive page for more information.
Do you have a charity auction?
Sunday August 30 at 1:30 pm PDT for the Fan Fund Auction in the El Capitan room. See the Fan Fund Auction page for more information.
If I can’t come tomorrow, can I access the virtual convention?
Yes. Attending members have full access to the virtual convention.
I purchased (fill in the blank) and can’t carry it on the plane. Can you ship it to me?
No, but the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center in either the Hilton or the Marriott may be able to help.
I forgot to bring copies of my handout. Where do I go?
The FedEx Office Print & Ship Center in either the Hilton or the Marriott.
My spouse is my Able-Bodied Assistant; do I have to pay for them?
No. Able-Bodied Assistants do not have to pay.
Are we doing COVID testing at LAcon V?
No.
Are you requiring face masks at LAcon V?
No.
