[Cosplay Photos] FAN EXPO Chicago 2023: Thursday (Pt.1)

April Carvelli Avatar

FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 returned to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on August 10th and runs though August 13th for their 2023 show.

The first day of FAN EXPO Chicago is always a little slow. This is the day to scope out the place and get the lay of the land. In some ways, I was impressed with they did this year. In others, disappointed.

Once again, there is only one hall in use for the event, which means that some of the vendor rows are tight. A few of them felt crowded and with Thursday’s meager crowd, I can only imagine how packed they will be on a Saturday. The Community (a.k.a. cosplay) area was well laid out, or at least I thought it was until I found several of the guest cosplayers shoved over in a corner by Artist Alley. Several of them are over in the “Comic Pro” area across from the Creator Stage. Please be sure to visit them.

Floor layout

One of the my biggest complaints is the heat; you can feel a few fans blowing occasionally, but there is no air conditioning. If you plan to bring a warmer costumer, be prepared to melt. I was in a t-shirt and jeans, in a time with minimal crowd, and it was almost too warm. If they don’t get the AC on by Saturday, we will all die.

Related Coverage:

FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Thursday (Pt. 1)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Red Carpet Thursday (Pt. 2)

FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Friday (Pt. 1)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Friday (Pt. 2)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Friday (Pt. 3)

FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Saturday (Pt. 1)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Saturday (Pt. 2)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Saturday (Pt. 3)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Saturday (Pt. 4)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Saturday (Pt. 5)

FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Sunday (Pt. 1)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Sunday (Pt. 2)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Sunday (pt. 3)
FAN EXPO Chicago 2023 Cosplay Sunday (Pt. 4)

Reptiles Random Review: FAN EXPO Chicago 2023

Seeing as it was only Thursday, there wasn’t a lot of cosplay but there was some good stuff. Stay tuned for more Thursday photos which will be put up as time allows. I have the red carpet and the cosplayer groups to put up.

Here are the floor cosplay photos I took Thursday at FAN EXPO Chicago 2023!

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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.

Fan Expo Chicago 2022 Thursday

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.


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


To see what Cosplay Conventions are coming to your area,
be sure to check out our Cosplay Convention List!

Cosplay Convention List 2023

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.

April Carvelli Avatar