The Chicago Steampunk Exposition took place at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg, Illinois on June 12 to 14, 2026. This year’s convention was at a new time this year, mid-June, and had as its central theme Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Conventioneers and steampunks took the Alice theme to full effect, with many wearing the “10/6” on their hats to reflect the Mad Hatter’s look in the “Mad Tea Party” chapter. Characters from Lewis Carroll’s surreal classic were reflected in the fine costuming of attendees, with the Queen of Hearts’ card courtiers on site, along with a Caterpillar with hookah, and more fantastic personages from Wonderland.
There was a new evening party titled The Rabbit Hole. At this party was a copper samovar that dripped water for those who wanted absinthe. As the water fell into the absinthe, it created a dreamy louche effect in the glass. In one corner of the party was a stuffed caterpillar with many gloved hands, and keeping it company were large sized tribbles that moved. Homemade cookies and pastries were there, some of them being Lithuanian and Eastern European recipes, and were so very delicious. There was also the yearly Barfleet party and the decor there included a large tabletop croquet to represent the croquet that was played by Alice and the Queen of Hearts’ court in the story. At the party was a drink with spiced honey, it was the most popular drink ordered.
The Midway Market was a room of unique vendors, including an artist who sold medieval calligraphy of famous quotes and snarky lines. There were some selling their own fiction books, and of course, sellers of tea, the indulgence of choice for most of the steampunk persuasion. Items to supplement role playing games were also there in the market, alongside steampunk jewelry and brooches, hats, and other various goods.
Literary guest of honor Gail Carriger had a large line when she was signing books in the Midway Market on Saturday. During her speech at Opening Ceremonies, Gail facetiously or literally said that she’d sign books that weren’t hers for anyone coming up to her during the convention. Yours truly took Ms. Carriger up on that offer and requested her to sign a book yours truly brought with him in his backpack, a paperback copy of Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. Ms. Carriger signed it: “To Dexter – Best read with tea. Gail Carriger.”
The panel by Count Gregula & Fiends took place on Friday night, a screening of the 1915 silent movie Alice in Wonderland. Silent movies back in the day were actually not silent–the audience interacted vocally with what they saw on the screen. For this panel, we did the same: the audience was encouraged and welcome to contribute adult comments and thoughts out loud during this 18 and over panel. Amusing sayings were oxygenated and heard with uproarious laughter or mirthful contemplation or mortification. The audience was large and the room’s seats nearly filled in this MST3K-styled gathering. The movie starred Viola Savoy as Alice, and it was also rumored that her mother in the opening kitchen scene was her mother in real life. Ms. Savoy did only one more movie after filming Alice and lived a long life, all the way to age 87. Supposedly having a youthful heart at any age will contribute to longevity.
The Masquerade is held in the giant reception tent alongside the hotel, a dance where masks are worn and everyone can while the hours of the night away in dreamy costumes. DJ Scary Lady Sarah was spinning all the tunes, from goth classics and EBM all the way to new shadowy dance music. During this year’s Masquerade it started to thunderstorm heavily, adding tremendously to the surreality of the whole dance. Sheltered inside the tent, colored lights and melodious sound combined with steampunk aesthetics and clothing from historical eras made a retrofuturistic scene.
There was also a panel on photography. Crypt Fiend Robert Dicke hosted the well-attended panel and brought many artifacts to fully render what he was saying, including authentic stereoviews (turn of the century photographs put into a viewer for a three-dimensional look), vintage cameras, historical photography equipment, and the like.
Next year the Chicago Steampunk Expo will be held at the same hotel during June 11 to 13, 2027, and its theme will be Space 1893. We all at the Crypt hope to frightertain you again at the convention next year!
