Although Chicon 8 isn’t scheduled to take place until September 2022, that doesn’t mean Chicago is lacking in activities for the science fiction and fantasy minded visitor (or resident). Come back to this page to find out what is going on in Chicago and the suburbs that you can take advantage of.
Windy City Pulp and Paper Convention
Westin Lombard Yorktown Center
70 Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL
May 6-8, 2022
A convention that celebrates pulp magazines and artwork, but with a wide range of popular culture products and a massive auction of original art.
A Celebration of Sherlock Holmes
DePaul University
1 E. Jackson Street
May 7, 2022
The DePaul Pop Culture Conference is an annual fan/academic event at DePaul University. We host thoughtful discussions from fans, scholars, and media makers from around the world to engage in conversation about popular culture and cult media. Each year’s event is themed for an important Pop Culture moment. The 2022 conference, which will be held May 07, is focused on Sherlock Holmes.
The Auditorium Theatre
50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive
8:00 PM May 13, 2022
Neil Gaiman, comes to the historic Auditorium Theatre. Neil Gaiman is an English author infamous for his short stories and novels. He also produces comic books, graphic novels, films and audio theatre. Some of his most notable works include Stardust, American Gods, Good Omens and Neverwhere. His 2008 novel, The Graveyard Book, won both the Newbery and Carnegie medals, making Gaiman the first author to win both those awards for the same work. His work The Ocean at the End of the Lane was voted Book of the Year at the British National Book Awards. Gaiman has also won the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards. In recent years, his works have been adapted for several motion pictures, TV shows, and stage productions. Besides his work as an author, Gaiman has brought his stories to the world of television. He has also worked on many other projects in television, radio and public performances. Come hear Neil Gaiman live and learn more about his stories and craft.
Chicago Cultural Center, sponsored by the American Writers Museum
78 E. Washington Street
May 15, 2022
Four tracks of discussions on a wide range of topics running from 10:00 through 6:30, including Chicon 8 Special Guest Dr. Eve L. Ewing in conversation with Ashley C. Ford and Chicon 7 Toastmaster John Scalzi in conversation with Michi Trota. Dr. Ewing will also be leading a round table discussion “The Future of Black.” A full schedule is available on their website.
Ray Bradbury: Inextinguishable
American Writers Museum
180 N. Michigan Avenue
Through May, 2022
Ray Bradbury is perhaps best-known for writing Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, and The Illustrated Man. He was much more than those stories though: a screenplay writer, a friend to Walt Disney, and an amateur painter, just to name a few.
From a young age, Ray was obsessed with finding a way to live forever. He will certainly be remembered for his writing, but his influence elsewhere may surprise you.
Bill Sienkiewicz: Pop Culture Revolution
Dunn Museum
1899 West Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL
Though September 5
Bill Sienkiewicz is an Eisner-winning and Emmy-nominated artist, best known for revolutionizing the style of comic and graphic novel illustration over the past four decades. Landmark works such as Marvel Comics’ Elektra: Assassin and his acclaimed graphic novel Stray Toasters, have earned him an international reputation and cult status across media industries. This exhibition showcases sketches and original paintings spanning the artist’s career from the 1980s to present day. View over 60 works of art and video interviews to discover how Sienkiewicz’s renderings incorporate abstract and expressionist influences.
Donald E. Stephen Convention Center
5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL
May 20-22
Anime Central is an annual three-day anime convention organized by the Midwest Animation Promotion Society.
It Came from Outer Space: A New Musical
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Navy Pier
June 22-July 24
A new musical comedy adapted from the ‘50s cult classic sci-fi film from Universal Pictures by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, LIVE in thrilling 3D! Amateur astronomer Jon Putnam encounters an alien spaceship in the desert and becomes the laughingstock of his small town—until the extraterrestrial visitors make their presence known and he must convince the gathering mob that they have come in peace. A clever musical score and creative physical humor puts a new spin on Ray Bradbury’s flying saucer tale, examining society’s fear of outsiders as it simultaneously embraces the wonder of what lies just beyond the stars.
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL
July 7-10
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.
Hyatt Regency O’Hare
9300 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, IL
July 15-17
G-FEST is the largest regular gathering of Godzilla and Japanese monster fans in the world. Held each summer, it typically attracts more than 1000 attendees, but has seen a gradual increase in attendance over the past few years. G-FEST 2019, its 26th anniversary, was the most successful convention to date, bringing in about 3,500 Japanese science fiction and fantasy film fans!
McCormick Place
2301 S. King Drive
August 5-7
The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo is a Chicago fan convention dedicated to comics, pop culture, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television.
Chicago White Sox (Baseball)
Guaranteed Rate Field
333 W. 35th Street
The White Sox will be playing in Chicago for most of the duration of Chicon 8. From August 26 through 28, they’ll be playing the Arizona Diamondbacks. They’ll face off against the Kansas City Royals from August 30 through September 1. Finally, between September 2 and 4, they’ll play the Minneapolis Twins. They begin a road trip on September 5.
Chicago Cubs (Baseball)
Wrigley Field
1040 W. Addison
Unfortunately, the Chicago Cubs will be playing out of town from August 26 through September 5. If you plan on staying in Chicago beyond the end of Chicon 8, they will be playing the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field from September 6 through 8 an the San Francisco Giants from September 9 through 11.
Chicago Fire (Soccer)
Soldier Field
1410 Special Olympics Drive
Chicago’s MLS team will only be playing one home game during the period in which fans are likely to be visiting for Chicon 8. On August 28, they will host CF Montreal.