The 2026 Fan Expo Chicago Preview
The Fan Expo Chicago is the ultimate go-to event for sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming in Chicago. Formerly known as Wizard World Chicago, this three-day event is a haven for fans of pop culture, comics, filmmaking, and art. This year’s Chicago Fan Expo takes place from Friday, August 14th, through Sunday, August 16th, at the Donald E. Stephenson Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Here are some of the exciting things taking place at the 2026 Fan Expo Chicago.
Main Events
The big headliner at this year’s Fan Expo Chicago is actor Kurt Russell, who is making his first-ever comic convention appearance. The Backdraft and Escape from New York actor will appear at the Fan Expo on Saturday, August 15th, and Sunday, August 16th, taking pictures and signing autographs for fans, and capping off this year’s Expo with Kurt Russell Live on Sunday evening.
Other celebrities attending this year’s Fan Expo Chicago include:
- Oscar-winning director and Lethal Weapon actor Mel Gibson
- Actor Michael Johnston, fresh off his success in this year’s smash hit Obsession
- Two iconic horror directors in John Carpenter and Sam Raimi
- Back to the Future and Addams Family legend Christopher Lloyd
- And many more.
Casts and Reunions
Maybe the only thing rivaling the appearance of Kurt Russell is the several cast members of The Lord of the Rings franchise, most notably, the reunion of the Hobbits, Elijah Wood, Sean Aston, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd. Other Lord of the Rings cast members making an appearance include Karl Urban and John Rhys-Davies.
Other exciting reunions taking place at the 2026 Fan Expo Chicago include:
- The Goonies (with Sean Astin, Joe Pantoliano, Robert Davi, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton)
- The Thing (with Kurt Russell, John Carpenter, and Keith David)
- The Boys (with Erin Moriarty, Karen Fukuhara, Tomer Capone, Laz Alonso, Valorie Curry, Cameron Crovetti, and Colby Minifie)
- Hocus Pocus (with Thora Birch, Omri Katz, Jason Marsden, and Vinessa Shaw)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (with Judith Hoag, Brian Tochi, Ernie Reyes Jr., Kenn Scott, and Robbie Rist)
Actors
The Fan Expo Chicago also includes a slew of great actors from TV and movies, and this year’s lineup is stacked. Along with the names listed above, other actors making an appearance include:
- Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy actor Ron Perlman
- Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover
- Rocky IV and action star Dolph Lundgren
- Dean Norris from Breaking Bad
- Bio-Dome and Encino Man actor Pauly Shore
Other Attractions
But the Fan Expo Chicago isn’t just celebrities; there’s plenty of things to do and see while there. Like Artists Alley, which features dozens of artists showing off their work. The Cosplay Red Carpet, highlighting the best Cosplay at the Expo. A LEGO Brick Zone where people can express their creativity with LEGOs. Plus random trivia, scavenger hunts, art classes, and much, much more.
You can find more information about the 2026 Fan Expo Chicago and purchase tickets by visiting the Fan Expo Chicago main website.
The 2026 Fan Expo Chicago takes place from Friday, August 14th, through Sunday, August 16th, at the Donald E. Stephenson Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
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