Tropical-print shirts, sunblock jokes, and inflatable flamingos took over San Jose this past January. Further Confusion 2026 brought the summer heat to the Bay Area in the middle of winter.
Update: FC 2026 took place January 15-19 and drew 6,621 attendees, raising $45,279 for The Street Dog Coalition. The venue details, travel tips, and dining recommendations below remain useful for planning future FC trips.
Dates: January 15 - 19, 2026 Location: San Jose Convention Center, CA Theme: "The Beach Episode" Attendance: 6,621
Further Confusion has been running since 1999, making it one of the oldest furry conventions still in operation. If you are planning the rest of your year around cons, our North America 2026 guide has the full calendar. The event started as a relatively small gathering in San Jose and has grown steadily over more than two decades. In its early years, FC was closely associated with the Bay Area's tech-savvy furry community, and that influence persists today in the convention's polished digital infrastructure and the demographic of its attendees. The convention has traditionally been held in January, occupying the post-holiday window that gives West Coast furs a convention to look forward to at the start of each year.
Notable milestones in FC's history include its move to the San Jose Convention Center complex, which allowed it to accommodate growing attendance that reached 6,621 in 2026. The convention has hosted some of the fandom's most memorable theme years, including space, noir, and mythology themes that inspired elaborate decorations and programming. FC's charity auctions have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for animal welfare organizations over the years. The convention's Guest of Honor tradition has featured prominent furry artists, writers, and community figures, and the opening ceremonies typically set the creative tone for each year's theme.
Further Confusion, affectionately known as FurCon or FC, is one of the longest-running conventions in the fandom. It has a reputation for a distinct "West Coast" vibe: chill, creative, and very tech-adjacent given its Silicon Valley location.
We've all seen it in anime: the obligatory break from the main plot where everyone goes to the beach. FC leaned into this trope hard for 2026.
The San Jose Convention Center is the heart of FC, offering spacious exhibit halls, meeting rooms, and a large lobby area that serves as the convention's social hub. The center connects directly to two main hotels:
If the main hotels are full when you book for a future FC, several overflow options are within walking distance:
The walk between overflow hotels and the convention center is along well-lit downtown streets. January nights in San Jose average around 5-8°C (40-46°F), so bring a jacket for the walk back.
Downtown San Jose has a solid restaurant scene within walking distance of the convention center. Here are practical options organized by type:
DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub all operate in downtown San Jose with a good selection of restaurants. For late-night eats after dances (which run past midnight), delivery apps or 24-hour fast food are your primary options, as most sit-down restaurants close by 10 PM.
The convention center itself has a food service area during FC, but prices are high and variety is limited. Most experienced attendees eat off-site or order delivery to the hotel lobby. For tips on keeping food and other expenses under control, see our con budgeting guide.
The closest airport is San Jose International Airport (SJC), which is about 10 minutes from the convention center by car or rideshare. A Lyft or Uber from SJC to the venue typically costs $10-18. SJC has direct flights from many US cities and is served by Southwest, Alaska, American, Delta, and United.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 45 minutes to an hour south by car, depending on traffic. SFO has more international and long-haul domestic routes. The cheapest transit option from SFO is Caltrain (commuter rail from Millbrae station to San Jose Diridon, about 70 minutes, $8-10), followed by a short rideshare or VTA light rail trip to the convention center.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is another option, about 45-60 minutes away by car. It is served by budget carriers including Southwest and Spirit.
The convention center is located at the intersection of several major highways (I-280, US-101, I-880). Parking at the convention center garage is $20-30 per day. The nearby Market Street garage and other public lots offer rates of $10-18 per day. If you are driving from within California, expect Bay Area traffic congestion, particularly on Friday afternoons.
San Jose Diridon Station is about 1.5 miles from the convention center (a 30-minute walk or short rideshare). Amtrak's Capitol Corridor and Coast Starlight routes serve Diridon, as does Caltrain from San Francisco and the peninsula.
FC registration fees vary by tier and how early you register. Pre-registration (opened months before the event) is typically $60-80 for a full weekend pass. At-the-door registration is higher, usually $80-100. Sponsor and super-sponsor tiers offer perks like early access to the dealers den and priority seating at events, with prices ranging from $120 to $250.
Yes. FC's relaxed atmosphere and manageable size (compared to mega-cons like MFF or Anthrocon) make it a solid first convention. If this is your first time, our first con survival guide covers everything from the 6-2-1 rule to handling post-con depression. The programming schedule includes panels specifically for new convention-goers, and the West Coast furry community is generally welcoming. The connected hotel-convention center layout means you do not need to navigate between distant buildings.
The FC fursuit parade typically winds through the convention center's main halls and, weather permitting, goes outside into the adjacent park area. The outdoor segment provides natural lighting for photographs, which is a draw for photographers. The parade usually happens on Saturday afternoon. Non-suiters can watch from designated viewing areas along the route.
Absolutely. The majority of FC attendees do not fursuit. The convention is primarily a social and creative event with panels, workshops, a dealers den, art show, gaming rooms, dances, and room parties. Fursuits are one part of the experience but not a requirement.
The FC hotel block at the Marriott and Hilton typically opens in late summer or early fall for a January convention. Rooms in the main block often sell out within days of opening. If you miss the block, check back periodically for cancellations, and have overflow hotel options ready as a backup.
The immediate area around the convention center and connected hotels is well-lit and regularly patrolled. Downtown San Jose is generally safe for walking between the venue and overflow hotels. As with any city, use standard precautions: stick to main streets, walk with friends, and stay aware of your surroundings.
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