221B Con
Held every April since 2013*, 221B Con is the longest-running Sherlock Holmes fan convention in the world (and some years, the largest Sherlockian event in the world as well). We celebrate Sherlock Holmes in all his incarnations, whether he’s Conan Doyle’s canon Great Detective; a sharp-witted, phone-addicted young man in the 2010s; or even a mouse. If you’re a Holmesian or a lover of fandom, you’ll find your people here.
*Except in 2020, due to the pandemic; 2021 was held virtually.
What's up with the bees?
So glad you asked. As we know, upon his retirement, Sherlock Holmes kept bees. Over the years, our regular con attendees have begun to refer to ourselves as ‘bees’, and the annual convention as ‘the hive’. Our convention hotel, the Atlanta Airport Marriott, also has a beehive and bee-themed elements around the hotel, so it just fits! Plus, y’know, 221B(ee).
Sherlock Holmes has long been the focus of fan groups worldwide, but prior to the creation and airing of BBC’s Sherlock (2010), the fandom was primarily made up of those who were devoted to the original canon. Groups of Sherlock Holmes fans often joined local scions (or Sherlock Holmes clubs) to meet and interact with other fans, discuss the books and the author thereof, and partake in community surrounding the Great Detective.
With the new adaptation’s release, a great wave of younger fans became interested in Sherlock Holmes, and the online community grew exponentially as the seasons progressed. Soon, there was demand for a fan convention that couldn’t be met by the yearly one- or two-day meetings of small, local scions.
With prior experience planning other conventions, a committee of five Holmesians began to plan for the United States’ first Sherlock Holmes fan convention, 221B Con, to be held in April of 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. Crystal Noll, Heather Holloway, Taylor Blumberg, Cathy Dodds, and Liz Arnold were the original planning committee, and they became lovingly known amongst the convention attendees as ‘Con Moms’ or, as time went on, Beekeepers. The first 221B Con was expected to draw around 100 attendees, but when many more arrived, the concom realized that their event was far more popular than they could have imagined.
A 221B Con 2013 review by Lynne Stephens, as published on RedCircleDC.org
The con badge artwork expressed the first 221B Con’s objective visually: 5 Sherlocks of 5 different eras, from Basil Rathbone to Basil of Baker Street. If your interest was Holmes of any flavor, age, or variety, the con would deliver, as the con organizers’ objective was to provide a “full range of Sherlockiana” to attendees.
It lived up to its promise, and how. Structured similarly to a typical regional science fiction convention, the convention ran three or four simultaneous tracks of Holmes-related programming all day Saturday, and late into the afternoon on Sunday, April 13-14, 2013. Hour-long panels covered a wide range of topics, including introductions to the canon; the background and details of key scion societies such as BSI and ASH; a review of the Granada series; a sampling of Sherlock Holmes radio shows; and a discussion of John Watson’s portrayal in film and TV, from Nigel Bruce to Lucy Liu. If you got “paneled out” you could duck into a small video room running Holmes content, a display room, and of course a dealers’ room. Or, as many did, simply sit in the lobby and socialize.
The five key con organizers sailed a tight and organized ship. Registration ran smoothly and quickly; panels started and stopped on time.
As it was a first-time convention, the committee originally expected between 75-100 attendees. But by 10 days before the convention, registration had soared so high above that number that the committee announced a registration cap of 700, to ensure that everyone who did come would enjoy their experience. The final numbers: 688 registered, with 643 actually walking through the door.
The majority of attendees were women, with a significant number wearing clever and creative costumes throughout each day. As would be expected, there was a large Holmes contingent (Rathbone era through Sherlock), along with Watsons, Irene Adlers, and Moriartys. Less prevalent but also very well received were costumes representing Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s other roles, such as his character James from Third Star, and the entire crew of MJN Airlines from Cabin Pressure.
With the immediate and enormous success of 221B Con, the event became a yearly staple for Sherlock Holmes fans of all ages, genders, and origins. The convention aims to be widely inclusive and celebrates diversity of all kinds among its attendees.
Although still primarily Sherlock-focused, with the majority of its programming dedicated to the character, his various appearances throughout different media and eras, and works related to the detective and his friends, 221B Con welcomes fans of all kinds. The show also aims to support creative inclinations and fan works, including writing, art, fanfic, costuming, and crafting.
Fandoms too numerous to count have been represented with official panels and fan discussions in hotel spaces or rooms packed with excited fans looking to make new friends. Attendees are naturally inclined to want to share their fandom interests with like-minded others. Each year, the con committee opens up panel suggestions so that new panels can be added, which keeps the convention current and leaves the door wide-open for new attendees.
In 2025, the original con-runners retired. Directorship of the con was turned over to longtime attendees Johanna Draper Carlson and Heather Hinson. The con is now run by an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with some of the founders continuing on as board members to ensure the convention maintains its appeal and approach.
With the help of other convention devotees, 221B Con will continue as a yearly event for fans of all kinds to come home to the Hive to visit with fandom friends from far and wide.
Con Events
Though our fan-run panels change every year, there are several events during 221B Con that are annual traditions. Compete in our cosplay competition (all fandoms welcome!). After panels are over for the day, join other congoers for karaoke, ‘after dark’ panels, the Queer Prom dance party, and more. We also hold writers’ workshops, informal meetups, and have a whole suite (Mrs. Hudson’s) dedicated to hanging out, relaxing, and making friends.