2026 is here, heralding the coming of this June’s Chicago Steampunk Exposition with special guests Gail Carriger, UnWoman, Leanna Renee Hieber, and a number of other people who make Steampunk truly wonderful!
Work is now underway for an updated version of the Steam & Sorcery LARP game rules that will go to press this summer as a universal system, but attendees of the 2026 Exposition will get to play it first this June. This Live Action Role Playing game allows players to immerse themselves into the weekend’s “Wonderland” storyline and help shape the outcome of the plot by finding clues, combating adversaries, solving mysteries, and generally having fun 🙂
In honor of (or fear of) the Queen of Hearts (pictured above), we are returning Steam & Sorcery to its original playing card based system, but this version will aim to have the highest number to secure success. Players will cut a deck of cards and add the result to the relevant skill level on their character sheet to determine outcomes to the various game challenges. The deck, however, is full of rewards and trickery that may help or hinder players; more details coming as we continue the countdown to June 2026.
Steam & Sorcery is free to play, but you will need to bring your own deck of playing cards.
Program Updates
The Exposition is currently putting together the 2026 Program for your amusement and education. We list session descriptions as we countdown to June 12th, 2026, and should have the full and final schedule online by mid-April, 2026.
This week we added the following panels and presentations to the Schedule:
If you would like to propose a panel, gaming session, presentation, workshop, or other things for the 2026 Exposition Program, please fill out our Application for Presenters form.
Exposition Exhibitors
This week we highlighted the following exhibitors whom you will find in the Exposition halls.
We have four main exhibitor spaces:
- The Underground Market (Sienna) for Vendors.
- The Midway Market (Slate) for Artists, Musicians, & Writers.
- The Hall of Curiosities (Mahogany 4) for Displays.
- Hallway Exhibitors (Atrium Lobby & Hallways) for Organizations and Fan Groups.
There are still Artist & Writer Tables available in The Midway Market; to apply, please fill out our Application for Exhibitors form
Social Media
-
- LIKE the Chicago Steampunk Expo page on Facebook for regular updates!
- RSVP to our Facebook event page!
- JOIN the Chicago Steampunk Exposition Adventurers’ Club group of Facebook to make plans with other steampunks!
- Yes, it’s all Facebook, but when we start posting on other platforms, we’ll be sure to add them to this list.
On the Horizon . . .
- Our NEW newsletter!
- Exhibitor updates!
- Programming updates!
