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Conventions in Illinois

Anime, comic and pop-culture conventions in Illinois — next dates, venues and prop rules, rated by people who went.

6 conventions

Any month OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
JAN8–10AnimeAnime-ZAP!Embassy Suites East Peoria Conference Center · East Peoria, ILJan 8–10, 2027Be the first to rateAPR30–May 2Multi-genreC2E2McCormick Place · Chicago, ILApr 30–May 2, 2027Be the first to rateMAY14–16AnimeAnime CentralDonald E. Stephens Convention Center & Hyatt Regency O'Hare · Rosemont, ILMay 14–16, 2027Be the first to rateJUL2–4AnimeAnime MidwestDonald E. Stephens Convention Center · Rosemont, ILJul 2–4, 2027Be the first to rateAUG6–8AnimeQC Anime-zing!Holiday Inn · Rock Island, ILAug 6–8, 2027Be the first to rateAUG20–22Multi-genreFan Expo ChicagoDonald E. Stephens Convention Center · Rosemont, ILAug 20–22, 2027Be the first to rate

Conventions in Illinois at a glance

byocosplay lists 6 conventions in Illinois: 4 anime, 2 multi-genre. They are spread over Rosemont, East Peoria, Chicago and Rock Island.

Coming up next: Anime-ZAP! (Jan 8–10, 2027); C2E2 (Apr 30–May 2, 2027); Anime Central (May 14–16, 2027); Anime Midwest (Jul 2–4, 2027).

The longest-running on the list is Fan Expo Chicago, first held in 1972.

5 of them run a masquerade or cosplay contest, among them Anime-ZAP! and Anime Central.

Dates, venues and prop rules come from each convention's official site and change every year — check the convention page before you book. If you went, rate the organisation, lines, guests and how cosplay-friendly it felt.

Cosplayer carrying a large shield prop

Bringing a prop?

Every convention page links its official prop and weapon policy. Read how convention prop checks work before you pack.