Get Ready For Some Day-Time Fun and After-Dark Adventure at GalaxyCon 2025

A nonstop fan experience comes to the Greater Columbus Convention Center for 3-packed days!

GalaxyCon Columbus is not just another stop on the convention circuit; it is a full-throttle, three-day celebration that treats fandom like a holiday season instead of a weekend errand. From December 5 through December 7, 2025, the Greater Columbus Convention Center transforms into a bustling crossroads where comics, pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming, and cosplay all collide in a joyful explosion of creativity and community.

Fans will gather in downtown Columbus, Ohio, at 400 North High Street, for an event that runs deep into the night and never feels rushed. Friday festivities kick off at 2 PM (and stretch until midnight), Saturday runs from 10 AM until nearly 1 AM, and Sunday offers a solid 10 AM to 8 PM finale that still packs plenty of punch. The schedule is generous, like an all-you-can-eat buffet of delicious geeky goodies.

The exhibit hall serves as the beating heart of the weekend, opening Friday from 2 PM to 8 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. VIP and Premier VIP ticket holders receive early entry, giving them a head start that feels a bit like getting into the backdoor of the party while everyone else is still arguing with the bouncer at the door. Vendors, artists, and creators fill the floor with collectibles, original art, toys, and treasures you did not know you needed (but now you HAVE TO HAVE).

GalaxyCon Columbus shines brightest when it comes to special events, which read like a pop culture dream journal brought to life. Fans can attend the Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 premiere with Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich on Friday, or dive into a Twilight screening with cast members on Saturday. A Rocky Horror shadowcast experience adds theatrical flair, proving this convention is never content to stay quietly in its seat.

Look at this place, it's like Christmas! - Matthew Lillard, Scream

Saturday night leans boldly into after-hours entertainment with GalaxyCon After Dark, a mature-audience playground of cosplay cabaret, burlesque, comedy, and jaw-dropping performances. The After Dark Lounge Experience turns fandom on its head and shakes out the glitter, while reminding attendees that creativity does not clock out at bedtime. It is equal parts stage show and social experiment, and somehow everyone wins.

For those who prefer glamour with their fandom, Queens of the Galaxy brings an all-ages drag show packed with humor, style, and unapologetic flair. Meanwhile, competitive spirits can step into the Cosplay Competition, where confidence and performance matter just as much as costume design. The atmosphere feels like a runway collided with a comic panel and decided to stay for karaoke afterward.

Speaking of karaoke, nightly sing-alongs invite fans to belt out iconic theme songs and power ballads with enthusiasm that easily outpaces vocal accuracy. Dance parties and themed raves keep energy levels soaring, while 18-plus panels offer relaxed spaces to explore the more mature corners of fandom. The After Dark Market and Deep Space Boutique ensure shopping opportunities continue long after the exhibit hall lights dim.

Celebrity appearances form a massive draw, and GalaxyCon Columbus delivers a lineup that spans generations and genres. From Rosario Dawson, Simon Pegg, and Jodie Whittaker to William Shatner, Weird Al Yankovic, and Giancarlo Esposito, the guest list reads like a streaming service recommendation algorithm gone wild. Many guests appear multiple days, giving fans flexible chances for autographs, photos, and panels.

What truly sets GalaxyCon Columbus apart is its sense of inclusion, welcoming fans, creators, wrestlers, performers, and families into one shared celebration. It feels less like attending an event and more like stepping into a temporary city built entirely on enthusiasm. By Sunday evening, you may be exhausted, hoarse, and carrying several new collectibles, but you will also be counting the days until the event rolls around (and trust us...we've already circled our calendars)!