Special Exhibit – Victorian Fae

Each year the Chicago Steampunk Exposition hosts a Special Exhibit that sets the underlying “theme” for that year’s convention; for 2023 our special exhibit will be “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Fantastic Discovery of the Fae World.” This exhibit will feature art, relics, and other items of interest collected around the Fae Academia following Doyle and his father establishing diplomatic contact with the Fae territories. The Exposition will celebrate the many cultures, achievements, and art of Faekind, and be joined by ambassadors and representatives of these magical realms as we welcome them to Chicago. In many ways this will be like Carnival Row, but unlike the Republic of the Burgue, Chicago embraces diversity and multicultural exchanges.

PLEASE NOTE that ALL costuming is welcome, not just Fae, and you don’t even have to come in costume; 21st Century “Time Tumblers” are welcome to 1893 as well 🙂


Program Updates

Convention Foam Fighting returns to the Exposition for boffer fun, and to run the mysterious Underground Arena of Chicago Below that will play a central role in the convention’s immersive storyline LARP game.

Convention Foam Fighting (CFF) is a free-to-participate physical combat event. Using foam “boffer” weapons, participants take part in a variety of games, from team battles to tournament-style competitions. Participants of all ages and experience levels are welcome to play (participants under the age of 18 will require consent from a legal guardian). CFF supplies all necessary equipment to the participants, and they welcome all experienced fighters to bring their own equipment to be reviewed and approved by their staff for safety.


Be a Presenter!

If you have Steampunk related knowledge and expertise that you would like to share at the Exposition, then we invite you be part of the Program and submit your proposals for presentations.


Exposition Exhibitors

This coming April, the Exposition will offer a wide array of exhibitors and vendors to entertain, educate, and entice you.

Throughout the convention you will find them in our Main Exhibitor Hall, Artists’ Alley, Printers’ Row, Exhibitor Alley, and in our Special Exhibit Gallery; for more information visit our Exhibitor page.

As exhibitors are being confirmed we are adding them to the site and featuring them each week; our latest features are . .

If you would like to be an Exposition Exhibitor, please submit an application HERE.


The Venue

Update! More rooms have been added to the room block, so if you were having trouble booking a room, please try again.

The 2023 Chicago Steampunk Exposition is being hosted at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg. This upscale hotel is a short drive from O’Hare International Airport with many facilities both in the hotel and surrounding it, plus FREE PARKING.

Visit our Venue Page to learn more about the layout of the show floors and what to expect from the Exposition new home.

Room prices and booking information are all listed on the Book Rooms page.


Social Media


On the Horizon . . .

      • Special Events announcements
      • Updates on Featured Presenters
      • The immersive Steam & Sorcery LARP game
      • . . . and more!

Chicago Steampunk Exposition