Are you a part of an act that's interested in performing at Nightmare Weekend Chicago?

Do you have a Fan Group or Show Car that is interested in appearing at Nightmare Weekend Chicago?

Do you want to host a panel or workshop at Nightmare Weekend Chicago 2025? Share your love of fandom and help us make this the best show ever! Nightmare Weekend features over 300 hours of programming, and we couldn't do it without the talented contributions of local fans. Fan panels are the heart of Nightmare Weekend.

Panels are discussions, lectures, show and tell or rants about any and all parts of fandom. Comic Books, Anime, Cosplay, Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Steampunk, Video Games, etc… If you have a specialty and want to talk about it, an area of expertise in fandom and you want to share it with the con, we’d love for you to submit a panel for consideration. We appreciate all ideas, no matter how big or small, but if your panel has logistical needs, please indicate it completely on your form. We will try our best to accommodate your panel.

1. Registration deadline is March 31st, 2025. The earlier you submit your panel, the better chance you have of approval and a good time slot. No panels will be approved after that date. If you would like to host your own panel, it’s easy! Just fill out the form below and submit to us for consideration.

2. Preparation goes a long way. Be sure you complete your request form completely and accurately. Check to ensure that your topic is relevant, your descriptions accurately match your panel’s title and content, and show us that you have put a great deal of thought into your presentation.

3. Panels should reflect an aspect of the fandoms we represent. Nightmare Weekend does reserve the right to reject panels if we feel the material is not appropriate for our convention.

4. Make sure your panel is appropriate. We pride ourselves on being family-friendly, which means that your panel is not demeaning, rude, embarrassing, or derogatory to anyone.  We do not allow “Truth or Dare” type panels or "Ask a Character" events due to the nature of the questions. 

5. Nightmare Weekend does not accept panels that require an admission fee. All panels are to be open to any and all registered attendees; attendees should only need their convention badge to attend a panel. A small materials-only fee may be charged on a case-by-case basis that involves creating crafts. Prior to submitting a panel that might require the material fee please email programming@galaxycon.com prior to submission.

6. Guest panels have priority. Because scheduling for these panels can be erratic and take up much of ‘prime-time’ programming between Noon and five pm on Saturday and Sunday, being flexible on your scheduling increases the chances we will find an acceptable time slot for your panel.

7. Notify us at programming@galaxycon.com immediately of any changes or problems as soon as they arise.

8. It is the responsibility of the panelist to meet with the AV team at the convention at least 20 minutes before their panel starts if they wish to use computers or other devices in their panel. Please note that Nightmare Weekend Chicago does NOT provide laptops in the panel rooms. We do provide speakers, projectors, and microphones upon request.

9. Be respectful to Nightmare Weekend staff, volunteers, and the other panelists.

10. Start on time and end on time. All panels should end in enough time for you to clean up and remove your materials so the next panel can start on time.

11. Be a registered attendee at Nightmare Weekend Chicago. For hosting a panel, the main host listed on the form will only receive one admission ticket per panel, for the day of that panel. Groups with multiple members are encouraged to lead several panels in order to cover admission for more members. Nightmare Weekend Chicago is not responsible for any additional admission.

12. Nightmare Weekend will notify all panelists if their panel has been accepted by April 15th, 2025. Because of over-scheduling, your panel may be canceled even after it has been approved. In that case, you will still receive an admission ticket for that day.

13. Every attempt will be made to ensure that the Panelist/s will be scheduled for their preferred day and time, and Nightmare Weekend will also attempt to avoid scheduling the Panelist/s for any major events that the Panelist may have an interest in attending, though no guarantees can be made. Make sure to note any event that you do not want to miss on the Panel Request Form.

14. Nightmare Weekend will provide AV support, within reason. Please note that laptops are NOT provided. We strongly encourage you to have a back-up plan because regardless of how well you or we plan.