Chicago Socialism Conference 2026 Requires Masks for Attendees

The upcoming 2026 Chicago Socialism Conference mandates that all attendees wear N-95 or K-95 masks, with organizers set to provide masks for those who may arrive without them.

According to the conference website, this mask requirement applies strictly to formal conference spaces and sessions. Attendees should be mindful that some may choose to go unmasked in other areas of the hotel or outside where people might gather informally.

Participants are encouraged to take Covid tests prior to the event, and complimentary testing will be accessible on-site.

Scheduled to begin on Friday, the conference features various socialist speakers, including Hasan Piker and DSA president Megan Romer.

In its overview, the conference describes itself as a four-day gathering uniting thousands of socialists and radical activists from across the nation to engage in discussions on topics like social movements, abolition, Marxism, decolonization, and the historical context of the working class, alongside contemporary organizing strategies.

Additionally, the event will be a platform for activists to share their experiences and insights on various struggles, ranging from anti-ICE initiatives to gender liberation, support for Palestine, environmental justice, and racial equality, among others.

The agenda includes diverse programs such as the “Marxism Education Series,” “Reproductive Justice Strategy Session,” “Sing, Struggle, Organize: Movement Songs, Political Education, and Collective Power,” and “Abolition Judaism: The Revolutionary Possibilities of Diaspora.”

Organizations like the DSA and the Palestinian Youth Movement are among the sponsors of the conference, which highlights its support from various radical left groups.

The conference’s code of conduct emphasizes a commitment to elevating the voices of marginalized communities, acknowledging that interpersonal harm and harassment exist in society, including within the left. They express a goal of maintaining a conflict-free environment and pledge to address any issues that may arise.

However, the code does not clarify whether calls for political violence from speakers like Piker violate these principles or if threatening rhetoric directed at conservatives is permissible.

Tickets for the full event range from $250 to $500, but subsidized tickets are available for those who identify as students or low-income at a reduced price of $65.