By John Segreto
Every year, a ripple in space and time brings hundreds of Doctor Who fans to Long Island—not for just another fan convention, but for one that still feels personal.
Since its 2013 debut, LI Who has become Long Island’s premier Doctor Who convention by staying true to its roots: fan-first, intimate, and full of heart. A weekend full of panels, cosplay, collectibles, and celebrity appearances, LI Who offers a lot more than just photo ops and merchandise. For many attendees, it’s a space to connect, recharge, and revisit a show that’s meant the world to them—surrounded by people who get it.
The show will be held August 22–24 at the Holiday Inn in Holbrook. Weekend passes (including Friday) range from $40 to $79, while the full-access experience with premium perks runs $299.
“It’s a lot more social,” said Ken Deep, the showrunner and lifelong Doctor Who fan who’s been guiding the convention from the very start. “The people who are putting this on are just as much fans as the ones who are attending, so there’s a care here.”
That sense of care is exactly what Deep is determined to preserve, even as the convention’s popularity grows. Scaling up too fast, he said, risks losing the magic.
“As a fan-run event, every dollar we make is poured back into the convention,” Deep said. “To make it better every year, it starts with people having a good time.”
To keep the magic intact, Deep is exploring ways to grow the con without losing what makes it special. A bigger venue might help meet the demand, but logistical hurdles make that tricky. For now, he’s focused on refining what’s already working: tightening panel schedules, adding more interactive experiences, and curating thoughtful discussions that go deeper into the Doctor Who universe.
“I’m not in a rush to see this get bigger,” he said. “It’s more about people telling their friends that they had a great time, and then they join them next year. I like that kind of growth because it’s sincere and genuine.”
Of course, a major draw each year is the guest lineup, and 2025’s includes a mix of first-timers and returning favorites. For Deep, choosing guests is both instinctual and fan-driven.
“I’ve been actively involved in fandom for so long that it’s kind of in my DNA,” Deep said. “But a big part of it is listening to people. Fans will tell you what they want, and when they do, it’s really important to hear them.”
While budget and availability can pose limits, Deep and his team work hard to balance fan requests with guests they know will leave an impact.
“It’s a bit like musicians writing a song they love and hoping others love it too,” he said. “We’ll bring in people we know are incredible guests, and even if someone didn’t come to the con for them, they often leave saying, ‘Wow, I’ve got to go home and watch all your episodes.’ That’s a great feeling.”
This year, the con is welcoming Doctor Who’s Fugitive Doctor, Jo Martin, for the first time. “She’s brought a real sense of mystery back to the character,” Deep said. “And we’re thrilled to welcome her for the first time at LI Who.”
Alongside newcomers, LI Who also brings back familiar faces who’ve formed deep bonds with the community. Fraser Hines, who played a companion during the Second Doctor’s era in the 1960s, attended every single year.
“He just loves the people,” Deep said. “He remembers fans, asks how their kids are doing, follows up on things they told him the year before. That kind of connection when someone you admire remembers your name is almost indescribable.”
Still, what keeps people coming back isn’t just the chance to meet their favorite Time Lords. It’s the energy of the community, the spontaneous conversations, the shared references, and the sense that everyone there is part of something a little bigger than themselves.
“What makes this con special is that there’s ways of meeting new friends and bringing your own friends,” Deep said. “We have one of the most up-close and personal conventions you’ll ever attend.”
In a landscape full of mega-cons and corporate expos, LI Who offers a reminder that sometimes, the best fan experiences happen on a smaller scale—one panel or one heartfelt conversation at a time.
Click here for our ultimate list of cons on Long Island for 2025!
John Segreto is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
