A Con of Your Own: Our 2026 Choose Your Own Adventure C2E2 Preview

Ok, so. Let's just get this out of the way: It's C2E2 weekend, and we're walking in blind. Why? Well, simply put: THEY CHANGED IT ALL! Ok, so, that's not entirely true - I mean, we're still getting The Yard, all of our Chicago favorites from Jackbox and Revolution Brewing to Second City, Anderson Books and more - it's just that THEY CHANGED IT ALL!

Perhaps it's just my anxiety talking. I've been doing these guides for years now, and most of the time, we don't have to talk logistics. Other than: get there early, pack snacks, and if you're in line, prepare to be bored unless you've got a charger or backup battery, books, games, or snacks. Hydrate, comfy shoes - we know the drill.

Except this time, we don't. Guys - the main panel room is no longer. Gone. Like the red carpet. I'm still mad about that, tbh. Anyway, remember our beloved main panel room? You know, where we saw all the cosplay championships, and reunions, and where the music got so loud the floor would shake sometimes? Remember when they sold Connie's pizza and drinks in the back so if you had to cover like 3 big panels you could still eat and drink and stuff? (They took that away too. Harumph.)

Anyway, that's now "The Tavern" which is sort of a medieval, ttrpg, dungeons and dragons sort of meeting place with its own constant programming that you should probably check out. Meanwhile, DOWNSTAIRS by where you enter (near the jumpy water fountains) in what used to be the Will Call room sometimes, is NOW S100, our grand poobah of rooms, The Main Stage.

I'm not sure how this plays out. According to the McCormick Place website, our new Main Panel Room boasts 65000 square feet of space for everyone to cram into. That's honestly a hard amount of square feet to wrap your brain around, especially when it's only a fraction of the stupidly large McCormick Place itself. It's downstairs where you first come in, which to me smells like a traffic jam, especially when you consider the queue hall is also downstairs, but this is supposed to be an improvement. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

Speaking of, let's lace up our shoes and get out our notebooks and figure out where the hell we're going each day of the con, based on our individual interests!

Friday, March 27th

I'm not ready. It's 3 am, and I'm still writing this. If you happen to know what I look like and see me in a panel room, and I'm sleeping, well now you know why.

Let's do the thing though, cuz you're gonna need to know where to go once you get your badge and your bearings, aren'tcha?

If you're an artist, or just want to try your hand at it, Grotesque Burlesque is hosting figure drawing from 11- 12 pm on the Cosplay Central Show Floor so you can do something a little bit sketch to start out your adventure

But if you've got some kiddos you want to shake off a little energy BEFORE you head to a panel room or autograph line, check out Get in Hero Shape for some kid friendly fitness out on the show floor in the Family Interactive area. That's from 11-12 pm and your later self will thank you.

OR

If you're here to make friends that share your nerdy passions, why not try C2E2 Speed Friending in the S406 Lobby (aka, the Tavern Lobby, friends). That's also from 11 to noon.

BUT

If podcasting is your passion and you're a local, why not head to Chicago Podcasters Unite from 12:30 to 1:15 in S401D and plan some crossovers.

Disney adults, be prepared for singing with the Disney Adult Singalong at 1:30 -2:15 in The Yard - this time you're SUPPOSED to belt out Let It Go and Part of Your World and you won't be told to "quiet down" because "this is a library not a concert hall." Sheesh.

OR

If you love adventure games and Nathan Drake, you'd better be at the brand new Main Stage S100 at 1:30 - 2:30 where you can check out Uncharted: Celebrating the Adventure with Nolan North, Richard McGonagle and Emily Rose.

If you've been on the floor all day and running to panels and could use a little chillout with a positive spin and some absolutely stunningly sparkly people - why not head to Drag Story Hour from 2 to 3 pm over in the Family Interactive section of the show floor.

OR

If your brand of relaxing is some party game action, spread out on the fake grass of The Yard from 2:45 to 3:45 for some interactive gaming fun with Jackbox Games.

Hey, you there! You look like you like eyeliner and being sad. (just kidding) Anyway, Panel! At the Disco: The Emo Comic Connect is at 3-4 pm in S403, and you can talk music, wardrobe or anything else your heart desires there.

BUT

Make sure you're not also a huge fan of One Piece! Because Set Sail! The Voices of One Piece is gracing the S404 stage at 3-4 pm also and features Colleen Clinkenbeard and Christopher Sabat.

OR

If you're a fan of classic movies and classic celebs, why not check out Geena Davis, in her A League of Her Own panel at 3-4 pm on our new Main Stage in S100.

Here's a place we'll stop to say - there's great things going on on the show floor and beyond every single day of the con, and one of those things is all the gaming stuff out on the floor over in Side Quest, run by Chicago's very own Kevin Fair of I Play Games along with many other collaborators, to include the incredible Galloping Ghost Arcade - but KFair and his crew are the real deal and all of his tournaments are well run and tons of fun because this is what he does - and does well.

We're recommending the Street Fighter 6 tourney on Friday night because of how much fun we had last year stumbling upon it while scooping the loop - we couldn't help but want to join in and honestly - do it. Sign up, join in, and game. It's at Side Quest on the show floor from 4-7 pm.

If you're an anime fan, head to S402B for Anime Trivia from 5:15 to 6:15

OR

If you're up for something sexy (?) and you're 18+, check out Cyanide and Happiness' Sexy Game Show from 5:15-6:15

BUT

If you like to rock out the show and go old school, hit up S405 from 5:30 - 6:15 in S405 for music and art, hard core style.

Finally, if you're in for the Late Night Thrills at C2E2, let's do a lightning round of activities. You can go to:

Second City Live Improv from 6-7 pm in S404

The C2E2 Stand-up Comedy Showcase (18+) from 7-8:30 in S403

The C2E2 Talent Show from 7-8:15 pm on the S100 Main Stage

or Fandom Unleashed: The Nerdlesque Show (18+) in S404

Then GO TO BED AND WASH YOUR FACE! It's time for Saturday before you know it.

Saturday, March 28th

Listen, I don't want to tell you this, but I feel like this is a guide, and I have to, or I'm not doing right by you.

The thing is, Saturday is always a massive day. There's always a massive crowd, and there's always a lot of chaos. Think traffic jams that mean you can't get to the Breakfast Club panel (not me last year) and lines that lead you only to overflow rooms which also then fill up. Sad.

Anyway, we're frontloading this day beginning at 11 am, and I'm about to tell you the way you get into a panel with a huge celeb or celebs you MUST SEE that also happen to be must sees for everyone else in Chicago. You go SUPER EARLY and you PLAN TO BE IN LINE FOR HOURS. Like, if you really, really must see these folks, the toll is your time. Get your snacks, drinks, and whatever you can comfortably sit on in line and then see if you can get parking and get in the line before the other 20,000 folks show up.

So, here's the reason I say that.

At 11 am sharp, you Whovians are going to wish you had a TARDIS so you could crash into S404 for Fantastic! A Spotlight on Christopher Eccleston like it wasn't a thing, but you're gonna have to wait like a dumb singlehearted human.

OR

If you're off to see the Scarlet Witch, Elizabeth Olsen basically breaks the entire convention at 11 am in S100 when she takes the stage for The Scarlet Witch and Beyond: Elizabeth Olsen in Conversation.

BUT

If you're not into that, make a reservation for the Gothic Fantasy Tea and Broths Party and Spells in S503 or hit up the KPOP Random Dance! on the Show Floor instead at the same time - 11 -12.

Today's recommended Side Quest tourney is the Mario Kart World one, and it runs from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, so if you're a kart racing fanatic, let's-a-go!

HOWEVER

Daredevil fans should be racing over to the S100 Main Stage because Hell's Kitchen Returns: Daredevil Born Again is starting at 12:30 and runs through 1:30 and yes, Charlie Cox will be there!

Booktokers and beyond might want to check out the Frightening and Fantastic World of James Tynion in S402 at 1:30 to 2:15,

WHILE

West Wing stans should probably be heading over to Walk and Talk: The West Wing with Martin Sheen and Dule Hill from 2:00 to 3:00 in, you guessed it, S100.

Gamers, pay attention- you need to grab a friend and head up to the Pride Lounge in S504 at 3:00 because you can play Blind Mario Kart - which is what it sounds like - you drive, facing away from the screen, and rely on your friend to tell you where to go. Friendships will be made and broken. I'm here for the chaos.

Local and non-local horror and camp fans alike should be there for The Beasts of Berwyn, SVENGOOLIE & The Sven Squad Un-Live! because listen, horror, comedy and chickens. Say less. That's in S403 from 3:30 - 4:30. Be there.

BUT

If you're feeling like some hero action, make sure not to miss You Have Failed This Panel: The Cast of Arrow at 3:30 to 4:30 on S100's Main Stage, with Emily Bett Rickards, David Ramsey and Ashley V Robinson.

Rounding out the afternoon, if you've never been to a Drink and Draw, it's fun and inspiring, and you can just hang out in The Yard for it at 5:45 - 6:45.

OR

If you've got a fursona and you want to meet some other furry friends, there's a meetup at 6:00 on the Show Floor.

BUT

If you're craving D&D action, head to S403 from 6:30 -8 for Improv D&D

For your Saturday night entertainment, hit up the Pride Lounge from 7-9 pm (That's S504)

OR

Marvel at amazing cosplay with the Cosplay Crown Championship Regional Qualifier and US Finals - 7:30 to 9:30 on the Mainstage, that's S100 to you.

Then it's TIME FOR BED, SUNDAY IS UPON US

Sunday, March 29th

Ok, you clever girls and guys and theys and those. It's time to go. Sunday isn't pulling any punches, and I will literally die if we don't dive right into this Sunday schedule now.

You're headed to the park first - Welcome to Jurassic Park: A Reunion with the Original Cast kicks off the day at our S100 Main Stage with BD Wong, Ariana Richards, Joseph Mazzello, Wayne Knight, Ashley V Robinson. That's at 10:30 to 11:30 so you need to hear me when I say: get there early.

BUT

Forget that if you'd just rather relive your KPop Demon Hunters fun and sing a long. That's happening in the Tavern (S406) from 11 - 11:45.

Disney Adults and people who were obsessed with the Little Mermaid like me forever - Part of Your World: Celebrating The Little Mermaid is from 11:00 - 12:00 in S404 and it has Jodi Benson - yes, for real, it's Ariel - but also, Christopher Daniel Barnes - Eric! That's a hell of a rarity and I think I need to go to see this.

Gamers, if you're into things like, I dunno, Halo, maybe go see Finish the Fight: A Spotlight on Steve Downes. That'll be in S401 from 12:15 - 1pm.

OR

Say hail yes to Hail Hydra! A Spotlight on Brett Dalton in S404 from 12:30 to 1:30 - you know, if you like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or a myriad other cool pop culture things.

If you're ready to queue up for a Marvel panel, you should get goin', because 1:30 pm is clobberin' time. That's the It's Clobberin' Time: The Cast of Fantastic Four panel on the Main Stage in S100, by the way, with Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Chiklis and Ashley V Robinson.

BUT

If interstellar adventure and friendship are your ultimate goals, let's stick around because the Spotlight on Andy Weir- you know, the author who brought us the AMAZE Project Hail Mary, is having his spotlight Sunday from 2- 3pm in S404. But don't tell anyone, because I'm pretty sure since the movie's been so popular, we're gonna blow out those doors. Maybe they should move it to S100, question?

There's plenty more on the main schedule as per us, my lovelies, so make sure to check that out, and maybe download the C2E2 app, since you can set reminders for panels you'd hate to miss. This is a small sampling of the larger programming and as always we encourage you to try new things, and go outside your comfort zone - it's what makes your convention experience something truly unforgettable. That said, C2E2 is our favorite con of the year for good reason - it's not 'just another convention' with the same celebs and panels - it's full of great things you can only get, see, eat and do in Chicago, and full of our lore and personality, and we wouldn't miss it for the world. Unless we're still sleeping, since this hasn't published and it's almost 5 am. Did I mention if you see me on the floor I'll be sleeping in a corner? Cuz...well...yeah.

It's a brand new day, and the sun is high. All the nerds are coming and I'm gonna die... bonus points if you can tell me what that's from. Culture Combine Out. On the Floor. All Convention Long. Cosplay, interviews, and more. Stay tuned.