We just wrapped up our second year at GalaxyCon New Orleans, and if you’ve been following along with our 2026 preview and family-friendly guide, you already know we were counting down the days. As a family of two teachers and one very enthusiastic Kid, we walked in with high hopes and walked out with signed comics, a Mallrats memory (with an asterisk), and yet another reason to call this our favorite escape from the New Orleans summer heat.
Here’s our honest, family-focused review of everything we did, loved, and learned at GalaxyCon New Orleans 2026.
Meeting Kevin Clash and Steve Whitmire: The Highlight for Our Kid
Our kid has definitely inherited the con gene from us. When she realized that the original voice of Elmo (Kevin Clash) and the longtime voice of Kermit (Steve Whitmire) were there, she went straight up to meet them.
Both were kind, patient, and clearly comfortable interacting with younger fans. That matters enormously when you’re bringing a kid to a con. Their signatures are lovely, but the way they engaged with her is what she’ll remember.
We also caught their joint panel, and it was hands down one of the best convention panels we’ve ever attended. Hearing them talk about their craft, the technical work, the character-building, and the emotional connection audiences form with puppets was pure gold for a nerdy family.
The Mallrats Poster Mishap (Learn From Our Mistake!)
Here’s a lesson in con planning that we’re publishing so you don’t repeat it: check the day-by-day guest schedule before you pack for each day.
We brought our beloved Mallrats poster with every intention of getting it signed by both Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith. As of that moment, we were only missing ç Sven-Ole Thorsen, Kevin Smith, and Jason Mewes from the main cast. Jason Mewes was there all weekend and graciously signed our poster. He was impressed by the poster with all the signatures we did have, including those of the late Stan Lee and Shannon Doherty. Sven is hard to get for he is getting up in years and doesn’t do many appearances in the US. Claire doesn’t seem to do any cons at the moment. Mr. Mewes talked to us a good bit and seemed to really enjoy talking with fans.
But Kevin Smith was only appearing on Saturday, and — you guessed it — we forgot to bring the poster on Saturday. We were kicking ourselves all weekend. So the Mallrats poster is technically incomplete for now, but we’ll be chasing that Kevin Smith signature at a future con.
Family con tip: Screenshot the guest schedule for each day and check it the night before you head out. Post a sticky note on the door if you have to.
A Clerks Reunion (Sort Of): Brian O’Halloran & Jeff Anderson
To soften the Kevin Smith miss, my wife picked up a Clerks photo and got it signed by both Brian O’Halloran (Dante) and Jeff Anderson (Randal). Both guys were warm, funny, and easy to chat with. O’Halloran told her about the upcoming Mallrats reunion at Super Jersey Comic Expo in August, and now we are seriously considering it.
Star Wars Signatures From Timothy Zahn and Heather Antos
As a household that lives and breathes Star Wars, getting comics signed by Timothy Zahn was a bucket-list moment. We have met him before but we are always pacing ourselves on how much we spend because we want all of his books.
We also got signatures from Heather Antos, the editor behind so much of the current Star Wars comics run. She was incredibly kind and clearly loves connecting with fans of the books she’s helped shape.
Between Zahn and Antos, our Star Wars comic collection just leveled up considerably.
The Vendor Floor: Where We Spent Our Time and (Too Much) Money
Let’s be honest, this is where the family budget always takes a hit. And this year was no exception.
The GalaxyCon New Orleans 2026 vendor floor was well-organized, easy to navigate with a kid in tow, and packed with independent artists, small-batch creators, and the kind of niche fandom finds you can’t get anywhere else. From handmade cosplay accessories to book earrings with writable pages to fidget toys, we came home with treasures.
What we want to say clearly: Every single vendor we interacted with was warm, patient with our daughter, and passionate about their work. We can’t wait to see many of them again next year. Supporting artists at cons like this is one of the reasons we keep coming back.
The Kids Zone and Gaming Section: Family Con Gold
The Kids Zone
The Kids Zone remains one of the strongest family features at GalaxyCon. Our daughter spent hours here, crafts, activities, and a welcoming atmosphere where younger attendees could just be kids in the middle of a big convention. It also gives parents a moment to relax (and in my case, watch some World Cup action).
Cons can be overstimulating, and having a dedicated space for our Kid to reset made all the difference.
The Gaming Section (With One Piece of Constructive Feedback)
The gaming area is another family favorite, especially the Just Dance setup. Our daughter is a dancer and a musical theater kid, so this is her natural habitat.
However, we have one honest note for the organizers, because we love this con and want it to keep improving:
Please bring back the second monitor facing the audience for Just Dance.
Last year, there were two screens — one for the dancers and one facing the spectators. That small setup created something magical: a sense of community. Older kids would jump in and do songs our daughter had just danced, and she’d try harder ones because she’d seen them. Strangers cheered each other on. It became a shared experience.
This year, the monitor only faced the dancers. Watching from the audience felt disconnected, which made the dancers feel a little isolated on the “stage.” It’s a small technical change, but it had a big impact on the energy of that space. We’re hoping GalaxyCon brings the two-screen setup back for 2027.
Cosplay Wins: Winter Belle and an Evil Doctor
Our daughter cosplayed as Winter Belle on Saturday (the red outfit she wears in the snow) and as an Evil Doctor on Sunday. Both got tons of compliments from fellow attendees, and she got to pose for photos, which she absolutely lives for.
The cosplay community at GalaxyCon New Orleans continues to be one of the most welcoming and creative we’ve seen anywhere. From full-armor builds to clever budget-friendly costumes, the diversity on the floor was inspiring — and importantly, family-friendly. That’s not something we take for granted.
The Crowds Were Bigger
While we never felt crowded, we did notice an increase in crowd size this year. I’m not going to lie, I was worried about the future of GalaxyCon in New Orleans, and we still are. As of this writing, there isn’t an announced future date, and the con itself isn’t listed on GalaxyCon’s list of cons.
However, the crowds can’t be blamed. This con was bigger than last year’s and more diverse as well. Here is hoping they come back.
The Perfect Way to Escape the New Orleans Summer Heat
Anyone who lives in the Greater New Orleans area knows that July here is brutal. Between the humidity, the heat index, and torrential afternoon storms, outdoor family plans get tough. GalaxyCon New Orleans has quietly become our family’s favorite summer weekend tradition precisely because it delivers:
- Ice-cold air conditioning
- Hours and hours of things to do indoors
- Something for every member of the family
- Genuine community and creativity
For this reason, we hope GalaxyCon comes back. We need something family-friendly that is indoors and that we can make a day out of.
Final Verdict: Should Families Go to GalaxyCon New Orleans?
Absolutely, yes. GalaxyCon New Orleans 2026 confirmed for us that this is one of the most family-friendly conventions in the Gulf South. The guest lineup always delivers, the Kids Zone and gaming area give kids their own space, the vendors are wonderful, and the vibe is welcoming rather than overwhelming.
Here’s hoping that it becomes a summer tradition for New Orleans and us.
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