Sylvester McCoy is returning to Chicago TARDIS in 2024!

He will be attending the convention all three days and joins our already exciting guest list (including 8th Doctor Paul McGann).

Refresh your memory about our already announced guests here.

We're happy to have Paul and Sonny McGann, aka the Eighth Doctor and great-grandson, Alex Campbell (among other roles), at Chicago TARDIS 2024.

Check our Guests page for their bios, and more guest announcements are headed your way very soon!

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]]>Paul and Sonny McGann Join Us for Chicago TARDIS 2024Chicago TARDISFri, 08 Mar 2024 23:53:01 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/first2024guestannounced5bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:65eba4685d2eb426b4f10bbe

We're excited to announce the return of Annette Badland to Chicago TARDIS 2024!

Annette is most well-known in the Doctor Who universe for portraying Margaret Blaine aka Blon Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen during the Ninth Doctor era but might also be familiar to many as Mae Green, the owner of The Crown & Anchor in Apple TV's Ted Lasso.

This is only the beginning of our guest announcements for this year. You can expect more news in the coming week!

2024 Vendor and Artist Alley applications are now live for the general public!

For those who are new to our Vendor Room or Artist Alley, Vendor spaces are $405 and Artist Alley tables are $305. This comes with two General Admission Weekend badges, and additional tables may be added on if needed.

The 2023 photo op galleries are now live!

Check your inbox for the password to access the photo galleries on our website. (Note: ALL of our hosted photo galleries now have the same password, so you can also easily access past galleries.)

If you have issues accessing the gallery or finding your photos, please get in touch with us!

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]]>2023 Photo Op Galleries Now LiveChicago TARDISThu, 07 Dec 2023 19:47:31 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/2023postconsurvey5bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:6572200bab403d2f9153f0cf

Take our 2023 attendee survey and win a free photograph and autograph of your choice with a 2024 guest!

Fill out this survey by Friday, December 22nd, and you will be entered to win. The winner will be announced by the afternoon of Saturday, December 23rd. You must have attended Chicago TARDIS 2023 to win.

There is no restriction on who you can use this free photograph and autograph with when redeeming the tickets. The tickets will be issued to our winner when autograph and photograph tickets open for 2024.

Good luck!

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]]>Take Our Post-Con Survey & WinChicago TARDISTue, 28 Nov 2023 20:29:18 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/postconventionupdate20235bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:65664b9f44317d4e6c4cee2b

Though our 2023 convention has wrapped up, we still have so much
post-convention news to share with you!
-

Pre-Registration for Chicago TARDIS 2024

Pre-sale memberships for All Access, Reserved, Priority, and General Admission Weekend 2023 members will go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, November 29th, at noon, CT. 

These members were sent emails earlier today with special access codes that related to their badge tier. You must enter the code in order to reveal the badge tier before purchasing.

Visit this link to access tickets

Pre-sale prices will remain the same for 2024 as they were in 2023:

All Access - $450
Reserved - $225
Priority - $165
General Admission Weekend - $95

Visit our site for perk information and children's membership pricing

These tickets will be available until the end of day on January 1, 2024. After this, we will be releasing any remaining memberships for general sale and membership prices will increase.

-

Post-Con Survey

We will be sending out a post-convention survey to all of those on our email list in the coming week.
In the meantime, you can leave panel or event-specific feedback on any event listed in Sched.

Those who fill out this survey will be entered to win a special prize! (TBA)

We would appreciate your feedback as we continue to grow our convention after nearly 25 years.

-

Meet and Greet Pictures Now Posted

If you attended our 2023 Meet and Greets, the photo album
is now up on our Facebook page.

VISIT THE ALBUM

-

2023 Digital Photo Ops

Next week, we will be sending an additional email on how you will be able to access our digital photo op gallery for 2023.

We appreciate your patience as we get this together on the website.

-

Vendor & Artist Pre-Sales

If you were a Vendor or Artist with us in 2023, you will be receiving an additional email by the end of the week on how you can sign up for your space at a discount before we open sign ups to the public.

Make sure you keep an eye on your inbox!

-

Thank you again for making Chicago TARDIS 2023 so successful.
We look forward to seeing you next year for our 25th convention!

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]]>2024 Pre-Registration & Other Post-Con NewsChicago TARDISMon, 20 Nov 2023 19:29:29 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/chicagotardis2023faq5bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:655bb1c68275420d318656b7

Read on to find answers to your most frequently asked questions about the convention - including Badge Pick Up and Registration hours, where to buy Big Finish autograph sessions, and more!

BADGE PICK UP, REGISTRATION HOURS, + ON-SITE AUTO/PHOTO SALES

Badge Pick Up, Registration, and Autograph and Photograph Sales can all be found in Grand Ballroom D. The start of the Registration line will be located across from the entrance to Main Programming. Signage and a staff member will direct you where to go as you arrive.

Badge Pick-Up will begin on Thursday, November 23rd from 5:00-7:00 pm for Premium (All Access, Reserved, Priority) Members only. No autograph and photograph or badge sales will take place on Thursday evening.

Registration and Sales will be open for badge pickup, badge purchasing, and autograph and photograph sales for all Members beginning Friday, November 24th. The weekend hours are as follows:

Friday - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm 

Saturday - 8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday - 8:30 am to 6:30 pm

We recommend buying your autograph and photograph sessions online when possible.

No autograph tickets for Michael Troughton or our Big Finish guests will be available to purchase in Registration and Sales. You will have to visit these guests’ tables in the Dealers’ Room during their designated autograph times to purchase autographs.

2024 pre-registration for Premium and General Admission Members will open on-site starting Sunday afternoon at 3 pm.

VENDOR ROOM & ARTIST ALLEY HOURS

The Vendor Room and Artist Alley (Junior Ballroom B & C and Magnolia) will be open each day at the following times:

Friday - 12:00* to 6:00 pm

Saturday - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

* Open at 11:00 am for Premium Members and at 10:00 am for Michael Troughton autographs 

OUR SCHEDULE

The Chicago TARDIS schedule is now live.

You can print the schedule here or download it on your phone as a PDF or via the Sched app.

If you cannot follow the live schedule online, we suggest you download and print the schedule via Sched, on the site, or use the signage posted outside of each room to guide you on what programming is happening at any given time.

BIG FINISH & MICHAEL TROUGHTON AUTOGRAPHS

No advanced tickets will be sold for Big Finish (Jonathon Carley, Lisa Bowerman, Jason Haigh-Ellery) or Michael Troughton autographs.

You will have to visit their tables in the Vendor Room during signing hours to purchase these autographs. Read their schedule here.

Autograph sales will be cash only.

FOOD GUIDE

Need to find food during the weekend? We have you covered!

In-house restaurants Holy Mackerel and Harry Caray’s will be open during normal operating hours as follows:

Thursday (Thanksgiving): 11:30-8:00pm
Friday: 6:00am-10:00pm*
Saturday: 7:00 am-10:00pm*
Sunday: 7:00-10:00pm*
*Brief closure from 11:00-11:30 am

Refer to this page on the Westin website for any of these operating hours.

The in-house cafe, Yorktown Market, serving coffee, light breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be open extended hours this year:

Friday and Saturday: 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday: 6:00 am - 4:00 pm

For all other food options, you can use this helpful PDF to find restaurants located in the Yorktown Shopping Center across from our hotel or this list of restaurants located within a mile of the hotel.

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]]>Chicago TARDIS 2023 FAQChicago TARDISSat, 18 Nov 2023 19:41:56 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/2023schedulelive5bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:655912793d4b265fc267da60

The Chicago TARDIS 2023 schedule is now live!

Access it directly via Sched or on the Schedule page.

Please note that panelist emails will not have completely gone out until this afternoon, so please be patient if you're waiting to receive one!

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]]>The Chicago TARDIS 2023 Schedule is Live!Chicago TARDISFri, 17 Nov 2023 23:00:12 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/oneweekuntilct20235bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:6557ec4bcc12211ee996d15fWe're just one week out from Chicago TARDIS 2023!

Here's everything you might have missed from us this week.

Sylvester McCoy Photos in Costume

Sylvester McCoy's solo photo ops will be in costume on Friday and Saturday of Chicago TARDIS!

Purchase this photo op or any others via the Autographs and Photographs page now.

Take a Break in the Quiet Room

Need a break from the convention chaos? Try out our Quiet Room!

We are making this space for the first time this year at Chicago TARDIS. Located in Maple (in the hallway next to Costume Programming and Photo Pick-Up), this room will offer low lighting, soft music, and space to relax away from the rest of the convention.

Operating times will be available soon as well as posted outside the door during the convention weekend!

Reserve Your Free Copy of Outside In

Reserve your free copy of the Doctor Who essay book Outside In and attend a signing with editor and author Stacey Smith? to claim the book and get it signed!

Signings will take place in the Vendor Room during Chicago TARDIS.
Check the overall schedule or table in the Vendor Room for signing times.

Post On the Facebook Event Page

Our Facebook event page is now open for public posts!

Please be civil and respectful when posting and if you have a question for staff, we still recommend contacting us via PM or email through the website.

Sign Up for Costumed Events

Our Costuming Staff is hard at work prepping panels, workshops, the return of the Chronological Cavalcade, and the organizing of our 2023 Masquerade!

You can sign up for the Chronological Cavalcade and download our Masquerade entry form now.

(You can also sign up for both events on-site, as well as the Hallway Cosplay Competition, at the Costuming Staff tables outside of the Vendor Room!)

Donate Items for the Charity Auction

Don't forget to donate items for our silent charity auction!

For more info on the three charities we contribute to and
to fill out the donation form, visit the Charity Auction page.

COMING SOON:

Our complete schedule (including badge pick up times, information
about the Thursday Night Party, and more!)

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]]>Just One Week Until Chicago TARDIS 2023Chicago TARDISFri, 10 Nov 2023 19:38:47 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/2023meetandgreetsonsale5bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:654e860c40df8b06b1159c6b

Meet and Greet tickets are now available to purchase for all Chicago TARDIS attendees!

Choose to Meet and Greet with 3 Doctors, various guests in our mixer, or Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson. (Unfortunately, the Katy Manning and Carole Ann Ford Meet and Greet is sold out.)

Learn more and buy your tickets at the link below.

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]]>2023 Meet + Greet Tickets Now Available for All MembersChicago TARDISFri, 10 Nov 2023 19:29:45 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/2023autophotoschedulelive5bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:654e83ecd88b1d2f0a343278

The Chicago TARDIS 2023 autograph and photograph schedule is finally live!

Visit the Autograph and Photograph page to read or download the full schedule.

While minor changes or edits may be made to the schedule, we anticipate this part to be mostly finished. Look out for our full convention schedule coming soon!

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]]>Chicago TARDIS 2023 Autograph + Photograph Schedule LiveChicago TARDISSun, 05 Nov 2023 20:15:21 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/callforpanelsopen20235bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:6547f75baf17c63b7bc614ec

Our Call for Panelists is now open!

Go to the Call for Panelists page to read about all the discussion panels you can sign up for and fill out the Google Form anytime before November 12th.

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]]>Call for Panelists Now Open!Chicago TARDISSun, 05 Nov 2023 20:13:06 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/frazerhinescancellation5bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:6547f6282c7a9c748f4f0f9b

We are very sad to announce that Frazer Hines will not be able to join us for Chicago TARDIS 2023 due to a job rescheduling.

All autograph and photograph refunds have been issued and emails about replacing auto and photo sessions for All Access and Reserved Members who chose Frazer for their complimentary auto and photo session have been sent out.

We appreciate your understanding!

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]]>Frazer Hines CancellationChicago TARDISThu, 02 Nov 2023 17:39:25 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/katymanningaddedfor20235bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:6543de66f36e1d04ea20ba1d

We are happy to be adding Katy Manning to our Chicago TARDIS 2023 guest list!

Cast as Jo Grant alongside Jon Pertwee and returning as Jo Jones in The Sarah Jane Adventures with Liz Sladen and Matt Smith, Katy has revived her character in various Big Finish audios as well as portraying Iris Wildethyme, Mother Nothing, the Ice Warrior Queen, and so much more.

Read her full bio on our Guest page.
You can purchase her autograph and photograph sessions via Eventbrite right now.

Premium (All Access, Reserved, and Priority) Members will have received an email detailing access to advanced ticket sales starting tomorrow, October 28th, at noon. All other ticket holders will have access to sales starting Monday, October 30th.

Visit our Autograph + Photograph page for an FAQ that outlines pricing, the location of autographs and photographs at the convention, and much more.

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]]>Autograph + Photograph Sales OpeningChicago TARDISSun, 22 Oct 2023 17:34:08 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/2023vendorartistlistlive5bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:65355c28e28426217c79e60a

Our 2023 Vendor and Artist page is now live!

There you will find an overview of all the small businesses and creators
who will be attending Chicago TARDIS 2023.

Look out for highlights of each of these Vendors and Artists
beginning on our social media pages this coming week.

Even if you’re not attending our 2023 event, consider supporting these businesses and creators by browsing or shopping their sites via the “SHOP NOW” buttons on the page.

Unfortunately, Jeff Rawle and Colin Spaull will not be able to join us at this year's Chicago TARDIS due to last-minute work commitments.

Don't worry, there will be more guests added for 2023 very soon!

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]]>Guest Cancellation AnnouncementChicago TARDISFri, 29 Sep 2023 23:47:08 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/fridayupdates09295bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:6517607b88018a5f458d98a2

Have a Friday roundup of all the latest Chicago TARDIS news as we close out the week!

⭐ Autograph, photo op, and meet and greet ticket sales will start in October. We will have an exact date for you coming very soon!

⭐ Our guest list isn't complete! We have a few more guest announcements coming your way in the next week.

⭐ Volunteer forms are closed, but what are other ways you can get involved in Chicago TARDIS?

• Programming - Submit your panel ideas now

• Costuming - Sign up to be in our Chronological Cavalcade or prepare to compete in our Masquerade

• Charity Auction - Read about the charities we contribute to via our silent charity auction, and learn how you can donate items

⭐ A *very limited* number of Artist Alley and Vendor spaces are still available for 2023. Sign up ASAP to be guaranteed space at this year's con.

More convention updates will be coming to you next week, so be sure you're following site updates, our social media, and are subbed to our email list to be "in the know"!

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]]>Friday News Round UpChicago TARDISWed, 27 Sep 2023 21:04:43 +0000https://www.chicagotardis.com/blog/submit2023panelsprogpreview5bc5151ea9ab953598c1ed68:5bc518fa9140b72c8e46345a:65148d91e03d6648117c057dSubmit Your Programming Suggestions Now

Want to suggest programming for our 2023 convention?

Now you can. This year's Call for Panels is open!

You have until October 22nd to submit. The more unique and 60th anniversary-related your programming ideas, the better. We can't wait to see what ideas you all have in-store for us!

2023 Programming Preview

While 2023 panel suggestions have just opened, we wanted to take the time to let you know about some other programming you can expect (and get excited about) at this year's Chicago TARDIS!


Photo Ops & Autograph Sessions
Guests will have tickets available for these each day of the con.
Sales will begin in October.


The Chronological Cavalcade
A timeline-style showcase of Doctor Who cosplay.
Get more info and sign up to participate.


Masquerade/Costume Contest
Show off your costuming hard work and compete to win prizes. More info and sign up coming soon.


Don't Blink Dance Party & Brit Rock Karaoke
Let loose on Friday and Saturday after-hours with these events.


Gaming
Play a variety of tabletop games and listen to panels
all weekend in our Game Room.


Game Shows
Participate in these (often) hilarious nighttime events in Main Programming.


Grown Up Craft Party
Make fun craft projects with fellow adults on Friday and Saturday of the con.


Children's Activities
Camp Time Lord is our place for children's activities (crafts, games, etc.) that runs all weekend. (All minors must be accompanied by an adult to visit Camp Time Lord.)


Panels & Workshops
This is where you come in! We want to hear your ideas for programming.
You can submit your suggestions until October 22nd here.


You can also expect Meet and Greet sessions with our guests (tickets also coming soon), access to Vendors and our Artist Alley, a walkthrough costume showcase, Dalek Alley, a silent Charity Auction, and much more as part of our 2023 offerings.