Join us for the 61st annual Nebula Conference!

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) is excited to announce that the 61st Annual Nebula Awards Conference will be held in Chicago, IL from June 3-7—and we’re inviting you along for the ride today!

On May 1, 2026, our pricing goes up again, but for $275 USD today, you can secure your place with us for all our regular programming, which will be hosted at the tremendously accessible Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center, just two miles from O’Hare International Airport. And of course, you should consider joining us for the Nebula Awards Banquet and Ceremony – tickets are available below. Registration opens on the 3rd, and full programing starts bright and early on June 4.

Register now for this discount! Price increases are scheduled for  May 1 2026! Banquet tickets are available now! Hotel information can be found below under “More Information.”

Online tickets for 2026 are now available! The ticket for online attendance is now available. This ticket is only for the 2026 Conference!

New – Free Registration!

A ticket to the online Nebula Conference also gets you online attendance to the 10th Annual StokerCon – completely free! At StokerCon you can celebrate Linda D. Addison, one of this year’s inaugural Nebula Award Finalists for Best Poem, and a Guest of Honor at the 10th-anniversary event run by the Horror Writers Association.

Details will be sent to registrants. Enjoy two cons for the price of one!

Register Now

Buy Tickets now!

Join us for the conference – and the banquet, too! And consider donating to the Nebula Finalist Scholarship Fund, to help finalists come to a ceremony that is the highlight of many careers.

 

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More Information

Our photographer Kaitrin Acuna is offering professional headshots and fantasy-style portraits to Nebula attendees! For more information and to sign up, see her website here: https://www.kaitrinacuna.com/nebula

Sometimes called “the jewel of the Midwest,” and bordered by scenic Lake Michigan, Chicago is famous for its bustling music and comedy scenes, its diverse neighborhoods and restaurants, and its exciting historical and cultural attractions. It’s also home to many writers, and it’s especially notable as a home of comics art and slam poetry.

Public transit includes buses and a light rail system called the “L”, for elevated train, as many of the trains are on raised tracks. Near the Nebula Conference is the Blue Line, which will take you through the northern neighborhoods of Chicago into downtown. Google Maps is generally reliable at navigating the L and the bus system.

Between Nebula events, you might consider visiting some of the highlights of Chicago: walk along beautiful Lake Michigan, shop downtown’s Magnificent Mile, and taste the delights of the Midwest’s best Chinatown. If you want more specific recommendations, feel free to email office@sfwa.org – our Office Administrator Misha is a big fan of Chicago!

Crowne Plaza O-Hare

Located in the Rosemont, the Crowne Plaza Hotel is conveniently located near Chicago’s largest airport, O’Hare. The hotel hosts all Nebula events, so you won’t have to worry about transportation between any of them. 

The Crowne Plaza O’Hare also includes amenities such as multiple on-site eateries, a gift shop, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and a 24-hour business center.

Click here to register for the hotel with the Nebulas discount code!

The address of the hotel is 5440 North River Road, Rosemont, IL, 60018, US.

The banquet is a formal seated dinner with three courses. It transitions directly into the Nebula Awards Ceremony.

Four Course Dinner:
All meals will include:
  • Coffee and Tea
  • Bread and Butter
  • Cream of Potato Leek Soup
  • Classic Caesar Salad w/Cheese & Dressing on the Side
  • Flourless Chocolate Cake w/ Fresh Berries
Entrees:
  • Chicken Marsala with Roasted Red Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli
  • Pan Seared Alaskan Sole topped with Lemon Shallot Butter Sauce
  • Grilled Vegetables En Croute served with a light Red Pepper Tomato Coulis
All banquet ticket purchases include two (2) drink tickets usable at the cash bar for beverages of your choice, including soda, wine, beer, etc.

 

Imagine the excitement of being a finalist for a Nebula! For many, this is a huge milestone in their career, an acknowledgement of the work they’ve put in to hone their craft. Attending the ceremony in person is the one of the best ways to celebrate that moment. However, amazing talent doesn’t guarantee ample funds, and not all finalists can afford to travel to the Nebulas.

That’s where the Finalist Scholarship Fund comes in. Any finalist in need of assistance can apply to get help paying for travel and lodging so they can attend – and maybe win! – in person. We give as much as possible to each applicant, so the fund is depleted every year. Generous SFWA members and Nebula attendees help replenish the fund.

There would be no Nebulas without the talented, creative writers whose works we come together to honor. Please consider giving to the Finalist Scholarship Fund so we can honor them in person.

Prefer to sponsor a finalist’s banquet attendance? We also offer the option to donate a banquet ticket to cover a finalist’s meal prior to the ceremony. See tickets above for the listing!

SFWA is unable to issue refunds to the Nebula Conference. We will allow transfers to other interested parties. The transfer process can be found below.

SFWA will also accept donations of your tickets back to the conference which will go to help those who otherwise would not be able to afford or attend the conference. If you would like to donate your membership, please email office@sfwa.org.

Transfer Process

To request a transfer, please email office@sfwa.org. SFWA will not be involved in any monetary transaction between parties. We will need the following information for a transfer to be successful:

  • Purchase date of membership
  • Your name and email address
  • Name of person receiving the transfer and their email address

We will confirm with both parties that the transfer is valid and update our records accordingly.

 

 

Our phenomenal photographer Kaitrin Acuna is offering professional headshots and fantasy-style portraits at the Nebulas this year! Kaitrin specializes in photographer for bookish events and people, and will work with you to create photos that enhance your professional presence (or simply delight you and your loved ones!). For more information and to sign up, head to her website: https://www.kaitrinacuna.com/nebula

Help support the Nebula Finalist Fund!

Finalists who need help to attend the conference and ceremony can apply for help from the Fund – but it’s depleted every year. By donating or purchasing a limited-edition item, you bring the finalists closer to experiencing the joy and celebration of the Nebulas in person.

Sport some Nebulas merch!

 

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