Fan Expo Chicago 2025 Choose Your Own Adventure PREVIEW!

Marielle Bokor
Aug 14
12 min read

Just off the heels of Lolla, with Riot Fest on the horizon, it’s time to roll out the nerd carpet in Rosemont for Fan Expo Chicago!

Back when the Wiz was in town, we’d already be on the floor, but tonight we’re hard at work crafting our traditional Choose Your Own Adventure preview so you can craft your own unique con experience based on your personal preferences.

And, if you’re new to conventions, or just want a little sage advice, we’re here for you. After all, we’ve been covering conventions for over a decade!

You’ll need comfy shoes, charged phones (pack a charger!) snacks, and water. Especially for summer cons, water’s important, and while it is usually available outside the panel rooms, packing your own can really help in a pinch.

A few more pieces of advice?

Carry some cash (not all artists/booths take cards),
Interact with other congoers who share your interests, and try something new. Some of our favorite con moments have come when we’ve participated in improv DnD, went to a comedy show, done arts and crafts and attended sing-a-longs or drink and draws. Compliment cosplayers, catch a cosplay meetup, or even attend after hours events. Find people who enjoy your favorite fandoms and maybe explore a few more.
Oh yeah, and don’t miss Artist’s Alley! While all the merch is enticing, what you’ll find on artist’s alley is often one of a kind and made by the very same person sitting in front of you.

Now that you’re properly prepped, let’s see what’s on the menu for this year’s Fan Expo. 2025’s convention brings a ridiculously star-studded list of celebrities and while that’s gonna mean packed panel rooms and long autograph lines, it’s also going to be a hell of a lot of fun - IF you’re prepared and know where to be when based on your interests - which is where this preview comes in.

This is the way:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15TH

Welcome to Fan Expo 2025! Doors open at the Donald E Stephenson Convention Center at 4, but traffic in Rosemont and its surrounds are consistently chaotic, so if you’re planning not to miss anything on the schedule in its first few hours (yes, really) then plan on pulling into parking at least by 3, if not earlier.

Here’s what to explore on Friday at 4:

Comic fans may want to head to THEATER #4 for the Spotlight on Comic Writers with Kyle Higgins and Melissa Flores

BUT

Hazbin-verse fans may be headed from the parking lot to the MAIN THEATER at 4:15 PM for a great big panel featuring Morgana Inis, Alex Brightman, Vivian Nixon Williams, Bryce Pinkham, Richard Horvitz

If you’re a theater nerd, tabletop geek or some combination therein, theTwenty Sided Tavern returns with a whole new campaign, two years after we got our last fix. If you’re new to on stage DnD, it’s amazing in every form we’ve ever seen it in - an unforgettable, immersive, hilarious adventure that hypes you up for your home campaign or encourages you to create a brand new one.

Roundabout 5 PM, when it’s quitting time for the Muggles and they’re getting on the road to do whatever you do when you don’t go out and do amazing nerdy things, you’ve got other choices to make:

If, high off the Twenty Sided Tavern, you’d like to stay in the game, whether bedecked or not, head over to check out the Dungeons and Dragons Cosplay Meetup in the Cosplay Photo Park at 5:15 PM

If you’re a gamer who’s been waiting to drop in on some tournaments, hang out with Texas Gaming Empire in the GAMING ZONE AT 5:15 PM for a Strive tourney.

BUT

If you’re a cartoon lover who adores meeting the voices behind your favorite characters? Your first shot at iconic behind the scenes stories from even more iconic voice actors comes at 5:15 PM in THEATER #3

If you’ve got nostalgia for HALO, you’ll need to head over to the MAIN THEATER AT 5:30 PM for a voice acting panel featuring Master Chief (Steve Downes), Cortana (Jen Taylor) and Spark (Tim Dadabo)

MEANWHILE

Naruto fans might want to run (normally or, you know, not) over to THEATER #2, for the Believe It! The Naruto Voice Actor Q&A at 5:45 PM

Wayward sons might want to carry on to PROGRAMMING ROOM C at 6:15 PM to talk Supernatural and all related things. This is a trivia panel so see if you can reign supreme with your team.

Another fantastic idea, especially if you’re bringing the nerdlings along, is to get your sparkle on and get thee to the KIDS ZONE AT 6:30 PM for a Classic Princess Ball - there’s singing, dancing and games to play WHILE wearing tiaras and twirling. Get magical.

Here’s the realest, most agonizing choice for Friday night though. Voice acting/animation fans - get ready to learn the art of the half and half, because you’ve got

The Voices Behind Your Pixel Crushes - Nick Apostolides, Nadjji Jeter, Todd Haberkorn, Sam Roukin, Chris Wehkamp and Kyle Hebert at 6:45 PM in THEATER 3 which represents fine IP like Resident Evil, Spiderman and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

BUT

ALSO AT 6:45 PM you’ve got Mastering the Elements with the Cast of Avatar: Zacy Tyler Eisen, Jack De Sena, Greg Baldwin, Dante Basco, Michaela Jill Murphy and Mae Whitman in the MAIN THEATER.

We’re not gonna tell you what to do, because we don’t know ourselves. 😀

At 7 PM IN THEATER #2 things finally heat up for Horror fans AND Film nerds alike with the Bursting Into the Scene With The Cast of Aliens featuring William Hope, Ricco Ross, Mark Rolston, Jenette Goldstein, and Paul Reiser. If you’re into Aliens, this is your panel.

We can throw you a wild card and suggest the Entertainment to Die For: Media in North Korea panel at 7:15 PM in PROGRAMMING ROOM B. It’s one thing to risk looking like a dork for something you like and an entire other thing to actually run the risk of jail or worse and still stanning your favorite fandoms. In North Korea, it’s hard to be a fan and even harder to get a glimpse of North Korean culture.

At 7:45 PM Anime fans can talk Fruits Basket with the That S Isn’t a Typo: Fruits Basket Q&A with Jad Saxton in THEATER #3.

Hit up THEATER #2 for some time with the cast of Reno 911! Get some great stories from both Cedric Yarbrough and Thomas Lennon.

AND

If you stay up late, get to PROGRAMMING ROOM A for Heroes, Villains and Vixens Drag Show and leave on a high note!

Whatever you do, get at least some sleep, because as big as Saturday was, that was just half a day, and you’ve got a LOT on your plate for tomorrow. Better eat your Wheaties.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16th

Rise and shine, dweebs! Time to wipe the sand from your eyes, hit the showers, and then put on your Saturday finest. IYKYK, Saturday’s the day for cosplayers to be seen at Fan Expo, and we want to see all your helmets, capes, crowns, tails and giant props. (Look for us on the floor and we might even have a prize for ya!)

GET HERE EARLY. Unless you prefer to park clear across the entertainment complex and hoof it through all those garages first thing in the morning AND when you’re tired, sweaty and laden with merch at the end of a long day. Trust us. Don’t wait. And don’t park illegally, cuz you will get a ticket, and that money could at least go towards a big slice of pizza when you finally have time to eat. ;)

Let’s begin:

10 AM is when you can get back in - if you’re already in the convention center and have your badges ready. If you’ve got autographs early, or if you’ve got early panels, let us tell you from experience - be here really early. The glut of the big name celebs have signings, panels and the like today, and it sometimes gets so bad that people are backed up in the skyway trying to gain access from the garage when big names are here. And, well, they really are, despite the cancellations (As of publication time, cancellations are: Jodie Whittaker, Peter Facinelli, Keith David)

If you DID make the choice to skip Avatar on Friday or just couldn’t make it to the con until now, there IS an opportunity to see the cast again with the Team Avatar Unfiltered: Zach Tyler Eisen, Jack De Sena, Greg Baldwin, Dante Basco, Michaela Jill Murphy and Mae Whitman panel at 11 AM in the MAIN THEATER.

BUT

This happens to coincide with the Zany to the Max! Meet the Animaniacs panel featuring the cast of the series at 11 AM in THEATER #3, so you’ll have to figure out which way your heart truly leans, because again, we’re not deciding this one for ya.

At noon, decide between spiders and stormchasers. On the one hand, you’ve got Mad About Helen Hunt in THEATER #2 at NOON.

On the other hand, The Voices of Spiderman: Nadji Jeter and Hudson Thames which will be at NOON in THEATER #3.

But RED ALERT!

If you’re a comic fan, you’ve got another tough choice, because at 12:15 PM in the MAIN THEATER you can ALSO Enter the Speed Force with the cast of The Flash: Grant Gustin, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes and Tom Cavanagh

What you should do if you’re a Whovian is wibble wobble your way to a good timey wimey at the Doctor Who? Let’s talk the Doctor with two fantastic companions, Mandip Gill and Catherine Tate at 1 PM IN THEATER #2.

Today’s wild card is also at 1 PM in PROGRAMMING ROOM A and it’s for anyone who likes to deep dive and discuss. The Childhood Classics & Grown-Up Glasses: Taking a Closer Look at the Furniture of our Mids features podcasters Tracie Guy-Decker and Emily Guy Birken, hosts of “Deep Thoughts about Stupid Sh*t” as they talk about the complicated relationships we have with IPs that have had some controversy and how we can accept them with their flaws and with respect to all. The more you know, the better you do, and we can all do better.

AT 1:30 PM IN THE MAIN THEATER, Marvel fans should be heading to see Hooked on a Feeling with the Cast of Guardians of the Galaxy which will feature Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn and Michael Rooker

If you’re really forking excited about The Good Place or The Acolyte, why not drop in to see From the Good Place to Up in Space: Manny Jacinto at 2 PM in THEATER #2

Gamers, if you’re not otherwise entwined, go get yourself in the Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament in the Gaming Zone at 2 PM. Do it if you’re great, do it if you suck - or just cheer for your favorites. You don’t often get to experience a tournament full of fans of the same games you play. Don’t squander the chance to get in on it live.

BUT

There’s also a chance for Sailor Moon Fans to ask their burning questions in the Moon Crystal Power! Q&A with Sailor Moon’s Stephanie Sheh to consider at 2 PM in THEATER # 3.

WHAT IF though, your thing is Legos?

Then head over to PROGRAMMING ROOM C AT 2:30 PM for AFOL? What’s an AFOL? To hang out with your fellow brick buddies.

THEN

At 2:45 PM in the MAIN THEATER, cheer on a man who neither needs encouragement or introduction, with the You Can Do It, Rob Schneider panel.

Once the clock strikes 4 PM you’ve got a few more choices

Go Over 9000 in THEATER #3 with a Dragon Ball Z voice actors panel that features Kyle Hebert, Dameon Clarke, and Josh Martin

Take a peek in the pages of The Book of Jennifer Beals over in THEATER #2 at 4 PM.

BUT

If wrestling and having good grammar are more your thing, why not hit up the MAIN THEATER at 4:15 PM for And His Name Is John Cena, featuring, well, definitely John Cena.

If you’re one of the Spiders-Men webbing your way across the con, swing over to the COSPLAY PHOTO PARK for the Into the Spiderverse Cosplay Meetup at 4:15 PM

Get Raccoon City ready at 5 PM with Nick Apostolides appearing in THEATER #3 to talk all things Resident Evil (among other things…like Warframe, Deadspace, Life is Strange, and more…)

But you can also go full Office fan and catch the Rainn Wilson panel at 5:30 PM in THE MAIN THEATER. (Yes, we know, he’s been in a few other things too…)

Horror folk, your ship hasn’t sailed yet, so get in a good seat in THEATER #3 at 6 PM for Aliens: Screams, Scenes and Shenanigans which features the whole cast from Friday’s panel except for Paul Reiser.

If you’re all about the One Ring (or the fellowship, or a pirate ship, we suppose), be in the MAIN THEATER AT 6:45 PM (and IN LINE FOR THIS PANEL AT LEAST AN HOUR EARLY) because we expect that the To the Edge: A Journey with Orlando Bloom! Panel will in fact blow out the doors of the panel room and overflow both.

BUT

If you simp for classic sitcoms, sit down in THEATER #4 at 7 PM for a Mad About You Screening with Helen Hunt & Paul Reiser (so that’s where he was off to…)

If live art with iconic artists is your thing, check out Comics Xplosion in the Main Entrance Lobby and perhaps even purchase something you see being drawn live!

Then, round out your night and make sure you DO NOT MISS the Cosmic Celebration at 8 PM in THEATER #2. It’s free with your badge, features Galactic Empire, cocktails and dancing, and honestly? It’s about time you get a little silly. Go for it.

Hydrate, get some food, hit the pillow and get ready for ONE.MORE. DAY.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17TH

There’s a common misCONception about Sunday at conventions that most of the fun is over and everything’s getting packed up for next year.

This is far from true, and lately both Chicago cons have given fans plenty of reasons to take their Sunday fun day time to the show floor.

The show floor is open at 10 AM once again, and here’s the first choice you’ll have to make:

DO YOU

Meet Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, AND Tiny Toons Adventures creator Tom Ruegger in his 11 AM panel in THEATER # 4

OR DO YOU

Make sure your family road trip to the convention gets you here in time for We’re Gonna Have the Hap-Hap-Happiest Fan Expo: Get to Know The Cast of Classic Comedy National Lampoon with Chevy Chase, Juliette Lewis, Dana Barron, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid, and Anthony Michael Hall which is at 11 AM IN THE MAIN THEATER

NOTE: LINE UP EARLY FOR THIS ONE, TOO. For real. We expect this might draw crowds like we saw with Breakfast Club over at C2E2, in which case, if you didn’t leave before the con opened, you’re not getting in.

OF COURSE

What you could also do is head over to see Michael Rooker, who’ll have his panel, Michael Rooker: Off the Rails at 11 AM in THEATER # 2.

Card gamers, have you hit the FRIENDIVERSE LOUNGE yet? If not, there’s Pokemon Card Trading to do at 11:30 AM.

Keep an eye on the time though because we’re sure you’ve been a fan of Ming-Na Wen at some point in your life, whether that’s from Mulan, The Mandalorian or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She’ll be there at NOON in THEATER # 2.

For another bit of nostalgia and some more fantastic actors, check out 12:15 PM’s The Mummy Returns! Meet Brendan Fraser, Patricia Velasquez, John Hannah and Oded Fehr which is in the MAIN THEATER for maximum fan action.

Cobra Kai folks, don’t miss Strike First, Strike Hard with Martin Kove, Patrick Luwis and Oona O’Brien in THEATER #2 at 1 PM.

BUT

Twilight obsessed folks need to get to the MAIN THEATER by 1:30 PM for Meet the Cullens: Peter Facinelli, Kellan Lutz and Jackson Rathbone.

Meanwhile, at 2 PM it’s time for DC Unleashed with Sean Gunn over in THEATER # 3

Take any of a number of interesting pathways for the rest of the afternoon and then round it out with two more big panels:

There’s Mason Thames talking live-action How to Train Your Dragon in THEATER #2 AT 4 PM.

AND

In a convention center not too far away from the Loop, we sensed…well, a really big panel to end out the convention.

It’s a science fiction double feature for real, with Jedi Double Feature: Meet Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor at 5 PM in the MAIN THEATER.

Ok. That’s a lot of typing, which means we hope you actually bookmark this guide to use it to your advantage instead of having to scroll through every event on every day just to figure out what’s gonna take priority for you.

Keep in mind, cancellations are a part of any con, as are schedule changes, so you WILL need to keep the official schedule handy and keep track of the con happenings on social media.

This includes SOME of the programming but there’s plenty more things to do from foam sword battling to make and take crafts, competitions, dating and of course, lots and lots and lots of cool things to spend all your money on.

And, Culture Combine will be there too! If we find you on the floor we might even have some surprises in store! Stay tuned here all weekend to see your beautiful faces in our cosplay galleries and catch up on any panels you missed while you were at others/eating overpriced pizza/sleeping it off/adjusting your cosplay. Meanwhile we'll be all over Insta, BlueSky and Tiktok with updates from the show floor!

We’ll see you out there, NERDS!