Silicon Valley’s headlines usually belong to tech founders and venture capitalists. However, the last weekend of August 2026 brings a different sort of star power to town. Indeed, GalaxyCon touches down at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center from August 28 through 30, and it arrives with one of the most eclectic celebrity lineups the region has seen in years. Think of it as Comic-Con’s laid-back cousin: three days of cosplay, panels, artist alley finds, and face-to-face encounters with performers who shaped decades of film and television. For travelers who plan their trips around pop culture rather than postcards, this is the weekend to book.
Who Are Some of the Headliners at This Year’s GalaxyCon San Jose?
Start with the guest list, because it reads like a highlight reel of American entertainment history. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, the comedy duo who turned stoner humor into a cultural institution, will hold court together, trading stories from a partnership that has spanned over 50 yeras. Nearby, expect to find George Takei, whose journey from Star Trek’s Sulu to outspoken activist and social media icon has made him one of the most beloved figures in fandom. Cassandra Peterson, better known to generations of horror fans as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, rounds out a trio of guests whose careers prove that genre entertainment ages beautifully.
Then there’s the Star Wars contingent. Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin Skywalker across the prequel trilogy and later reprised the role in Obi-Wan Kenobi, is confirmed for autograph sessions and photo ops throughout the weekend. Fans hoping to complete a lightsaber-themed autograph book should plan ahead, since sessions run on a schedule and popular guests tend to sell out fast. If that’s not enough, Brent Spiner, who portrayed the android Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation, will also be on hand. Even more celebrities include Ian Somerhalder, Tyler Hoechlin, Jamie Pressly, Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzelo.
Comic Creators, Voice Actors and More!
Beyond the marquee names, GalaxyCon’s strength has always been depth. Comic creators, voice actors from beloved anime series, and a wrestling personality round out a roster that rewards wandering rather than sprinting toward a single booth. Additional names continue to populate the guest list as the convention approaches, so it’s worth checking the official GalaxyCon site shortly before your trip for last-minute additions. Guests occasionally adjust their attending days too, which means a quick schedule check the morning of your visit can save real disappointment later.
Getting There and Settling In
San Jose’s convention center sits in the heart of downtown, which makes logistics refreshingly simple compared to sprawling counterparts in Anaheim or San Diego. Mineta San Jose International Airport is a short rideshare away, and many attendees skip a car altogether, opting instead for the walkable grid of hotels, restaurants, and light rail stops surrounding the venue. If you’re flying in from out of state, consider landing a day early to shake off jet lag and scope out the neighborhood before the crowds arrive.
Downtown San Jose has quietly built a solid hotel scene over the past several years, with options ranging from business-traveler standbys to boutique properties with genuine character. Booking early matters here. Convention weekends compress hotel inventory fast, and prices climb accordingly as August approaches. Aim for anything within a ten-minute walk of the McEnery Center; your feet will thank you after a full day on the show floor.
Rideshare pickup zones near the convention center get congested during peak arrival windows, particularly Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, so factor in extra time if you’re coming from the airport or a hotel outside the immediate downtown core. Light rail remains a reliable backup, and several stations sit within easy reach of the venue. Travelers coming from farther afield might also consider pairing this trip with a broader Bay Area itinerary, since San Francisco sits roughly an hour north and makes for an easy add-on before or after the convention weekend.
Related: Guide to the 2026 Bay Area Travel Show
What a Day at GalaxyCon Actually Feels Like
Picture arriving Friday afternoon, badge in hand, stepping into a lobby already buzzing with cosplayers dressed as everything from anime heroines to classic horror icons. Panels run continuously across multiple rooms, so a bit of planning goes a long way. Grab the schedule the moment it’s available, circle your must-see sessions, and build buffer time between them, because popular panels fill quickly and lines form well before doors open.
Saturday tends to be the marathon day. Doors open at 10 a.m. and the energy rarely dips before closing at 8 p.m., so pace yourself accordingly. Photo ops with headline guests typically happen in dedicated sessions throughout the day, while autograph lines snake through what organizers call Celebrity Row. If meeting Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, George Takei, or Cassandra Peterson tops your list, check session times the moment you arrive and plan your route through the show floor around them. Meanwhile, artist alley deserves its own chunk of your itinerary; independent illustrators and comic creators often bring exclusive prints you won’t find anywhere else.
By Sunday, the pace softens slightly. Crowds thin as families head home and the convention winds toward its 6 p.m. close, which makes it a smart day for slower browsing, final purchases, and any panels you missed earlier in the weekend. Many seasoned convention-goers actually prefer Sunday for this reason, treating it as a victory lap rather than a sprint.
Beyond the Convention Floor
San Jose rewards travelers who venture beyond the exhibit hall doors. The city’s downtown core has evolved considerably, and evenings after the convention closes offer plenty to explore. Grab dinner along San Pedro Square, where outdoor patios and a lively food scene make for an easy transition from cosplay to cocktails. Alternatively, wander toward SoFA District, a stretch known for its street art, indie galleries, and relaxed bar scene.
For a change of pace, the Tech Interactive sits within walking distance and offers a fitting complement to a weekend steeped in science fiction and fantasy. Its hands-on exhibits appeal equally to kids and adults, and a quieter museum morning can be a welcome contrast before diving back into convention chaos. Additionally, San Jose’s location at the southern tip of the Bay Area means Santa Cruz’s beaches and boardwalk sit less than an hour away, should you want to extend your trip with some coastal downtime.
Practical Tips Before You Go
Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. Convention floors involve far more walking than most people anticipate, and elaborate cosplay only compounds the fatigue by midafternoon. Pack layers too, since convention centers run notoriously cold no matter the season outside.
Consider your ticket tier carefully before purchasing. GalaxyCon offers several pass levels, and VIP options often include early entry, exclusive photo ops, or access to Friday night events featuring the celebrity guests themselves. If your primary goal involves meeting a specific performer like Hayden Christensen or George Takei, research whether that guest requires a separate autograph or photo ticket, since these sell independently from general admission and tend to move quickly once announced.
Finally, budget for the unexpected. Artist alley and the vendor floor are packed with limited-run prints, handmade merchandise, and collectibles you simply won’t find through typical retail channels. Setting aside extra spending money, however modest, usually pays off; regret over a missed piece tends to linger longer than the dent in your wallet.
The Bottom Line
GalaxyCon San Jose 2026 offers something increasingly rare in the convention circuit: a genuinely walkable downtown setting paired with a guest list spanning comedy legends, science fiction royalty, and horror icons. Whether you’re chasing a photo with Cassandra Peterson’s unmistakable Elvira, hoping to hear Cheech and Chong reminisce together, or simply eager to explore a city that rarely gets its due as a travel destination, this August weekend delivers on multiple fronts. Book your hotel early, map out your panel schedule, and prepare for three days where Silicon Valley trades its usual tech-conference energy for something considerably more colorful.
If You Go
San Jose McEnery Convention Center 150 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (954) 231-0574
Website: galaxycon.com/pages/galaxycon-san-jose
Related: Where to Go This Summer: Best 2026 Food and Drink Festivals
About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, MSN.com and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and is a Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW) member.
