2026 Chicago Event Tentative Schedule
WILD AND WINDY 2026 CHICAGO BOOK EVENT
THURSDAY EVENTS
4PM: HOTEL ROOM CHECK-IN OPENS. BE SURE YOU GET YOUR COMMERMORATIVE KEYCARD
5PM-6PM: VENDOR SETUP-Lower Level. (EVENT STAFF WILL BRING LANYARDS AND REGISTRATION PACKETS TO VENDORS THAT ARE SELLING DURING EARLY REGISTRATION)
6PM-8PM: ATTENDEE EARLY REGISTRATION - Lower Level. Pickup your event totes and lanyards. Lanyards must be worn at all times to enter event areas.
6PM-10PM: THESE VENDOR SHOPS OPEN -Lower Level: TBA
8PM-9PM: ANNOTATION KIT AND BOOK JOURNALING DEMONSTRATION by Dark Midnight Design Co. In the Amphitheater.
9PM-10PM: ATTENDEE ORIENTATION by your hosts Nicole Huffman and Michelle Mankin. In the Amphitheater. Friendship bracelet trading will be available outside in the hallway outside afterward.
6PM-10PM: AUTHOR SET-UP. 2 FREE DRINK TICKETS PER AUTHOR IN YOUR TOTE. GRAND BALLROOM, LAKESHORE, and LASALLE (Author registration is at the Grand Ballroom.)
FRIDAY EVENTS
D A Y T I M E
SIGNING SESSION
8AM-10AM: AUTHOR ADDITIONAL SET-UP TIME
8AM-10AM: ATTENDEES CAN PICKUP PREORDERED PREPURCHASED ITEMS FROM VENDORS WHO ARE OFFERING THIS OPTION - Lower Level. TBA
9AM: VIPS (GOLD) CAN REGISTER in front of the doors to the Grand Ballroom. Lineup is in the breezeway beside this ballroom. Must lineup in order by the number that is on your badge.
10AM-11AM: EXCLUSIVE VIPs ONLY EARLY ENTRY HOUR to see the authors.
10-11AM: GA’S (PINK) CAN REGISTER AND LINE-UP in the breezeway beside the Grand Ballroom. Must lineup in order by the number that is on your badge.
11AM: PINK LEVEL CAN ENTER to see the authors.
2PM: FRIDAY SIGNING SESSION ENDS
N I G H T T I M E
5PM-6PM: VENDOR SET UP. Lower Level.
6PM-10PM: VENDOR SHOPPING. Lower level. Open to all ticket holders.
6PM-7PM: VIPs ONLY. EXCLUSIVE VIP PANEL PROGRAMMING. Dual concurrent locations. Michigan Ballroom and the Amphitheater. VIPs are welcome to choose either panel during this hour. However, keep in mind that if one room reaches capacity, you will have to choose the other one. Panelists and topics TBA. Your VIP lanyard is necessary to enter these panels.
7PM-10PM: PANEL PROGRAMMING FRIDAY SESSIONS Open to all Ticket Holders. Dual concurrent locations. Michigan Ballroom and the Amphitheater. Panelists and topics TBA. First come, first serve for each panel. Panels are 45 minutes long, depending on popularity the room might be cleared between panels.
7PM-10PM: VIPs ONLY. KAMA SUTRA VIP BINGO (Madison Ballroom) listed as “bingo” on the door. Be warned. It’s totally inappropriate. Paperback prizes.
7PM-10PM: FUN IN THE SUN VIP PARTY - Lower Level. Director’s Parlor, A & B) Luau theme. Featuring Author Sponsors and Narrators TBA. This is an additional opportunity for VIP ticket holders to meet these authors, buy their merchandise and books, and get signatures. If you would like to bring books from home for these authors, you may bring them and get them signed. No preorder pickup.
VIPs can also play party games, luau and xxx themed) run by volunteers. Swag pack prizes. There will also be a scavenger hunt with several prizes for winners, and a bookish T-shirt contest (prize is a VIP ticket to Wild and Windy Chicago 2027). There will be a special Fun in the Sun themed swag gift for each VIP in your tote, and VIPs will have a Fun in the Sun photobooth with a commemorative frame, a DJ, and a cash bar with a signature drink, the flirty fizz.
SATURDAY EVENTS
D A Y T I M E
SIGNING SESSION
9AM: VIPS CAN REGISTER in front of the Grand Ballroom and line up beside it. Must lineup in order by the number that is on your badge.
10AM-11AM: EXCLUSIVE VIPs ONLY EARLY ENTRY HOUR to see the authors in the GRAND BALLROOM and in the Lakeshore Ballroom.
10-11AM: GA’S PINK LEVEL CAN REGISTER & LINE-UP in the breezeway beside the Grand Ballroom. Must lineup in order by the number that is on your badge.
11AM: PINK LEVEL CAN ENTER the Grand Ballroom and/or Lakeshore Ballroom.
2PM: SIGNING SESSION 2 ENDS
N I G H T T I M E
5-7PM: Westin and WW Core Volunteer crew prep the Grand Ballroom for the Pajama Party.
6-8PM: LET’S TALK ABOUT SPICY BOOKS. NARRATORS WILL BE READING SPICY SCENES. LaSalle and Michigan.
6-8PM: KAMA SUTRA BINGO. All ticket holders welcome while space lasts. AMPITHEATER
8-10PM: PJ PARTY. Open to all attendees. Grand Ballroom and Breezeway. DJ, desserts, Photo ops, Photobooth, swag, and dancing. Last chance to mix, mingle, and get your journals signed by friends. Signature drink is a Chocolate Martini that will be offered at the cash bar.
SUNDAY
10AM-12PM AFTER EVENT MIXER. The Last Chapter Book Shop. 2013 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618. Shop and support local bookstore owner Amanda Anderson. Cupcakes and sparkling wine available.