The annual Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo is coming to downtown Chicago this weekend. The convention showcases cosplay, gaming, wrestling, anime, pop culture and much more.
Lightsabers and shields might aid cosplayers in their journeys through their beloved creative and mythical worlds, but a comprehensive guide can help even the most casual convention-goer navigate the largest pop culture and entertainment convention in the Midwest.
Here is everything you need to know to enjoy all it has to offer:
When and where:
7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
If you don’t yet have your convention badge, Will Call is located in Ballroom S100 near the main doors to McCormick South Ballroom S100.
How to get there and parking:
Public transportation: The nearest Chicago Transit Authority stations are Cermak-Chinatown on the Red Line and Cermak-McCormick Place on the Green Line. The #3 King Drive bus is the most convenient bus route to the convention’s closest stop, the McCormick Place stop.
Parking: There are three parking lots at McCormick Place — Lot A on South Prairie Avenue, Lot B on South Moe Drive and Lot C on Fort Dearborn Drive. Pricing for parking is $18 per day at Lot B. It’ll be $27 for up to 16 hours at Lots A and C and $40 per day at both.
Who will be there:
The Breakfast Club reunites: For the first time since the film’s release, the stars of the 1985 John Hughes movie — Emilio Estévez, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson — reconnect at the convention to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
“Outlander” castmembers: Charles Vandervaart, David Berry and Sam Heughan of the World War II period drama before it enters its final season.
“Lord of the Rings” stars: Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd and John Rhys-Davies.
Other stars: “Star Wars” star John Boyega, Peter Weller of “Robocop” and “Star Trek into Darkness” and Marc Evan Jackson of “The Good Place.”
What not to miss:
After Dark: After the general event hours of the convention, there is karaoke, drinks and games from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Artist Alley: Local artists as well as artists from the comics and film world like Afua Richardson who designed covers for “Black Panther: World of Wakanda” and Alex Saviuk who worked on “The Adventures of Spiderman” series be in there.
Cosplay Central: This corner of the convention has interactive workshops and the space to connect with other cosplayers. The convention also holds the Cosplay Central Crown Championships where people can compete to move onto to the global final of the competition.
Pride Lounge: This is a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ community members and allies to connect and socialize with activities like video games, board games and art projects.
Side Quest: There are tournaments for games including Splatoon, Street Fighter 6 and Rocket League for serious gamers and free-plays with the latest games for casual gamers.
What to bring and safety measures
Cash: C2E2 recommends bringing cash; several vendors do not accept credit card payments, including the autographing area. There will be ATMs located at the event.
OK to bring: Any “pretend” weapon part of a costume is allowed but it must be plastic and not realistic.
Leave at home: Other things that are not allowed include selfie sticks, drones and any real weapon.
Safety measures: All attendees must wear their provided event ID badge and credentials. Entry will include a security check and bag screenings.
Inclusivity: C2E2 also has a code of conduct which includes a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of harassment. There are also quiet rooms for people to take a break from the noise and liveliness of the event.