Anthrocon (AC) 2027 has upcoming dates to be announced at David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
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From attendees
A convention of this scale relies on Pittsburgh's transit infrastructure:
Curated stays near David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, United States.
Hotel rooms for Anthrocon are in high demand, and the convention fills much of the downtown hotel grid:
In May 2026, Loews Hotels & Co. signed a Letter of Intent to build a 500-room hotel physically attached to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The $418 million project - backed by a $30 million Commonwealth of Pennsylvania commitment and Pittsburgh's broader downtown investment package - is expected to add 1,200 union construction jobs and 400 permanent positions once operating.
No groundbreaking or opening year has been confirmed yet, but the long-discussed convention-center hotel is the most concrete commitment in 20 years of talks. Once open, it would significantly relieve the Anthrocon hotel crunch and replace shuttle rides for hundreds of attendees with a direct walk into the convention center. Sources: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pennsylvania DCED announcement, CBS Pittsburgh, WPXI (May 14, 2026).
Anthrocon 2026 marked the convention's 20th anniversary in Pittsburgh and set a new all-time attendance record of 20,618, up from 18,357 in 2025, with Mayor Corey O'Connor declaring July 1 "Anthrocon Day" for the milestone. The year's charity was J and J Farms Animal Sanctuary, a Western-Pennsylvania farm-animal rescue. The defining moment, however, was a weather call: with an extreme-heat and severe-weather forecast for the Fourth of July, Anthrocon cancelled its signature Fursuit Parade and Block Party (scheduled for 2pm on July 4) and moved to indoor programming, citing the safety of fursuiters, attendees, and Pittsburgh residents. The final charity total had not yet been published in Anthrocon's official post-convention wrap-up.
Anthrocon 2025 set a new attendance record with 18,357 attendees in Pittsburgh. The convention raised over $87,000 for Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue, continuing its tradition as one of the fandom's most significant charitable events.
The 2024 edition drew 17,639 attendees under the "AnthroCoaster!" theme. Anthrocon crossed six figures of charity giving for the first time in its history, donating $100,103 to Gray Paws Sanctuary (Midwest FurFest had already crossed the $100,000 single-year mark in 2022 with $106,683 for the Anti-Cruelty Society).
Historical data and growth track record
See how this convention grew over time.
| Year | Dates | Theme | Attendance | Charity Raised | Guest(s) of Honor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2027 | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | None Announced |
2026 | Jul 2-5 | Critters, Cryptids & Curses | 20,618 | (J and J Farms Animal Sanctuary) | No designated Guests of Honor |
2025 | Jul 3-6 | Deep Sea Adventures | 18,357 | $87,267(Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue) | No designated Guests of Honor |
2024 | Jul 4-7 | AnthroCoaster! | 17,639 | $100,103(Gray Paws Sanctuary) | None Announced |
2023 | Jul 6-9 | Anthropolis: Our Furry City | 13,644 | $52,000(Rabbit Wranglers) | None Announced |
2022 | Jun 30 - Jul 3 | Aesop's Fables | 9,702 | $41,553(Wildlife Works Inc.) | None Announced |
Want more context? Compare this convention against other furry events or browse the attendance rankings.
From the blog
NewsWhat Pittsburgh's New Loews Convention Hotel Means for Anthrocon AttendeesLoews signed a Letter of Intent for a 500-room hotel attached to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Here is what it means for Anthrocon attendees.6 min read
GuidesConvention Budgeting Guide: The Real Cost of a Furry Con (2026 Edition)A realistic 2026 budget guide for furry conventions. Three spending tiers from $400 to $3,150+, covering hotels, food, dealers den, and hidden costs.10 min read
GuidesThe Top 5 Most Fursuit-Friendly Conventions for 2026The top fursuit-friendly conventions ranked by headless lounge quality, cooling support, parade organization, and handler programs for 2026.6 min read
ConsNorth American Furry Conventions 2026: Complete CalendarAnthrocon (18K), MFF (17K), FWA (17K), and 17 more must-attend furry conventions in the US and Canada for 2026. Dates, attendance, prices, and travel tips.20 min readBrowse our complete calendar with dates, locations, and details for every upcoming furry convention.
View Full CalendarAttending Anthrocon? Check out our guides:
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The 6-2-1 rule, post-con depression, and everything else first-timers need to know.
Real costs for badges, hotels, food, and dealers den across three budget tiers.
All major 2026 events in the USA and Canada with dates and travel tips.
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3 quirks & policies that don't fit the highlights grid.
Bucket Brigade and the J and J Farms 2026 charity
Anthrocon's 2026 charity is J and J Farms Animal Sanctuary, a Western-Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) caring for ~175 rescued animals, from 2,000-pound Belgian draft horses to a Pekin duck named Hank who navigates con season in a size 2T/3T diaper. Funds are raised three ways at the convention: the Sunday afternoon Charity Auction (G to PG donations only), the Friday-Saturday Raffle drawn during Sunday's Dealers Room hours, and the Bucket Brigade, costumed performers walking the con with designated charity buckets.
Cashless con, cashless city
Anthrocon and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center are both fully cashless for 2026. Registration, the Art Show, and the Con Store accept card payments only, and the convention center itself stopped taking cash. Plan to bring a Visa or Mastercard; the city's restaurants still take cash, but on-site you will not be able to spend a dollar bill at any official Anthrocon counter.
Orchid Events block, March 10 booking, and the AC scam warning
The only legitimate way to get an Anthrocon room rate is through Orchid Events, the convention's official block partner. Anyone offering to "sell" you a room at Anthrocon's rate outside the Orchid link is, per Anthrocon's own hotel page, almost certainly running a scam, and the page calls this out by name.
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