FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 is only a few weeks away, so I hope that you’re starting to plan your weekend. If not, I’m here to help by highlighting some of the special events taking place over the weekend of August 10th-13th. The best part is that some of these take place outside of the normal convention hours, so you can keep celebrating long after the convention floor closes for the day!
Rocky Horror Bingo Show (18+)
If you’re a fan of the cult favorite The Rocky Horror Show, then you’re in luck! Thursday night at 8:30pm, there will be a special screening of the show hosted by FreeN’ Fun Bar Bingo featuring costumes, bingo games, and plenty of prizes!
***Please note this is an 18+ only event.
Drawing Jam
If you’d prefer to spend Thursday night drawing, then the Drawing Jam at 8:30pm may be just the thing for you. The event is open to everyone, regardless of your drawing skills.
Critical Strike Nerdlesque Variety Show (18+)
Combining your favorite fandoms and the art of burlesque, NerdDoms Universe brings to you the Critical Strike Nerdlesque Variety Show on Thursday Night at 9pm. Join the NerdDoms Universe artists as they use both popular music and original parody songs to bring fan-favorite characters to life with fun, hilarious twists through cabaret acts.
Tickets are available for $20 each here.
***Please note this is an 18+ only event.
Twilight Parody Shadowcast
It’s a movie that many love to hate, or just plain love. Regardless of your feelings either way about Twilight, this might be just the event for you! NerdDoms Universe will be hosting a screening of the film Friday night at 5pm in they style of Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings. Be prepared for plenty in audience interaction, props, and much more!
Tickets are available for $20 each here.
K-Pop Night: Official FAN EXPO Chicago After-Party
FAN EXPO Chicago’s official after-party this year is K-Pop-themed! Held at Joe’s Live Rosemont, get ready to dance the night away to popular tunes by your favorite K-Pop group. You can also enjoy curated drink specials, merchandise, raffle giveaways, and much more! The event starts at 9pm on Saturday night with doors opening at 8pm, so be sure to get there early!
Tickets are available for $15 in advance here and $18 at the door.
***This event is 21+ only.
Escape Rooms
If you’re looking for some unique fun during the convention day, there are a number of escape rooms available for attendees to choose from for an additional price. Read the descriptions below and see which unique story catches your interest!
The Last Masquerade Escape Room
Prince Prospero’s lavish masquerade ball has turned into a nightmare. The Red Death has snuck into the castellated abbey and, one-by-one, the partygoers are succumbing to the terrible plague. Your only hope to escape is to find the masks of those who died tragically, learn the stories, and ultimately earn their favor.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Secret Aboard Starship Astraeus Escape Room
Fire positron beams at enemy ships. Pilot the Astro Rover through space! Grow alien babies from eggs. Negotiate with hostile aliens! Master faster-than-light travel! And discover a secret that will change the galaxy… but only if you survive. Test your wits, guile and teamwork in this high tech interactive adventure room.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Available Thursday and Saturday only.
Discovery of Starship Astraeus Escape Room
Blast your way through an asteroid field! Decipher ancient alien ruins, battle enemy starships, study alien creatures, and explore a planet that may yield an incredible discovery… but only if you survive. Test your wits, guile and teamwork in this high tech adventure room where your choices determine your ending.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Available Friday and Sunday only.
Drink ‘N Draw
When the con floor closes on Sunday evening, there’s still a bit more fun to be had. Come out to Pete’s Tiki Tiki in Rosemont for a Drink ‘N Draw to show off your drawing skills! All skill levels are welcome to join host Joe Wos starting at 5:30pm, and you could win some of the over $500 in prizes!
FAN EXPO Chicago is the ultimate go-to event for sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Chicago that attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
FAN EXPO Chicago offers exciting family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned Celebrities! The show, which started as Chicago Comic Con in 1972 and became Wizard World Chicago in 1998, has featured celebrities and creators like Stan Lee, Michael J. Fox, John Travolta, Carrie Fisher, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, WWE® Superstar John Cena®, David Boreanaz and many more headliners.
Everyone is a fan of something, and FAN EXPO Chicago is a place to celebrate all things pop culture. Get an autograph or a photo with your favorite guest then get the inside scoop about your favorite movies and TV shows at our celebrity panels! Watch professional comic artists battle it out in our popular Sketch Duels, learn from our “How To” workshops, and take photos with your favorite costumed characters! It’s also a great place to buy a unique gift (or treat yourself!) with a huge show floor for shopping madness.
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Join tens of thousands of fans who are just like you and experience the ultimate playground for comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming.
Four days of citywide events, family-friendly attractions and world-renowned celebrities await!
Show Hours:
Thursday: 4 PM – 9 PM
Friday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Location:
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018
(847) 692-2220
Convention – FAN EXPO Chicago
FAN EXPO HQ is the largest comic con producer in the world. Collectively, it hosts nearly 1 million fans annually at FAN EXPO Canada, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Denver, Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo, FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Dallas, FAN EXPO Boston, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, Edmonton Comics & Entertainment Expo, FAN EXPO San Francisco, Toronto Comicon, FAN EXPO Cleveland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO Vancouver, and Dallas FAN FESTIVAL. The list of upcoming events is available here, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong.
***images courtesy of FAN EXPO Chicago
