August 15 - 17, 2025
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
BEGINS IN:
- 00Days
- 00Hrs
- 00Mins
- 00Secs
FAMILY ATTRACTIONS
Get ready for fun for the whole family. Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive family updates.
KIDS' ZONE
Stop by our Kids' Zone where you can experience activities the whole family can enjoy. Snap pics with your favorite characters, learn some new skills at workshops, and join in on panels made just for the kids (and kids at heart).
DIVE INTO COMICS AND ANIMATION
Explore the world of art and animation with demos and workshops all weekend long. Join Emmy® Award-winning cartoonist Joe Wos as he teaches you how to draw cartoons and discover the world of storytelling with U Cre-8.
KIDS' COSPLAY RED CARPET
It's FAN EXPO Chicago's cutest event. Come cheer on the cosplay stars of tomorrow at the Kids' Cosplay Red Carpet on Sunday. Get ready to shine, little ones.
SLIME TIME ANYONE?
It's time for some slime. Make slime worthy of Slimer himself and test your ghostly knowledge with the Windy City Ghostbusters. While supplies last.
Saturday, August 17 - 12:00 PM
Sunday, August 18 - 2:30 PM
COSPLAY STORY TIME
Join cosplayers for an interactive story time experience as your favorite superheroes and princesses help bring these tales to life! On Saturday, August 17 at 11:00 AM in the Kids Zone, join us for Princess Storytime. Then on Sunday, August 18 at 11:00 AM in the Kids Zone, join Chicagoland Cosplay Creations as they read stories as Walt Disney, Jim Henson, and Stan Lee.
FORCE ACADEMY
Is the Force strong with you? Calling all Padawans and younglings (ages 6-15) for an interactive lightsaber training experience hosted by Jedi Masters from Chicago's professional stage combatants, Counterfeit Combat.
KIDS' ZONE PHOTO PARK
Snap a picture that's worth more than a thousand words at the Kids' Zone Photo Park. Whether you’re a Jedi youngling, an aspiring princess, or a young wizard, cosplaying is fun for the whole family. Take pics in our photo sets all weekend long and get the ultimate family photo!
CONVENTION FOAM FIGHTING
The battlefield awaits. Learn to duel with Convention Foam Fighting during one of their combat sessions. They'll be providing foam sabers for participants, so you can safely and confidently dive into one of their 1v1 or team-based battle games. Whether you're a seasoned fighter or a curious newcomer, you won't want to miss this exhilarating world of melee combat.