DC Party, Gather, Event List

Have you ever tried Vegemite or like conversing in a foreign language? Do you miss familiar twangs or water flowing down a sink in the right direction? +61: the Australian Embassy is the meetup just for you. Every year a few random Australians end up coalescing around an inflatable kangaroo somewhere in the halls and this year we decided to get our shit together and find a place to catch up, share notes, reminisce about your adventure to the Bass Pro Shop and complain about the jetlag. Feel free to join us (or dont) as we catch up on the happenings of hacker summer camp.

The Arcade Party is back! Come play your favorite classic arcade games while jamming out to Keith Myers DJing. Your favorite custom built 16 player LED foosball table will be ready for some competitive games. This epic party, free for DEF CON 33 attendees to enjoy and play, is hosted by the Military Cyber Professionals Association (a tech ed charity) and friends. 

Links:
    website – https://arcadeparty.org

Gamers Unite! Come join the BIC Village team to engage with one another, unplug and find some friendly competition! Whether you’re into board games, card games or classic party games, there’s something for everyone here. Bring your game face and get ready for a night of fun, laughter and connection.This event will feature different board games such as Jenga, Uno, Spades, Ludi and more from around the African Diaspora and Black American culture!

BlanketFort Con: Come for the chill vibes and diversity, stay for the Blanket Fort Building, Cool Lights, Music, and Kid Friendly \ Safe environment. Now with less Gluten and more animal onesies!
Links:
    @blanketfortcon@bsky.social – https://bsky.app/profile/blanketfortcon.bsky.social

Join Call Center Village at Party Line, a carefully-crafted telephony-themed party open to all DEF CON 33 attendees. Help us celebrate the human operators who keep call centers and answering services private, usable, and accessible. Between the illuminated telephone decorations and the sponsor-supplied drink-ticket drops, you’re bound to find something to dial up the fun.

DEF CON’s first-ever race: Expect to hear hardcore, happy hardcore, breakcore, speedcore, hardstyle. Bring your phat pants, kandi bracelets, and nine inch nails (on finger) to this once in a lifetime rave.

Links:
    Website – https://cyberdelia.club-cyberia.net

For all people that want to hang out and celebrate the lives and death of influential people to the hacker community. Attendees are encouraged to dress to kill in Day of the Dead attire or any attire that includes dead heroes. Music will be provided by CURZES and special guest DJs.

Everyone is welcome to join us and celebrate the dead!

Community is essential and so is continual learning. Reading and discussing books can greatly impact an individual’s access and sense of community and knowledge. This DEF CON book discussion will be an accessible group aiming to build community and share out learnings, all in a quieter setting. Come join us in person and discuss what you’ve been reading. This DC Book Club is not locked to a region and we’re around all year on Discord, where we discuss books and other topics. This meetup is for those who love books and escaping to the cyperpunk, scifi worlds that inspire DEF CON and our future. Come join us!

DCNextGen event for youth 8-18 only. The DC NextGen youth party is the perfect place to loosen up and have fun with other kids and teens your age! There is no better time to hang out and chat with the new friends you’ve made here. All while enjoying fun games and cyber themed activities. Are you ready to build a team and hack the planet?

They say Atlanta is the city too busy to hate, but it also has too much traffic for its widespread hacker fam to get together in a single meetup. So instead, we’re meeting up in the desert during DEF CON! The one time of year when intown, northern burbs, south siders, and anyone else connected to DC404’s 25+ year legacy can catch up and share stories. Join us and meet your fellow ATL hackers!

Join the local DC702 Group in this year’s official DEF CON Meetup! The meetup will be casual and include typical meetup activities (e.g., socializing, “challenges,” lockpicking, music, etc.) and maybe a few little surprises.

“Drinking with the Dutch” at DEF CON is a perfect moment to talk about what your favourite thing is at DEF CON, show your cool handmade badges, impress other hackers about your latest hacks, make new friends, gossip about your boss and show your cat or dog pictures.

Defcon.run is a beloved tradition at DEF CON, bringing together hackers for a refreshing start to the day. Originally known as the DEF CON 4x5K, the event has evolved into a distributed, community-driven experience featuring fun runs and rucks across Las Vegas. Participants can choose from various routes, ranging from simple 5Ks to more ambitious distances.

For DEF CON 33, the gathering point is “The Spot” by the North Entrance of the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall. Here, the real wild hares gather before the sun has a chance to burn up this city of sin. The runs kick off at 06:00 Thursday through Sunday! But be there early for hype talks and shenanigans. We also have a whole new Meshtastic setup and website features we’re adding. There are other runs swag drops and social meetups planned throughout the day and night as well!

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or looking for something different, defcon.run offers a unique way to connect with other hackers and kick off your day. For more details and to sign up, visit defcon.run.

Links:
    Website – https://defcon.run

The Ham Radio Village is excited to return to DEF CON 33, offering you the opportunity “Access Everything” by gaining you access to the airwaves though free amateur radio license exams! Ham radio has a long history with ham radio operators being considered the original electronic hackers, innovating long before computers, integrated circuits, or even transistors were invented. The Ham Radio Village keeps this spirit alive by providing free ham radio license exams at DEF CON.

In today’s world, wireless communication is essential. A fundamental understanding of radio technology is more important than ever. Earning your amateur radio license opens the door to the world of amateur radio, providing you with valuable knowledge of radio frequency (RF) technology. This knowledge can be applied to a wide range of other RF-related topics, including RFID credentials, Wi-Fi, and other wireless communication systems.

Links:
    Website – https://hamvillage.org
    Mastodon (@HamRadioVillage@defcon.social) – https://defcon.social/@HamRadioVillage

We know DEF CON and Vegas can be a lot. If you’re a friend of Bill W who’s looking for a meeting or just a place to collect yourself, DEF CON 33 has you covered. Join us throughout the conference in the Friends of Bill W Community Space in W301.

Returning for their 8th year, Gothcon invites you to come dance the night away with a line-up of some of the community’s best dark dance music DJ’s from across the US! Dress however you would like in whatever makes you feel comfortable and happy, and all are welcome.

Links:
    Website – https://gothcon.com

Hack the Bots is a live-action hardware hacking competition where four teams face off using robotic platforms like the Tengu Marauder. The Tengu Marauder is an open source hacking bot platform that has presented at DEFCON32 and Blackhat USA. Each bot is operated by a two-person crew: one pilot to drive and engage in kinetic tactics, and one hacker to launch wireless, IoT, or hardware-based exploits. The mission? Reach the “King of the Hill” zone, capture the flag, and hold it against other attackers. Teams must bypass IoT-controlled barriers, dodge spinning and piston-powered obstacles, and survive attacks from rival robots. This session blends robotics, wireless warfare, and hands-on hacking in a physical capture-the-flag arena. No prior robotics experience is required, but a basic understanding of wireless or hardware attacks will give teams an edge. Bring your skills. Break their bots. Win the hill.

People:
    SpeakerBio:  lexicon121
No BIO available

Two great things that go great together! Join the fun as your fellow hackers make their way through songs from every era and style. Everyone has a voice and this is your opportunity to show it off! Everyone is encourage to participate in a DEF CON tradition from all folks and skill levels.

IoT Village is turning 10! Join us for a celebration of 10 years of hacking all of the things at DEF CON. Stop by for birthday cake, exclusive stickers, prizes and giveaways, and did we mention cake?

If you’re a lawyer (recently unfrozen or otherwise), a judge or a law student please make a note to join Jeff McNamara for a friendly get-together, drinks, and conversation.

Come meet the largest social network of LGBTQIA+ and allied hackers at Queercon! Our mixers are designed for you to meet, network, and engage with like-minded people to a backdrop of music, dance, and refreshments.

Join Us for the Ultimate Spades Tournament & Game Night Social! Looking for a fun way to unwind, connect, and enjoy some friendly competition? Our Spades Tournament & Game Night Social is the perfect way to relax while engaging in a classic card game that brings people together.

You’ve seen us swamp chillout areas guerilla style with tables full of stickers, but now we finally got our act together and have a formal place and time. Come swap stickers, chat with creators, and join the growing subculture of sticker lovers. Follow @dcstickerswap on Twitter for updates.

The Illuminati Party is excited to open our doors once again to all those who wish to join us at DEF CON for an OPEN party welcoming all of our Hacker Family!

Step into The Jasmine Dragon, an exclusive underground gathering where tradition meets the digital age, and the beat flows like perfectly executed code. With DJ Iroh dropping martial arts-inspired hip-hop, expect deep cuts, heavy bass, and an atmosphere that fuses cyberpunk aesthetics with ancient strategy. This isn’t just a party—it’s a cipher, a meeting of minds where warriors and tacticians alike can connect, scheme, and unwind. But entry isn’t for just anyone; only those who hold the right Pai Sho tile will unlock the door to this hidden node.

The DEF CON Shoot is a public event that happens just prior to the DEF CON hacker conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is an opportunity to see and shoot some of the guns belonging to your friends while taking pride in showing and firing your own steel, as well, in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. We choose a spot, then we rent tables, canopies, and bring all the necessary safety equipment and amenities. All you need to bring yourself and (optionally) your firearms. New shooters and veterans both attend regularly. You can attend with your firearms, of course, but folk without guns of their own in Vegas may have the opportunity to try gear from others in attendance. Admission costs are intentionally kept low, just so we can break even on expenses for the amenities provided.

Offsite – Pro Gun Vegas Address: 12801 US 95 South. Boulder City, NV 89005

Links:
    Website – https://dcshoot.org

Join the humans of Vegas at the next inCARNEtion of your Thursday welcome party. Enjoy fewer walls and more garden as we meet AFK in the shade of Sunset Park. Burgers and dogs are provided; you bring everything else (specialties, drinks, labor, and donations). We’re expanding our grills to over 40 sq ft of heat with space for veggies and your own personal creations.

Grab flyers from an Info Booth after Linecon, or watch #ToxicBBQ on the socials for the latest news.

Offsite @ Sunset Park, Foxtail Pavilion (36.0636, -115.1178)

Links:
    bsky.app/profile/toxicbbq.org – https://bsky.app/profile/toxicbbq.org

“Um, ACKtually” is a hacker twist on an established gameshow hosted by Dropout TV (Um, Actually). In this show, contestants are read a short statement about film, television, literature, etc. which contains one incorrect detail. The contestants must buzz in with the correction, preceded by the phrase “Um, Actually”. In DEF CON’s version, these statements are all related to tech / cybersecurity. Anyone who has spent any amount of time on social media, knows how much hackers love to correct each other!

Come watch some of your favorite hacking personalities publicly weaponize mansplaining for your entertainment!”

DEF CON is renowned for bringing together some of the brightest minds in technology and security. By participating in VETCON, you have the chance to highlight the critical role veterans play in this landscape and explore how technology can support and enhance their lives.

We’d love to get all the gender non conforming, non-binary and women together to hang out and make friends! DEF CON is better with friends. Stop in for a bit, or the whole time.

Links:
    Mastodon (@dianainitiative@defcon.social) – https://defcon.social/@dianainitiative