This article is from the Science Fiction Fandom FAQ, by Vicki Rosenzweig vr@panix.com with numerous contributions by others.
The Worldcon is, in some sense, the center of the
fannish/convention year. Among other things, it's where the Hugo
Awards (for best science fiction in a variety of categories, plus
related categories such as best fanzine, best editor, and best
artist) are given out. Worldcons can be held anywhere in the world,
though (so far) most have been in the United States. They're usually
held at the end of August or beginning of September (August bank
holiday weekend for UK Worldcons, Labor Day weekend for US
Worldcons), but that isn't a hard and fast rule.
 
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