2026 Blackyard Collective
National Conference
Friday, October 9th - Monday, October 12th
Tahquitz Pines Retreat, Idyllwild, CA
Imagine 135 Black queer and trans people from across the country gathering to rest, laugh, heal, and dream together.
The first-ever Blackyard Collective National Conference is our homecoming—a sacred space centered on Black queer and trans people in recovery. Rooted in joy, healing, and collective liberation, we’ll come together to deepen our recovery, celebrate our brilliance, amplify our voices, and imagine our future TOGETHER.
PAYMENT OPTIONS AND DETAILS
Registration is SOLD OUT!!!
Registration is $500 and includes: Lodging, meals, programming, and bus transportation (LA to Idyllwild).
Interested in being of Service at the Conference???
✈️ Time to Book Your Flight
If you have already registered for the 2026 Blackyard Collective National Conference, now is a great time to secure your airfare.
Current round-trip airfare from the New York City area (JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark) to Los Angeles is averaging around $500, though prices will vary depending on your departure city, airline, and booking date. We encourage attendees to begin monitoring fares and booking flights as soon as possible, as prices often increase closer to the conference.
Arrival Requirements
To ensure you can take advantage of conference transportation to Idyllwild and participate in opening conference activities, please schedule your flight to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) no later than 11:00 AM on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Departure Requirements
Conference programming concludes on Monday afternoon. Please schedule your return flight to depart from LAX no earlier than 4:00 PM on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Airport Transportation
The Blackyard Collective will provide scheduled transportation between LAX and the conference site in Idyllwild. Additional details regarding shuttle schedules and pickup locations will be shared in the coming months.
Travel Tips
• Book early. Airfare is typically less expensive several months in advance than it is closer to the travel date.
• Set fare alerts. Google Flights, Kayak, Hopper, and other travel apps can notify you when prices change.
• Double-check your arrival and departure times. Flights arriving after 11:00 AM on Friday or departing before 4:00 PM on Monday may not align with conference transportation schedules.
• Consider a carry-on bag. Traveling light can make airport transfers and shuttle transportation easier.
• Coordinate with other attendees.Many participants will be traveling from the same regions and may be interested in sharing airport time or connecting before departure.
We are excited to welcome you to California for this historic gathering of Black queer and trans people in recovery. Thank you for registering—we can't wait to be in community with you this October.
The Blackyard Collective is a registered 501(c)(3) organization (Federal Tax ID # 88-3641425) and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.