...
Fan Expo New Orleans 2025: A Memorable Experience

The Fan Expo New Orleans 2025 transformed the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center into a haven for pop culture enthusiasts from January 10-12. This unforgettable celebration of fandom exceeded expectations with its stellar organization, star-studded guest list, and family-friendly atmosphere. While amazingly crowded, it never felt claustrophobic or intimidating. This is due to the amazing planning of the 

Our Celebrity Encounters

Andy Serkis at Fan Expo New Orleans 2025

The convention’s highlight for us was meeting Andy Serkis and Manny Jacinto. Both demonstrated genuine enthusiasm while meeting attendees, making each interaction personal and memorable. For Mr. Serkis, we got the chance to tell him how we love everything he has done including the audiobooks of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Our little one even talked him into doing Gollum’s voice, which he obliged by whispering “My precious” into her here. Chills went down all three of our spines. Simply, it was one of the most amazing fan experiences we have ever had.

We were the first in line for Manny Jacinto after he had a break. We adored him in The Good Place and were floored when we realized that was him in Nine Perfect Strangers. I know people hated The Acolyte – it is a polarizing project – but his turn as The Stranger in there is one of the great star wars performances. When his character “shifts” into who he actually is, it was one of the top Star Wars moments for me. He went from silly charcter to a level of menacing I hadn’t experienced in Star Wars in a long time. Like maybe since 1977. He took time to talk about each project and make us fans for life. We can’t wait to see what he does next!

Back to the Future Magic

A historic moment unfolded as the “Back to the Future” reunion brought together Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, and Tom Wilson and actors front the series. A friend of ours got a hoverboard signed by those four. To us, autograph/memorabilia collectors, it is an amazing piece, and we are sure he will love it for a long time. 

Girl cosplaying as Elsa at Fan Expo New Orleans 2025

Shopping Paradise

    The vendor hall buzzed with unique treasures. From custom mini LEGO figures to an exquisitely crafted wooden wand perfect for Elsa cosplays, the marketplace offered something for every fandom. Each booth showcased carefully curated merchandise that spoke to collectors and casual fans alike. That wooden wand and a tiara we bought that day will complete our little one’s makeover when we go to Disney World in March. 

    Cosplay Community

    Little girl and a R2 style droid at Fan Expo New Orleans 2025

    The local 501st Legion’s presence added authenticity to the Star Wars atmosphere, creating countless photo opportunities and fostering community spirit. Cosplayers of all skill levels brought favorite characters to life, transforming the convention floor into a living celebration of fandom.

    Special shout out to all the robotics engineers who made their R2s and other droids move along with our daughter’s “magic wand” commands. They had no reason to do that besides putting a smile on our girl’s face. When we say community, this is what we mean. 

    Family-Focused Entertainment

    The dedicated kids’ area proved Fan Expo’s commitment to nurturing young fans. Children engaged in craft activities made new friends, and showcased their talents through karaoke sessions, making the convention truly multi-generational.

    And speaking of family’s I ran into quite a few there. From work people to my own family and to people I only met online, Fan Expo is a great way to spend a weekend. And that is true not just for nerds. Let’s face it: Fan Expo has something for everyone.

    Exceptional Organization

    The event’s success largely stemmed from its impeccable organization. Staff and volunteers demonstrated outstanding dedication, ensuring smooth operations and creating a welcoming environment for all attendees.

    The Convention Center’s staff (which is separate from Fan Expo) is great, but the Center itself does need to work on parking especially because that day was all events geared to extended locals: Fan Expo, a volleyball tournament, and Mardi Gras balls. The Convention Center can host all those events – it is big enough – but there is not enough parking for them especially since people are coming not only from the New Orleans Metro area but the entire gulf south. The convention center is great for people staying in nearby hotels, but for these events, most people are driving in. More parking would make this into a world-class venue, even if it is away from the center, and they run shuttles for occasions like this. 

    Fan Expo New Orleans 2025 wasn’t just a convention; it was a testament to the power of fandom in bringing people together. From celebrity encounters to family activities, every moment contributed to an unforgettable weekend that set new standards for pop culture conventions in the South. 

    And if you are in the south, especially near Orlando, check out Fan Expo’s Megacon! The lineup makes me want to dig into my 401k.  I won’t, but I want to!

    Luckily, Fan Expo New Orleans will be back on January 9-11 in 2026!

    Check out all of our previous Fan Expo Content here!

    About The Author


    Discover more from Nola Nerd Couple

    Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Discover more from Nola Nerd Couple

    Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

    Continue reading

    Seraphinite AcceleratorOptimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
    Turns on site high speed to be attractive for people and search engines.