A Weekend Back on the Con Floor
After years of fewer conventions in the Bay Area, GalaxyCon San Jose 2025 was a much-needed return to fandom fun for me and my husband. We attended on Saturday—childless this time—and the experience reminded me exactly why I miss the convention scene so much. From celebrity guests and packed vendor halls to frustratingly long security lines and one unforgettable encounter with Joey Fatone, GalaxyCon brought back the thrills, quirks, and chaos of comic conventions. If you’re planning to attend in future years—or simply want a fan’s eye view of what went down in San Jose—this recap covers it all: the guest list, the venue layout, highlights from the vendor and family areas, and my candid thoughts on what worked and what didn’t. Plus, I’ll share why GalaxyCon is worth keeping on your calendar, and when the next San Jose event in 2026 will take place.
The Guest List That Brought Fans In
The biggest draw for any convention is the lineup of celebrity guests, and GalaxyCon San Jose did not disappoint. Fans had the chance to meet stars like Jeremy Renner, William Shatner, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Danny Trejo, while voice acting icons including Johnny Yong Bosch, Tara Strong, Brandon Rogers, and Erica Lindbeck brought their own fan followings to the event. Creators such as Mark Waid, Rose Besch, Ben Templesmith, and Kevin Nowlan were also on hand, alongside authors and industry names like Joe Wos, Guy Hutchinson, F.C. Yee, and Nancy Wu. Entertainment figures including Elgin David, Milo Beasley, Tyler Wood, and Witchy Brew joined the mix, while wrestling legends Mick Foley, Scott Steiner, and Mark Henry added even more variety to the weekend. Fans of cosplay and gaming were thrilled to meet Tabitha Lyons, Princess Squib, Morgan Le Foy, Danielle DeNicola, and Stella Chuu. Even tattoo artists had their spotlight with Galaxie Ink, Dan Dings, Jaime Escanellas, and Brandon Saunders attending, and JSA and CGC offered authentication services. It was a star-studded lineup that brought energy and excitement to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.
A Shaky Start with Security
Unfortunately, the day began with a frustrating start. Every entrance merged into one massive line, which meant waiting at least five to ten minutes to even get through security. By the time we cleared that hurdle, the convention should have been open, but when we made it upstairs we discovered that the doors had not yet been unlocked. That anticlimactic opening dulled the initial excitement, especially since the first hour of any convention is usually one of the most thrilling times to hit the floor.
Familiar Layout, Mixed Results
Once inside, the convention setup was familiar, echoing past events at the same venue. The lower level was used for ticket pickup, lockers, and the gaming center, which was packed with arcade machines, console games, and everything in between. The upper level housed the main stage, celebrity autograph and photo opportunities, and the vendor hall. The design made sense and allowed for easy wayfinding, but some sections, especially the celebrity area, became overwhelmingly cramped.
A Vendor Hall That Stole the Show
If you came to shop, GalaxyCon San Jose 2025 was the place to be. Vendors dominated nearly two-thirds of the convention floor, leaving only a small portion of space for other attractions. This may sound overwhelming, but the sheer variety made it a highlight of the day. Handmade goods, collectibles, comics, toys, and rare finds filled the aisles. My husband and I spent a good deal of time browsing and even picked up a couple of Disney Pixar Cars for our kids, Dash and Marvel. The seller gave us a crash course on how to identify different waves of Pixar Cars releases, which was a fun surprise for parents who are constantly asked for new additions to the collection.
A Family Zone Worth Noting
One element that stood out was the family-friendly programming. Next to the droid builders and fandom groups was a dedicated family zone that offered kid-centered activities throughout the day. It was a clever way to give kids a break and parents some breathing room while still keeping everyone immersed in the convention experience.
The Celebrity Section: Organized Chaos
While the vendor hall felt expansive, the celebrity area was a different story. The space was congested and difficult to navigate, with long lines everywhere and little room for people to move freely. The photo op and autograph sections spilled into one another, creating bottlenecks that left attendees packed tightly together. To make matters worse, staff members continuously shouted for people to keep moving, often repeating phrases like “If you aren’t stopping to buy, keep walking.” The attempt at crowd control came off as abrasive and only added to the sense of disorganization. Multiple lines grew so long that overflow areas had to be created, and the “snake” queues felt claustrophobic. For such a major feature of the convention, the setup left much to be desired.
A Childhood Dream Come True
In previous years, my husband and I would have jumped into lines for big-name stars like Hawkeye, Kingpin, or Luke Cage, especially back when we were deep into Funko Pop collecting. These days, with our collection pared down, those massive lines aren’t as appealing. This year, however, I made one important exception: Joey Fatone of NSYNC. For anyone who grew up in the late nineties and early 2000s, you’ll understand why this was such a huge deal for me. I have been a diehard NSYNC fan since their debut, and over the years my husband has surprised me with tickets to multiple Justin Timberlake concerts. But nothing compared to meeting Joey Fatone in person. My husband completely surprised me with an autograph and selfie opportunity, and I could hardly contain my excitement. Joey was warm, approachable, and genuinely took his time with every fan he met. For me, that short but meaningful interaction was a childhood dream fulfilled and the highlight of the entire convention.
Panels and Programming
After making our way through the vendors and celebrity section, we turned our attention to the panels. The schedule was light, with everything taking place on a single stage. The rooms that in other years might have been dedicated to additional panels were instead transformed into a tattoo and piercing shop for the weekend. While unique, this meant there were fewer panels overall and less variety in programming, which may have disappointed some attendees.
Final Thoughts on GalaxyCon San Jose 2025
Overall, GalaxyCon San Jose 2025 was an enjoyable and family-friendly convention that successfully brought fandom energy back to San Jose. The guest list was impressive, the vendors were plentiful, and the family zone was a thoughtful addition. However, the cramped and chaotic celebrity section, the constant shouting from staff, and the frustrating start at security took away from what could have been a smoother experience. The vibe reminded me of the old Silicon Valley Comic Con, where excitement and community outweighed the logistical headaches. In the end, the joy of being back on a convention floor, shopping for unique treasures, and meeting Joey Fatone made it all worthwhile.
Looking Ahead: GalaxyCon San Jose 2026
For those already planning their next trip, GalaxyCon San Jose will return August 21 through August 23, 2026, once again at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Despite some flaws in its 2025 execution, the event proved that San Jose still has the energy and audience for a large-scale fandom gathering. We definitely plan to attend again, and I expect the organizers will continue refining the experience for fans.
