Fest News: 10 Not-To-Miss at FAN EXPO Chicago, Aug 14-16, 2025
Fest News: 10 Not-To-Miss at FAN EXPO Chicago, Aug 14-16, 2026
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 11, 2026 – 12:51pmPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friend
CHICAGO – FANEXPO Chicago 2026, the region’s longest-running comic and pop culture convention, is coming this weekend … August 14th-16th at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. For ticket/pass/schedule information, click FANEXPO Chicago.
Celebrities at Fan Expo Chicago 2026
Photo credit: FanExpoHQ.com/FanExpoChicago
HollywoodChicago will be there, through the lens of photographer Joe Arce and the interviews by intrepid reporter Patrick McDonald. Also, here are 10 highlights of the convention for both newbies and veterans to check out. See you there!
Meet Your Favorite Celebrities
This year’s all-star roster includes some of the world’s biggest pop culture icons, ncluding superstar Kurt Russell in his first-ever convention appearance; LORDOFTHERINGS stars Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, and John Rhys-Davies; THEGOONIES castmates Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton, Joe Pantoliano, and Kerri Green; STARTREK’s William Shatner, Walter Koenig, Gates McFadden, and Brent Spiner; HALLOWEEN director John Carpenter; iconic actor Danny Glover; SMALLVILLE cast members Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, and Erica Durance; SUPERNATURAL star Jared Padalecki; THEBOYS stars Karl Urban, Erin Moriarty, Karen Fukuhara, Valorie Curry, Tomer Capone, and Colbie Minifie; and Chicago’s own Mr. T and Rob Colletti. For the full list, click CELEBRITIES.
Meet Your Favorite VoiceOver Artists
Meet the people behind some of the most popular animated characters in pop culture at FANEXPO Chicago. From classic films to the television shows and Anime of today, we’re welcoming voice actors including Sam Witwer, Keith David, Jason Marsden, the Hazbin Hotel stars, and more. You’ve heard them…now meet them in person! For the full list, click VOICEOVER.
Meet Your Favorite Comic Book Creators
FANEXPO Chicago honors its 53-year legacy as the longest-running comic convention in the Midwest, putting comic creators front and center. This year, featured guests include the legendary Frank Miller, Scott Snyder, Dan Mora, Erica Schultz, Frank Cho, Amanda Conner, Pablo Villialobos, and more at the cutting edge of their industry! For a list of appearances, click COMICBOOK.
One of the great joys of FANEXPO Chicago is bringing fans together to celebrate the community of fandom, and nowhere is that more evident than on the Cosplay Red Carpet. Wear your best costume and walk the carpet while your friends and fellow fans cheer you on and snap pics – or just watch the incredibly talented cosplay creators show off their wardrobes.
Elijah Wood of LORDOFTHERINGS, Photo by Joe Arce
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
The fun doesn’t stop when the floor closes! After-hours programs keep the show going late into the evening throughout the weekend. At Villains After Dark, the baddies take the stage; Anime After Dark offers DJs, cosplay, and voice actor appearances; check out Raks Geek, the Bellydancing Wookie + Friends; and dance the night away with LORD OF THE RINGS fans at the One Party to Rule Them All. The whole schedule is available by clicking AFTERHOURS.
The FANEXPO Chicago Community Zone is the place for guests to discover fan communities right in their backyard, connect with local enthusiasts, learn about events, and get some great photo ops in the process. This year, see the TARDIS and get photo ops with DOCTORWHO cosplayers; get cosplay tips and tricks from Chicagoland Cosplay Creations; learn about horror writing with the Horror Writers Association; and stop by the Voice Actor College to speak to actual voice coaches.
Bizarro Wrestling and Foam Battle Fighting
Bizarro Wrestling and Foam Battle Fighting brings Multi-Versal Mania to FANEXPO Chicago, incorporating wrestling, mixed martial arts, high-flying acts, and joy with foam for an electric show plus interactive that are full of passion, intensity and fun.
In a FANEXPO Chicago first, check out a curated selection of short films made by fans, for fans at the FANEXPO Fan Film Fest. On Saturday August 15 at 4:15 p.m., attend a special screening of the five finalist films inspired by this year’s theme, celebrating the spirit of fandom and imagination.
FANEXPO Chicago’s Kids’ Zone features programming for all ages, including animation workshops; the Kids’ Cosplay Red Carpet; Cosplay Story Time; a slime-making session; and the Force Academy, where Padawans and younglings aged 6 – 15 can learn some basic lightsaber skills. On Friday, check out a special show by Dennis Christie, M.D., the master deceptionist and sleight-of-hand artist!
Shop hundreds of retailers from all over to make your experience unforgettable. From finding that rare comic book, stunning original artwork, graphic novels, memorabilia, games, toys, or tee-shirts – you’ll find it all here.
FANEXPO Chicago will take place at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, on August 14th-16th, 2026. For complete information, click FanExpoHQ.com/FanExpoChicago.
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