Apply for CZF 2026

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Chicago Zine Fest
April 04, 2026

Applications now open to table at CZF 2026

The application to table at Chicago Zine Fest 2026 is now open! You can apply at our website any time before the end of day Saturday April 11th. We’re refining our curation process with the aim of having a diverse, vibrant set of zinesters at the fest (held this year on Saturday October 10th).

Thanks to the generosity of our host, Chicago Public Library, there will be no table fee for exhibitors at CZF 2026!

Our friends at the Midwest Perzine Fest are also accepting applications now—MWPZF 2026 will be in Chicago on Saturday July 11th.

CZF at C2E2!

For the first time, Chicago Zine Fest was a part of C2E2, the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo.

Our very own Emily Steffen led “AMAZINE: The Art of Making a Zine.” The hands-on workshop gave attendees an introduction to the vibrant world of zines. They got the chance to create their own zines and learned more about how zines are an integral part of the Chicago creative scene. There was a terrific turnout—thanks to everyone who joined us!

Support your local zine fest(s)

Lots of great fests to attend in the next few weeks! On Saturday April 18th you’ll have your choice of heading north for the Milwaukee Zine Fest or east for the Lansing Independent Comics & Zine Fest (LICZ).

We especially love the punk rat poster of Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE), created by Chicago favorite Bianca Xunise.

Stay tuned for the poster art for CZF 2026—you will absolutely love it!