New Orleans is about to swap beads for badges as GalaxyCon, the multi-fandom pop-culture convention, rolls back into town next Friday through Sunday (July 10-12). For three days, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will be packed with panels, photo ops, marketplaces and cosplay contests for fans of everything from Star Trek to Twilight.
The convention runs July 10-12 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with main show hours set for Friday from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On the main floor, attendees will find celebrity panels, autograph and photo-op zones and dedicated cosplay programming. Full schedules and the complete guest list are posted on the event page, according to GalaxyCon.
Stars, Reunions And Panels To Watch
The headliners read like a fan wishlist: William Shatner, Pam Grier, Kevin Smith and Danny Glover are all on the bill, backed up by a deep roster of creators, voice actors and reunion events. Fans of The Twilight Saga can catch Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Ashley Greene and Jackson Rathbone in a group Q&A slated for Friday at 5:45 p.m., while Jason Mewes and other Clerks alumni have their own spotlight sessions. Jeff Anderson and Brian O'Halloran are also scheduled to appear together on Sunday. Rounding out the lineup are family favorites such as Kevin Clash, the longtime performer behind Elmo, plus a busy schedule of meet-ups and workshops, as reported by Gambit.
Ticketed Shows And Late-Night Attractions
Kevin Smith is bringing his signature talkfest "Silent Bob Speaks!" to New Orleans on Saturday at 7 p.m. as a separately ticketed panel that offers multiple package tiers. GalaxyCon also lists longtime Muppet performer Steve Whitmire providing live commentary for a screening of Muppet Treasure Island on Saturday at 8 p.m. Both of these offerings are special-ticketed events and do not include general admission access. Details on these add-ons are laid out on the convention's special events schedule, according to GalaxyCon.
Tickets, Age Rules And After Dark Offerings
Single-day admission is priced at $40 for Friday, $60 for Saturday and $50 for Sunday, with multiday passes and VIP upgrades also on the table. Some panels and photo ops require an extra ticket on top of general admission. Kids 9 and under get in free with a paid adult, with up to three children allowed per adult ticket. For grown-up night owls, GalaxyCon is rolling out an After Dark pass and late-night marketplaces focused on more mature comics, art and collectibles. Pricing and ticket information runs through the official event ticketing partner, according to Eventeny, while the adult-only After Dark programming was highlighted in local coverage by Gambit.
What This Means For New Orleans
GalaxyCon is returning after a successful debut in 2025, adding another large-scale fan gathering to New Orleans' summer calendar and sending thousands of visitors and vendor dollars into the city's convention corridor. Local business observers have framed the show as part of a broader effort to expand New Orleans' convention portfolio and visitor economy, according to New Orleans CityBusiness.
How To Go
Tickets and special-event packages are handled through the official ticketing partner. Prospective attendees should check the Eventeny event page for current availability and individual session times. Expect long lines for the biggest panels and limited seating for special ticketed Q&As, and plan travel and hotel bookings with those crowds in mind. The ticketing page also carries the latest updates on scheduling and access, according to Eventeny.
