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If you see a parade of characters and cosplayers this week, it can only mean one thing: GalaxyCon is back in town.
GalaxyCon kicks off on Thursday and ends Sunday night at the Raleigh Convention Center, and it’s once again bringing thousands of cosplayers to the Oak City to see some of their favorite entertainers from their favorite media franchises.
Organizers say they and celebrities love coming to the convention in Raleigh, adding that it’s easy to book talent because celebrities know “they’ll be welcomed by amazing fans, enjoy fantastic, local restaurants and explore rich cultural attractions.”
Along with its flagship event in Raleigh, GalaxyCon has expanded to several cities across the United States, including Philadelphia, Cleveland, Orlando, Oklahoma City, Savannah and Chicago.
Who’s coming to Raleigh for GalaxyCon?
Among the many headliners for the event are Skeet Ulrich, David Arquette, Rose McGowan, Lee Wadell and Jamie Kennedy, who are returning to Raleigh for the 30th anniversary of the hit horror film, “Scream.” Several cast members were supposed to attend GalaxyCon in 2025, but had to cancel due to scheduling conflicts.
The force will also be with you at the event, as Hayden Christensen, Rosario Dawson and Sam Witwer from the Star Wars universe will be attending as well.
Christensen is best known for his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in various Star Wars movies and TV shows, such as the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka miniseries on Disney+. Witwer is best known as a fan-favorite Star Wars antagonist, portraying Darth Maul in several Star Wars animated shows.
Dawson has filled roles in both cult classics and mega franchises, portraying Ahsoka Tano in “Ahsoka,” “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett,” Becky in “Clerks II and III,” Claire Temple in “Daredevil,” “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist,” and “The Defenders,” and Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in various “Justice League” animated films.
Aside from Scream cast members returning and Star Wars stars, attendees can see some more stars, including:
- Ke Huy Quan, best known for his role as Short Round in “Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom,” Waymond Wang in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Data in “The Goonies” and Gary De’Snake in “Zootopia 2.”
- William Shatner, famous for his portrayal as Cpt. James T. Kirk in multiple “Star Trek” shows and movies.
- Karl Urban, famous for his portrayal of William “Billy” Butcher in Prime Video’s hit show “The Boys,” Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the rebooted “Star Trek” films, Éomer in the “Lord of the Rings” movie franchise and Johnny Cage in “Mortal Kombat II.”
- Vincent D’onofrio, famous for his roles as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin in “Daredevil” and “Hawkeye,” Private Leonard ‘Gomer Pyle’ Lawrence in “Full Metal Jacket,” Edgar the Bug in “Men in Black” and “Men in Black: The Series” and Detective Robert Goren in “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”
- Edgar Wright, a writer and director best known for “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz,” “The World’s End” and the cult classic “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.”
- Ralph Macchio, best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso in the original “Karate Kid” trilogy, the global hit-show “Cobra Kai,” and 2025’s “Karate Kid: Legends.” Macchio is also known for roles in “The Outsiders” and “My Cousin Vinny.”
- Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, famous as the legendary stoner comedy duo of “Cheech and Chong.”
- Lizzy Caplan, best known for her performances as Janis Ian in the comedy “Mean Girls,” Casey Klein in “Party Down,” Marlena Diamond in “Cloverfield,” and her Emmy-nominated performance as Virginia Johnson in the critically acclaimed series “Masters of Sex.”
- Stars from the this series “The Office:”
- Rainn Wilson, famous for his role as Dwight Schrutt.
- Angelay Kinsey, famous for her role as Angela Martin.
Film and
television actors won’t be the only ones shining bright at the event.
Voice actors will be around for photo ops and autograph signings at the
event.
- Christopher Sabat, famous for his roles as All Might in “My Hero Academia,” Vegeta and Piccolo in the “Dragon Ball” franchise, Roronoa Zoro in “One Piece,” Yami Sukehiro in “Black Clover” and Alex Louis Armstrong in “Full Metal Alchemist.”
- Ross Marquand, who’s famous for his roles as Professor Charles Xavier in “X-Men ’97” and the Immortal in “Invincible.”
- Colleen Clinkenbeard, best known for her roles as Monkey D. Luffy in “One Piece,” Momo Yaoyorozu in “My Hero Academia,” Riza Hawkeye in “Full Metal Alchemist” and Gohan in “Dragon Ball Kai.”
- Lucy Christian, best known for her roles as Ochako Uraraka in “My Hero Academia” and Nami in “One Piece.”
- Sonny Strait, best known for his roles as Krillin in “Dragon Ball Z” and its various spinoffs, Usopp in “One Piece,” Present Mic in “My Hero Academia” and Maes Hughs in “Fullmetal Alchemist.”
- Dana Snyder, best known as his role of Master Shake in “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.”
- Tara Strong, a voice acting legend best known for her roles as Raven in “Teen Titans” and “Teen Titans Go!,” Miss Minutes in “Loki,” Bubbles in “The Powerpuff Girls,” Timmy Turner in “The Fairly Odd Parents,” Batgirl/Barbara Gordon in “The New Batman Adventures” and Harley Quinn in “Batman: Arkham Knight” and “Injustice.”
- Sarah Natochenny, best known for her portrayal of everyone’s favorite Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum.
There will also be plenty of comic book authors, cosplayers and current and former wrestlers. You can find the full guest list here.
GalaxyCon: Know before you go
Note that many celebrity guests charge for autographs and photos. One of the major features is you can get a tattoo with a celebrity while you are at the convention. Pricing can be found here, and fan packages can be purchase in advance online.
Here’s the schedule for the convention:
- Thursday, July 23: 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday.
- Friday, July 24: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday.
- Saturday, July 25: 10 am. to 1 a.m. Sunday.
- Sunday, July 26: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The exhibit hall floor will be open at the following times
- Thursday, July 23: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, July 24: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, July 25: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, July 26: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For those who are parking in downtown Raleigh, there are about 23,318 spaces inside parking decks in the downtown area of Raleigh, there are also 50 surface lots scattered throughout the downtown area. Here are some of the places you can park:
- Wake County Parking Deck, 216 W. Cabarrus Street.
- Gale Street Lot, 430 Gale Street.
- Salisbury Parking Lot, 400 S. Salisbury Street.
- Cabarrus Deck, 436 S. Salisbury Street.
- Performing Arts Parking Deck, 128 W. South Street.
- One City Plaza Parking Deck, 434 S. Salisbury Street.
- Convention Center Underground Deck, 1 W. Lenoir Street.
- Charter Square Deck, 502 S. Wilmington Street.
- Performing Arts Parking Lot B, 10 W. South Street.
- Blount Street Dock, 314 S. Blount Street.
- Red Hat Tower Public Parking, 100 E. Davie Street.
- City Center Deck, 429 S. Wilmington Street.
- Cabarrus Street Lot, 100 E. Cabarrus Street.
Street parking is also available for free on the weekends on most streets in the downtown area on a first come, first serve basis.
GalaxyCon Raleigh also has a list of tips to make the event accessible for all attendees, and a list of some of the features of their event that could cause stress for people with sensory sensitivities.
