Mars Today Updates as of 2/15/26:

Hailing frequencies open, begin transmission….

Attention all hands, we are approaching the MarsCon system!  As you awaken from your year in convention cryopod stasis, we are uploading some news you can use: 

Volunteering: We need help on Thursday & Friday March 5th  & 6th with load in! Volunteers will receive double hours for helping with load in/pack out. MarsCon is put on entirely by volunteers and we can’t make it happen without your help! In addition to needing help with load in/pack out, we also need volunteers during the weekend to assist many of our activities. Please go here to contact us if you are able to help!  You can also message us directly using the Volunteer Interest Form. 

A Fun Weekend Planned! We have some great programming planned for con weekend! Everything from a Star Trek celebrity, to paranormal experts, exciting authors and artists, great comedy music, and interesting panels galore! If you haven’t already registered and purchased your ticket, please go here to do so. Along with our regular weekend passes, we also have day passes available. We are also offering discounted prices for youth and veterans!

GAMING UPDATE! In addition to our fun table top and RPG gaming we are thrilled to announce a MAGIC THE GATHERING booster draft that will take place on Saturday at 1pm, on the 2nd floor in the table top gaming room!! We are also excited to announce a Five Nights at Freddy’s D & D event on Saturday morning at 10am. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Parties! The preliminary party list is officially LIVE on our website! Go here to check out the parties list and the online map and plan out your party hopping route. Thinking of hosting? There’s still time to host a party room. Go here to host a party room. 

Masquerade Contest: Calling all cosplayers! MarsCon’s Masquerade contest is looking for you! Categories: Best Youth, Best Novice, Best Journeyman, Best Master, Best in Show. Some of this year’s prizes include Blicks Art Materials gift cards, MarsCon badges for 2027, and MarsCon merch. For full details and to sign up for the contest visit MarsCon.org/Masquerade. 
Speaking of Masquerade, our Masquerade Lounge is hosting some fun and interesting costume related panels. Check it out in the Blue Heron Colony room near the elevators on 2nd floor. 

Charity Auction: In addition to our annual Charity Auction support of the Gordon Dickson Memorial Scholarship Fund, we are excited to announce our other 2026 Charity Auction beneficiary will be VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People). VEAP is the Twin Cities largest food pantry providing access to healthy foods, social services, and financial assistance. MarsCon will be collecting donations for VEAP throughout con weekend. In addition to pantry food items, there is also a need for: toilet paper, laundry detergent, all personal hygiene products including feminine hygiene products, baby diapers, canned soups, microwaveable foods, pet foods.  Go here to learn more about our Charity Auction and how you can participate! 

Art Show: Calling all artists! Our amazing Art Show and Art Market are accepting submissions! Go here to learn more and to sign up! 

Finally, we’d like to reiterate our policy regarding recent events that are affecting MarsCon’s home, Minnesota. MarsCon values “infinite” diversity. It is the future. We stand in unwavering solidarity with our neighbors, friends, and families who are currently living in fear. The militarization of our streets, the targeting of community members, and the separation of families is cruel, unacceptable, and a violation of basic human rights. We mourn for Minnesota and those who lost their lives during this insupportable siege. Cold as ice in Minnesota. Hoping for a thaw. Please be safe. 
For more information and how you can help, please visit the home page of our website. 

MarsCon 2026 is going to be an exciting look back at “Sci-Fi of Yesteryear.” We hope you will join us on this fun time traveling adventure! See you at con!