World Science Fiction Convention Returns to Los Angeles in 2026
The 84th World Science Fiction Convention, known as LAcon V, will take place in Los Angeles from August 27 to 31, 2026. This marks the fifth time the Worldcon has been held in Los Angeles. Author, illustrator, and independent publisher Sara Light-Waller will attend and appear on five panels.
LAcon V continues a tradition that began with the first Pacificon, held July 4–7, 1946. Hosted by the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS), Pacificon was the fourth World Science Fiction Convention and the first to occur after World War II. It is retrospectively known as LAcon I.
In 1946, fanzines served as a primary communication method among science fiction fans. Convention organizers used fanzines to share information and encourage attendance from across the United States. Professional magazines, including Astounding Stories, also supported promotion by publishing letters from organizers. The Pacificon program included lectures, an auction, a costume ball, and a banquet. Fanzine publishers produced a collaborative volume called the Pacifican Combozine, which featured artwork by Virgil Finlay.
Attendees and participants in 1946 included early science fiction writers and fans such as Clare Winger Harris, Bob Olsen, Wilson (Bob) Tucker, Ross Rocklynne, Guest of Honor A. E. van Vogt, and Bryce Walton.
At LAcon V in 2026, Sara Light-Waller will participate in panels on topics that include the Amazing Stories centennial, Women in Early Science Fiction and Fandom, and the roots of Science Fiction and Fantasy Art. Her presentations draw on ongoing research into the history of popular fiction, illustration, and publishing in the twentieth century.
This research forms the foundation of her work through Lucina Press, Flying Pony Studios, and her published books and articles. The focus remains on researching, preserving, and interpreting the creative traditions of pulp-era and early science fiction culture, with the goal of bringing overlooked authors, artists, and stories to contemporary audiences.
Sara Light-Waller’s complete LAcon V panel schedule is available on her website at SaraLightWaller.com.