Chicago Zine Fest 2026

Chicago Zine Fest is a celebration of small press and independent publishers, with an annual festival of workshops and the big expo day where 90+ zinesters sell and trade their zines. In addition to vendors the library will be hosting a series of workshops and panels where people of all ages can get hands on instruction and inspiration on creating their own zines. 9th Floor Vendor Fair - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 8th Floor - Hands on Activities All activities take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 8th floor. Stamp Making with Linocuts - Participants will learn how to carve designs into foam and linoleum and how to apply ink and print them on different types of paper.Typewriter Zoo - Typewriter enthusiast Lisa will be bringing multiple typewriters for participants to use and take home their very own typewritten messages.Button Making - Participants will design and create their very own pinback button.Collage Making - A variety of collage-making exercises will be available to contribute a page to a collaboratively made CZF 2026 collage zine.Bookbinding - Learn how to hand stitch your own binding to make your zine even cooler. 8th Floor - Panels All panels take place in the 8th Floor Music Practice suite at scheduled time. 11:30 - 12:30 p.m. Indigenous Zinester Panel - Moderated by Analú María LópezFor Native and Indigenous artists and innovators who found it difficult breaking into mainstream publishing, zines have been a crucial outlet. Craig Kee Strete, who identified as Cherokee, self-published the Red Planet Earth, arguably the first magaZine, in 1974 under the title "A Magazine of American Indian Science Fiction." It seems to be the first science fiction published by Indigenous authors. Come celebrate self-publishing and Indigenous voices at the Chicago Zine Fest by attending the "Indigenous Zinesters" panel, where Native and Indigenous writers, artists, and makers will share their zine-related work. Explore DIY print culture that challenges dominant narratives for real, lived experiences while uplifting narratives, such as the relationship to storytelling, land defense, or radical archival histories. Our panelists: * Analú María López (Huachichil/Xi'úi) from Zhegagoynak (Chicago) is a writer and community builder and librarian at the Newberry Library, where she curates the Indigenous collection. * River Kerstetter (Oneida) from Zhegagoynak (Chicago) is a designer, writer, and curator. * Andi Murphy from Albuquerque, New Mexico is a Diné journalist and podcaster who creates Toasted Sister zines, focused on Indigenous food stories. * Lindsey Danae Perez from Portland, Oregon, is a two-spirit Tongva illustrative artist who encourages self-decolonization through visual storytelling, giving voice to gender-nonconforming experiences, cultural reclamation, and spiritual awakening in their collection of handmade, self-published comic zines.1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Exquisite Corpse: Collaborative Character Creation - Columbia College Chicago's Illustration Student GroupThis workshop, hosted by Columbia College Chicago’s Illustration Student Group, encourages attendees to collaborate with one another to randomly create a character! Each group will work in teams to design a head, body, and torso without seeing what everyone else draws. After everyone’s character is complete, you’ll reveal what wacky creations you’ve come up with together!2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Using Zines to Create Your Own TTRP - Gila's RPGsHave you always wanted to make something for your favorite TTRPG, or maybe make one of your own? Zines are the perfect way to get started! This workshop discusses how you can use zines to create adventures, modules, supplements, and even whole systems for tabletop role-playing games. We'll cover ideas, layout, production, and even getting your game out there in the hobby! Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.Poster art: https://www.peanutbuddarart.co...