Look up. Way up. The Marriott Marquis atrium rises 50 stories above you, a brutalist concrete ribcage lined with balconies and crisscrossed by lighting rigs. Somewhere around floor 12, someone in a glowing LED fursuit waves down at the lobby. Welcome to Furry Weekend Atlanta.
FWA 2025 drew 17,736 attendees, making it one of the three largest furry conventions on the planet. The 2026 edition runs May 7-10 under the theme "Nowhere Inn Between", and if the growth trend from recent years holds, this one could push past 18,000. The convention returns to the Marriott Marquis and Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta, with Guest of Honor duties going to Kipper and IvyComb.
Here is everything you need to know about getting there, where to sleep, what to do, and how to survive a Georgia May weekend in a fursuit.
After 2024's nostalgia-drenched "The VHS Store" and 2025's neon-soaked "Futurepunk," FWA shifts gears with a more abstract concept for 2026. "Nowhere Inn Between" leans into the idea of liminal spaces: hallways that stretch on too long, hotel lobbies at 3 AM, the strange quiet between floors in an empty elevator.
It is a theme tailor-made for the Marriott Marquis. That building's exposed-concrete interior, with its sweeping atrium and repeating balcony tiers, already looks like it belongs in a liminal space photo collection. Expect the convention's art and decor teams to play heavily into that uncanny atmosphere. Programming panels will likely explore the aesthetic, and the fursuit dance competitions could get genuinely eerie this year.
The "Inn" in the title is a nice touch, given that the entire convention takes place inside hotels. If past years are any guide, FWA's creative team will transform the lobby spaces into something that blurs the line between cozy and unsettling.
FWA spreads across multiple buildings in downtown Atlanta, all linked by the city's elevated skybridge system. You can spend the entire weekend moving between venues without stepping outside.
Both headquarters hotels fill up fast once the room block opens. If you did not secure a room in either one this year, check back periodically for cancellations.
The Hilton Atlanta and Courtland Grand are connected to the headquarters hotels through Atlanta's indoor skybridge network. These are your best overflow options because you can walk to convention events without going outside, which matters a lot in May heat. Our con budgeting guide has tips for splitting room costs and booking strategies if you are still looking for a place to stay.
This is the event that makes FWA unlike any other convention on the calendar. FWA secures private after-hours access to the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world. The building clears out, the doors open for badge holders, and suddenly you are fursuiting past beluga whales and posing for photos in front of the whale shark viewing window.
A few practical notes for the Aquarium Takeover:
If you have never attended FWA before, this single event is reason enough to go.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, which works in your favor. Nonstop flights connect ATL to nearly every major city in the US and many international destinations. Fares to Atlanta tend to be competitive because of the volume of traffic.
The best part: you do not need a rideshare to get to the convention. MARTA, Atlanta's rail system, runs a train directly from the airport. Head to the MARTA station at baggage claim, take the northbound Gold or Red line, and exit at Peachtree Center station. The convention hotels are a short walk from that stop. The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs a few dollars.
If you prefer a rideshare, Lyft and Uber pickups are available at the airport's ground transportation level.
Atlanta sits at the junction of three interstate highways (I-75, I-85, and I-20), making it easy to reach by car from anywhere in the Southeast. Parking at the convention hotels is pricey, so check rates in advance. Public parking garages in the Peachtree Center area can save you money compared to hotel valet rates. If you are road-tripping with friends, splitting fuel and parking costs makes driving more practical. Check out our North America 2026 guide if you are planning a multi-con road trip this year.
Downtown Atlanta gives you plenty of options within walking distance.
For tips on keeping food costs under control over a four-day con, our con budgeting guide breaks down daily spending strategies.
May in Atlanta is warm. Daytime temperatures regularly hit 27-30°C (80-86°F), and the humidity can make it feel hotter. If you are fursuiting, this is not optional advice: hydrate aggressively. Carry water everywhere, take suit breaks in air-conditioned spaces, and know the signs of heat exhaustion. Our guide to fursuit cooling solutions covers cooling vests, portable fans, and other gear worth packing.
The skybridge system helps here. You can move between the Marriott, Hyatt, and overflow hotels without going outside, which means less time in the heat for suiters.
The Marriott Marquis atrium is stunning, loud, and disorienting at 2 AM. Sound bounces off 50 stories of concrete, so conversations in the lobby can reach surprising volume levels. If you are a light sleeper, request a room that does not face the atrium. Earplugs are a good idea regardless.
Pick up your badge as early as possible. Thursday evening registration avoids the Friday morning rush. If you arrive Friday, try to go during off-peak hours rather than right when the doors open.
FWA is also one of the most fursuit-friendly conventions in North America, with dedicated headless lounges and cooling stations throughout the venue.
Browse our complete calendar with dates, locations, and details for every upcoming furry convention.
View Full CalendarRegistration for FWA 2026 is $65 for a full weekend pass. Pricing tiers and availability may vary depending on when you register. Check the official FWA website for current pricing on sponsor and super-sponsor tiers.
FWA is large, which can feel overwhelming at first, but the convention's layout helps. Having everything connected by skybridges means you will not get lost navigating between distant buildings. The programming schedule includes panels for newcomers, and the general atmosphere is welcoming. If you are attending your first con, read our first con survival guide before you go.
FWA arranges private after-hours access to the Georgia Aquarium for badge holders. You will receive details about timing and entry procedures in the convention program. Fursuiting inside is allowed, and the event is one of the most photographed moments of the weekend. Arrive early, because the line to get in can be long.
Take the MARTA rail from Hartsfield-Jackson airport. The MARTA station is located at baggage claim. Board a northbound Gold or Red line train and ride to Peachtree Center station, which is a short walk from the convention hotels. The trip takes about 20 minutes.
Yes. The majority of FWA attendees do not fursuit. The convention offers a full schedule of panels, workshops, a dealers den, art show, gaming rooms, dances, charity events, and social gatherings. Fursuits are a visible part of the experience but not a requirement for enjoying the weekend.
Check the Hilton Atlanta and Courtland Grand, both connected to the convention via the skybridge network. You can also check back periodically for cancellations in the main block. Beyond the connected hotels, downtown Atlanta has many options within a short walk or MARTA ride of the venue.
If you are mapping out the rest of your convention year, our summer and fall cons guide covers what is coming up after FWA.
Sources:
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