Designed with Parents and Merwranglers in mind!
This Observer Pass allows for admission to the vendor hall, main stage programming, and pool deck but does NOT allow the observer to other attend classes, panels, specialty programs, or swim in the pool.
However, as we want to encourage safety practices: Any observer-pass chaperone of a merling-pass child may accompany that child to their classes and in the pool. And any observer-pass holder may attend all of the MerWrangling classes.
You may upgrade your observer pass to the participant pass at registration. Simply let the staff know you wish to upgrade your pass when you check in and they will process your transaction for only the difference in price, payable by credit or debit card.
Yes. Since you can’t upgrade your observer pass to the participant pass until registration opens on Friday. You are allowed to pre-register for classes or purchase tickets to specialty classes and certifications even if you don’t have your participant pass just yet.
Keep in mind, if you don’t have a participant pass you will be turned away when you try to attend these sessions, and specialty programming tickets are non-refundable. So don’t forget to upgrade your observer pass at registration
No! Anyone 21 and up can attend the gala by purchasing at ticket to the gala regardless of whether or not they choose to attend the daytime convention.
Yes! Absolutely all attendees must have a ticket in order to attend. Our Guppy tickets are free to those 3yrs old and under. Merling tickets are for children ages 4-12. All attendees over 13 years old must have an Observer or Participant pass.
Most classes and activities at the convention do not require any pre-registration to attend with your convention participant pass. These classes are marked in Green on the Schedule.
However, due to limited class sizes and/or safety standards, some classes require pre-registration or even an additional ticket. Classes marked in Yellow are included in the participant pass but you need to pre-register by “purchasing” the free ticket from the ticket portal. Classes marked in red require an additional “Specialty Class” ticket to be purchased.
You MUST have a participant pass to attend classes.
Every year MerMagic Con invites notable photographers from around the country to offer photoshoots above and below the surface.
In order to allow everyone an equal opportunity to book with these artists, photoshoot bookings from all photographers are made available simultaneously, with the date and time advertised in advance on our social media. Details on the packages offered and instructions on how to book are available on the Photography page.
As these artists are each independent vendors, all booking and any agreements on pricing and delivery of images you make with the photographer are exclusively between you and the photographer.
MerMagic Con can not overrule or alter these agreements.
ALL TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
Yes! Tickets are transferrable to other attendees but not to future years/events.
You may resell your tickets to someone else at any time prior to check in.
In order to have your tickets transferred email the convention at MerMagicCon@gmail.com, using the email you purchased the tickets with. Please include your original purchase confirmation, as well as the recipient’s full name and email address. Copy the recipient on the email and we will transfer passes as instructed and send you a confirmation.
MerMagic Con is held annually in the greater Washington D.C. area.
The 2025 event is being held at The Silver Spring Aquatic Center in Silver Spring, MD.
Visit the Venues page for more details.
Washington D.C. has 3 major airports.
The 2025 event is being held in Silver Spring, MD.
Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) is on the Maryland side of Washington D.C. and is a 30 minute drive to the convention assuming no traffic. This is the best airport to fly into if you have a vehicle or ride available in Maryland.
Reagan International Airport (DCA) is also approximately 30 minutes from the convention when there is not traffic, but it is near the center of D.C. so traffic can add hours. Attendees flying into DCA can take the red line metro to the convention, located a 5 minute walk from the Silver Spring Station. This is the best option for those attending without a vehicle.
Dulles International Airport (IAD) is on the VA side of D.C. and is the furthest from the convention. However, thanks to improvements to the Silver Line, attendees flying into Dulles can take the Metro to the convention.
There is no shuttle from the airport to the convention. However the convention is accessible via metro from IAD or DCA
Mermagic Con secures a discounted block of hotel rooms every year for the convention. Visit the “Venues” page for information on where and how to book your room.
Yes! Your pass to the convention for the weekend is not linked to your hotel in any way. You are not required to stay at the host hotel to attend any of the events. While Friday night registration and mixer is hosted at the hotel, those spaces are open to all MerMagic Con attendees.
The MerMagic Con Merfolk Mingling Group on Facebook is a great place to meet other attendees, ask questions, plan carpools, find hotel roommates, and plan your trip!
Additionally you should follow MerMagic Con on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for exciting updates and program announcements.
Yes! Visit our Press page for more information and follow the instructions on how to request a press pass.
Maybe.
MerMagic Con does not rent out the entire Silver Spring Aquatic center for the weekend. If you are a member you are still welcome to exercise your normal membership privileges in the unrented spaces. Furthermore, MerMagic Con has partnered with the Aquatic Center to bring much of it’s programming to members free of charge!
As a member of the Aquatic Center you can browse the vendor hall, use the low-stim sensory space, experience the children’s programming on the second floor with your little ones, and we invite you to learn what it’s all about by attending any of the Main Stage Programming.
If you’d like to dive deeper you can visit our registration desk to buy a MerMagic Con pass to the pool sessions and exclusive classes.
Thank you for sharing the space with us!
