What to do at Wizard World?

People always ask us what is there to do at a comic con besides gather autographs. Well, there is the vendor and artist alley area. We always describe as a jewelry show for geeks. Then there is the programming. Celebrity panels tend to be QAs with the guests. Fan-led panels are entertaining deep dives into different facets of fandoms. Either way, Wizard World New Orleans 2020 programming will have something for you.

The Main Events

Q&A sessions with the casts of “Smallville” (Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, John Glover; women trio of Kristin Kreuk, Erica Durance and Laura Vandervoort), “Firefly” duo of Jewel Staite and Sean Maher, “X-Men” voice actors Larry Houston, Chris Potter, Cal Dodd, George Buzza, Lenore Zann, and Chris Britton, “Outlander” panel with Sam Heughan and special guests, Ed Speelers, John Bell and Maria Doyle Kennedy, Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride), Holly Marie Combs (“Charmed”) and Matt Ryan (“Constantine”), plus cosplayer and comics creator sessions, adult and kids costume contests, live podcasts and more highlight the programming offerings at the 10th annual Wizard World New Orleans, January 3-5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. 

Most programming is included as part of the standard event admission. However, the Heughan/”Outlander” panel is a notable exception, requiring an additional ticket. 

Programming Highlights

Some highlights of the more than 150 hours of panels scheduled to date include:

• · Group panels with “Smallville” (Welling, Rosenbaum, Glover, Saturday, 2 p.m.; Kreuk, Vandervoort, Durance, Saturday, 3 p.m.); “Outlander” (Heughan, Speelers, Bell, Doyle Kennedy; Saturday, 11 a.m., Extra Ticket Required), “Firefly” (Staite, Mahler; Saturday, 4 p.m.); “X-Men” (Sunday, noon); “Child Stars All Grown Up” (Thomas Ian Nicholas, Patrick Renna, Samm Levine; Saturday, 2:30 p.m.); and “Heroes of Sci-Fi & Fantasy” (Nick Stahl, Jake Stormoen; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.)

• · Solo Q&A sessions with Elwes (Saturday, 1 p.m.), Combs (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.); Ryan (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.); and Xander Berkeley (“The Walking Dead,” Sunday, 12:30 p.m.)

• Creator sessions with industry superstars Neal Adams, Joe Wos, Dr. Travis Langley, Jim Steranko, Jim Krueger, Well-Bee, Jeremy Clark, Tyler Kirkham, James Morris, Dr. Janina Scarlet, Terry Maggart, John Hallett and more

• · Fan- and industry-based panels on subjects ranging from turning a comic into IP for TV/Film, Ghostbusters propping, writing comics, storyboarding, Star Wars, Sci-Fi vision, cult TV shows, foam and Worbla, urban fantasy, swords and spaceships, RPG, Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts, Disney, “Outlander” behind the scenes, Ghosts of NOLA, YouTube, DC Universe, superheroes, burlesque, Star Wars, setting and achieving goals and more, some hosted by Mythbusters’ Rachel Pizzolato and some by Hall of Justice Podcast’s Seth Everett.

• · “Smallville Nights,” an intimate evening with Welling and Rosenbaum (Friday, 7:15 p.m.; Extra Ticket Required)

• · “X-Men” Masterclass (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Extra Ticket Required) and Meet and Greet (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Extra Ticket Required) with the seven “X-Men the Animated Series” cast members 

• · Dungeons & Dragons with Stormoen (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Extra Ticket Required)

• · Screening of the original film “Louisiana Ghostbusters, Ep 3 – Goodbye Stranger” (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.)

• · Exclusive Sneak Peek Preview of the upcoming sci-fi/ horror film Uncanny Harbor, featuring cast members Corey Wells, William Cheverie, Reid Sinclair and Elle Matarrazo (Friday and Saturday)

• · Kids programming all three days, including free sketches, face painting, hero training, Jedi training, mask making and more

• · World-famous Wizard World Adult Costume Contest, Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Kids Costume Contests on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

• · Cosplay with special guests Remy Domino, Ineedsugar, Christina Dark, Artemis Wild and more, throughout the weekend

Unless noted, programming events take place in the designated General Programming Rooms or show floor stages at the convention center. VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities, as noted.

A full list of Wizard World New Orleans programming is available at http://wizardworld.com/programming-entertainment/New-Orleans (subjects, guests, times and rooms subject to change).

About Wizard World

Wizard World events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. The first event scheduled on the 2020 Wizard World calendar, New Orleans show hours are Friday, January 3, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, January 4, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, January 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

Wizard World New Orleans is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening.

The Nola Nerd couple will definitely be at the kids costume contest so make sure you come look for the Nola Nerd Baby! (You can see pictures of her previous con cosplay here).

About The Author

Kurt Hargis

administrator

I’m a husband to a woman who is nerdier than I am, and a father to a near perfect child. I am one of the main authors for this website, plus I handle most of the technical aspects (web design, editing podcasts, and videos, etc.) During the day, I’m a Computer Science and African American Studies Teacher. Most of my free time I’m listening to music or podcasts and watching soccer. I love Star Wars and Star Trek equally. I’m a horrible gamer yet I game.
You can reach me at nolanerdcouple@gmail.com

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