50 Weeks until the Exposition

The 2024 Room Block is Open!

There are many different room types available:

King or Double – $129/night (plus tax & fees)
Junior Suite – $159/night (plus tax & fees)
Executive Suite – $179/night (plus tax & fees)
1 Bedroom VIP Suite – $209/night (plus tax & fees)
2 Bedroom VIP Suite – $329/night (plus tax & fees)

There are three specific blocks from which to choose. Click on block type to book your room.

UPDATE – The links are currently only working for 4/12/24 check in and 4/14/24 check out. We apologize for this mix up and have informed the hotel to fix the links. Meanwhile, however, you should still be able to book a room for 4/12/24 to 4/14/24 and later add nights if you wish (until the hotel fixes the link).

Noise Friendly Block (21+) on the first floor (see map below).
Quiet Block on the fifth floor.
General Block on floors three and four.

Artists, Authors, Exhibitors, & Vendors, please note that there is a separate block for you to which a booking link will be sent out to all successful applicants.

Room Parties

Anyone wishing to host a room party during the Exposition, please book a room in the “Noise Friendly” block. This part of the hotel, also known as “The Row” (in homage to Carnival Row) will be 21+ after 10PM on both Friday and Saturday night.

There is a 2 Bedroom VIP Suite available in The Row for anyone planning on hosting the biggest room party. To book this suite, please email CarabasEvents@gmail.com to get more details.

The 1893 Exposition premiered many new advancements in technology, and that year the world’s innovators were engaged in a race to harness electricity to provide power for humanity. In the lead were Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, with Tesla’s alternating current (A/C) concept going up against Edison’s direct current (D/C) system in what is known as the “Battle of the Currents;” a battle that came to a head in Chicago when Tesla was chosen over Edison.

Some speculate that Edison made an alliance with Count Graf Orlock to exact revenge upon Tesla. Others argue that it was the invention of the light bulb that drew the attention of the vampire councils. Whatever the reason, July 1893 secretly witnessed a dark cloud of Victorian Gothic horrors, Penny Dreadfuls come to life, and the looming presence of the Dark Prince fall upon the “White City.”

Tesla quickly realized that it would take more than just his alternating current electricity to protect the Exposition from Nosferatu’s army of darkness; Tesla needed an army of his own. Working hurriedly with Ferris, Professor Truelove, and Ada Lovelace, they managed to open a time and space portal to the year 2024, seeking the help of the most imaginative minds and creative souls who would beckon the call. Many social rebels and analog dreamers, so called “Steampunks,” responded to the plea and came to Tesla’s aid . . . but they were not the only ones to pass through the portal.

April 2024, will you align yourself with Tesla’s fight to protect the Exposition from this nightmare? Or will you join Edison’s alliance of darkness and be one of the creatures that lurk in the shadow of Nosferatu?

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

The Exposition invites you to immerse yourself into the weekend’s story arc as we solve the Nosferatu mysteries with our Live Action Role Play game Steam & Sorcery.

The FREE downloadable printer friendly Steam & Sorcery Players’ Guide is now available HERE.

Assemble your team of Smog Runners, get a mission from your Fixer, and run weekend long espionage and investigations into the four Robber Baronies that rule over Chicago in this 1893 timeline. You’ll need a QR code reader on your smartphone, a deck of playing cards, and your wits.

Call for Artists, Exhibitors, Vendors, & Writers!

Exhibitor applications are now open! CLICK HERE to apply today!

Present at the Exposition!

We are currently looking for speakers with knowledge of: Gothic Horror, Steampunk, Victoriana, costuming, maker arts, history, etc.

Chicago Steampunk Exposition is able offer Presenters a full weekend badge in exchange for two or more presentations (or relative equivalent).

Most sessions are required to be about 45 minutes in length; gaming sessions and certain workshops may require more time. If your session requires more time, please make a note in “Additional” box at the bottom of the form below to let us know.

If you would like to be part of the 2024 program and give a presentation, please CLICK HERE for our Presenter Application Form.

Join the Exposition Crew!

The Exposition is dedicated to providing Steampunk Fans a fun and safe weekend of entertainment, and to do so we need a dedicated Crew of fine volunteers.

If you would like to be part of the Exposition Crew, please fill out our Volunteer Application Form HERE and we will send you an invite to the next Crew Meeting.