Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, Aug. 17, 2024 Fan Expo Chicago is known for its vibrant displays of comic art, celebrity appearances, cosplay and more. It returns Friday through Sunday to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

Academy Award-winner Brendan Fraser is among the celebrities scheduled to appear this weekend at Fan Expo Chicago in Rosemont. AP, 2022

Academy Award-winner Helen Hunt will make an appearance at Fan Expo Chicago in Rosemont this weekend. AP, 2024

Fan Expo in Rosemont

Academy Award winners Brendan Fraser and Helen Hunt; “Star Wars” series veterans Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen; “Guardians of the Galaxy” stars Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and Sean Gunn; and “National Lampoon’s Vacation’s” Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron are among the celebrities scheduled to appear this weekend during Fan Expo Chicago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. The expo includes celebrity Q&As, photo opportunities, cosplay events, comic and anime attractions, gaming, panels, workshops and more. Single-day tickets start at $50 (adult), $105 (family), $40 (teen), $12 (child). Three-day passes: $99. fanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago. 4-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17

Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, Aug. 17, 2024 Savannah Newcomb of Antioch portrays the evil queen from Snow White during the last year’s Fan Expo Chicago comic and pop culture convention, which returns this weekend to Rosemont.

Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, Aug. 17, 2024 Fans peruse comic character miniatures during last year’s Fan Expo Chicago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. This year’s event runs Friday through Sunday, Aug. 15-17.

Second City at Metropolis

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, hosts The Second City touring company’s ongoing 65th anniversary celebration. The performances are adults-only and include mature themes. $45. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15-16 and 22-23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17 and 24

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the Chicago Air and Water Show this weekend. Courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Air and water show

The Chicago Air and Water Show zooms over the shores of Lake Michigan from Fullerton Avenue south to Oak Street Beach this weekend. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, The Golden Knights U.S. Army Parachute Team and The Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 are among the military and civilian organizations set to perform. Free. choosechicago.com. 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17

Summer dance

• Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre performs a program titled “The Heart of the Story” — a combination dance and music program consisting of pieces from the company’s repertoire — as part of Chicago’s Night Out in the Parks summer series. The company also performs at Chicago Live! on Navy Pier next month. Free. cerquarivera.org. 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Meyering Park, 7140 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago; 6 p.m. Sept. 12 at Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St., Chicago; 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago; and 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive, Chicago

• As part of Chicago’s SummerDance series, Nancy Hays & the Romance of Dance Orchestra will pay tribute to the Willowbrook Ballroom, which flourished during the big band era and beyond until a fire destroyed it in 2016. The orchestra includes members of the ensemble that played together 30 years ago at the Willowbrook venue. The concert/dance party takes place at Grant Park, Spirit of the Music Garden, 112 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. Free. choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/chicago-summerdance. 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16

Movement Revolution Dance Crew featuring Kweku Bransah, TJ Morris and Monte Rezell perform “Devastating Stereo Bots” to music by Missy Elliott and Jabbawockeez at this weekend’s Dance for Life celebration. Courtesy of Amy Aiello

Dance for Life

Aerial Dance Chicago, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Giordano Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Movement Revolution Dance Crew and Trinity Irish Dance Company are among the ensembles participating in the annual Dance for Life celebration taking place at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Dance Health Fund, which provides Chicago-area dancers financial support for health care and critical medical needs, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. $45-$125 performance only, $500 for performance and after-party. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16

Kevin Griffin, left, Michael Jerome and Tom Drummond of Better Than Ezra headline Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Roaring Nights Saturday, Aug. 16. AP, May 1, 2025

Rock at the zoo

The 1990s alt-rockers Better Than Ezra (“Good,” “Desperately Wanting,” “King of New Orleans”) headline Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s last summer concert on the east mall, 31st Street and Golfview Avenue, Brookfield. The Grammy Award-nominated trio Tonic opens. $70, $60 for zoo members, $15 for kids. brookfieldzoo.org/roaringnights. 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16

Plein air in St. Charles

St. Charles hosts a weeklong “en plein air” celebration of painting featuring more than 60 artists who will set up their easels in public parks, on city streets and along the riverfront in the city’s downtown. The celebration also includes community art events with the artists. stcharlesartscouncil.org. Monday through Friday, Aug. 18-22

Summer wine walk in Wheaton

Businesses in downtown Wheaton are hosting a wine tasting and live music for ages 21 and older. $35, $50. visitdowntownwheaton.org/events. 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21