Unusual art finds, robotics & publishing: Chicago’s best trade shows in June 2026

Chicago’s 2026 event calendar is packed with large trade shows and expos that draw attendees from across the country. The lineup includes art, construction, fandom, food, and publishing events, each offering a different look at the city’s convention business.

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Unusual art, collectibles, and specialty goods

The Oddities & Curiosities Expo is a traveling event that bills itself as the world’s largest showcase of the strange and unusual, bringing together hand-selected vendors, dealers, artists, and small businesses. According to the expo’s website, the event features “all things weird” and draws a wide mix of creators and sellers.

The expo’s draw is its mix of odd, artistic, and collectible items, with hundreds of curated vendors and hands-on features. That format has helped it appear at major convention centers in multiple cities.

Among an extensive list of various city stops, the expo will appear in Chicago on Saturday, June 6, through Sunday, June 7, at McCormick Place. 

KeHE brings holiday buyers to Chicago

The 2026 KeHE Holiday Show is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, through Thursday, June 11, at McCormick Place in Chicago, with the event taking place in Halls D1 and D2. The company said the show will also be available virtually on the KeHE CONNECT platform—running 24/7 from Wednesday, June 3, through Friday, June 19—giving retailers and exhibitors a longer window to view products and connect online. 

KeHE described the event as a holiday show for grocery and retail professionals. The show is part of KeHE’s broader lineup of food and natural products trade shows.

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Robotics, manufacturing, and new technology

Automate Show is scheduled for Chicago from Monday, June 22, through Thursday, June 25, and is billed as the largest automation show in the Americas, according to the website. The event is designed to connect attendees with industry leaders and showcase new automation solutions.

According to the International Federation of Robotics, Automate 2026 will feature more than 1,000 leading exhibitors and more than 50,000 registrants. The event is focused on manufacturing automation technology.

Allied Vision said Automate is North America’s largest robotics event and a place where companies can move ideas from insight to impact.

Publishing thought leaders unite in Chicago 

The ALA 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition will bring the American Library Association’s biggest yearly gathering to Chicago from Thursday, June 25, to Monday, June 29. The meeting is part of the ALA’s 150th anniversary year and is billed as the organization’s main annual event.

The conference will take place at McCormick Place, with exhibit dates set for Friday, June 26, through Monday, June 29. The event is expected to draw library professionals, exhibitors, and other industry participants for several days of programming and networking.

ALA says the annual conference is its largest library event of the year, and the Public Library Association’s conference page says attendees can expect top-quality education, best practices, and featured thought leaders. The conference is designed to serve a broad library audience and showcase professional development opportunities.