Chicago Hot Dog Fest A celebration of the Chicago dog and Vienna Beef featuring bites from local vendors along with a performance by Robert Cornelius & Friends paying tribute to Prince. 8/11-8/13: Fri-Sat 11 AM-9 PM, Sun 11 AM-8 PM, Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark, 312-642-4600, chicagohotdogfest.com, $5 suggested donation.
Wizard World Comic Con Nerd out to the max with four days of science fiction, fantasy, film, horror, anime, manga, cosplay, comic books, card games, and celebrity appearances. Among those in attendance this year: Charisma Carpenter, John Cusack, Dulé Hill, and Gene Simmons. 8/24-8/27: Thu 5-10 PM, Fri noon-7 PM, Sat 10 AM-7 PM, Sun 10 AM-5 PM, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd., Rosemont, wizardworld.com/comiccon/chicago, $40-$60 one-day pass, $94.95 four-day pass.
Chicago Fringe Festival The city hosts 50 local, national, and international innovative performing arts acts, complete with workshops and events focusing on dance, theater, music, and more. 8/30-9/10, various times and locations, chicagofringe.org, $10.
