Celebrities, cosplay and characters: Scenes from GalaxyCon 2025 in Raleigh
By Ethan Hyman and
Grace Richards
Christopher Trautman and his daughter Kara go shopping on the convention center floor at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025.
Ethan Hyman
ehyman@newsobserver.com
GalaxyCon 2025 stormed into the downtown Raleigh Convention Center this weekend for four days of a “festival of fandom.”
It was a gathering for fans to celebrate comic books, pop culture, science fiction, fantasy, anime, gaming, cosplay and more, according to the event’s website.
Tens of thousands attended the annual gathering to show off their costumes, greet stars like William Shatner, Susan Sarandon, the cast of 90210, Geena Davis and Juliette Lewis.
Here are some photos from over the weekend:
Andy Serkis takes a photo with fans after speaking during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Yasmine Alston, center, of Durham, laughs with friends during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025. Alston is cosplaying Botan from Yu Yu Hakusho. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Josh Ayala, cosplaying Biltzo from Helluva Boss, is wanded as he enters GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Joshua Holshouser navigates the hallway his cosplay of Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas before the Craftmanship Costume Contest at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Mose Marshall of Efland puts on his head as The Thing before the costume contest at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Remi Keller, 14, adjusts the costume of Phineas, 5, during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Sunday, July 27, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
From left, Kurt Fuller, Kirsten Nelson, Corbin Bernsen and Timothy Omundson laugh as they tell stories during a Q&A with the cast of Psych during during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Sunday, July 27, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Maggie, a half Great Dane, half Rhodesian Ridgeback service dog, is dressed as a lion as she attends GalaxyCon Raleigh with her owner Clark Willis at the Raleigh Convention Center Sunday, July 27, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Miles Burgess, 7, sleeps as he sits with his grandmother Ethel Bowser and sister Mazhonee Burgess, 15, late in the day during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Sunday, July 27, 2025. The family traveled from Denwiddie, Va., leaving home at 7 am. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Monika Knecht of Richmond, Va., talks with her boyfriend Jackson Colly during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025. Knecht is cosplaying as Nico Robin and Colly is Franky from One Piece. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Geena Davis laughs with Susan Sarandon during a “Q&A with Thelma and Louise” at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Reese Callahan rides the escalator at Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Robin Waden of High Point helps adjust the wig of Dakota Holt of Mayodan before the costume contest at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Waden is cosplaying as Queen Charlotte from A Bridgerton Story and Holt is King George. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Grant Gustin, left, laughs with Tom Cavanagh during The Flash Q&A during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Dwayne Miller of Youngsville, dressed as Pinhead from Hellraiser, poses for a photo during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Vivienne Medrano, creator of Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss, center, and members of the cast answer questions during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Olivia Van Sickle of New Bern carries Ryan Mertz of Raleigh off the stage during the Runway Costume Contest at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025. Van Sickle is cosplaying My Little Pony’s Applejack and Mertz is Rainbow Dash. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
A fan records as Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon appear during a “Q&A with Thelma and Louise” at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Brent Spiner and Gates McFadden tell stories during the Star Trek: The Next Generation Q&A at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Sunday, July 27, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Eliza Dickens, right, talks with Tori Swallows while waiting for the costume contest during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Fans cheer on contestants during the Runway Costume Contest at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Jackson Rathbone takes a selfie with a fan during Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
From left Brian Austin Green, Gabrielle Carteris, Jennie Garth and Ian Ziering laugh as they tell stories about their time on Beverly Hills, 90210 during a Q&A atGalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Sunday, July 27, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Andy Lewis from New Bern, cosplaying as Tenna from Deltarune, shops at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Leigh Smith, cosplaying as Ranni from Elden Ring prepares for the costume contest at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Eli Hyman
Claire Hagedorth grabs lunch outside the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center during Galaxycon on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Dani Gosha of Goldsboro, right, talks with her twin sister Gabi Gosha during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Dani is Princess Predator and Gabi is Skeksis from Dark Crystal. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Jeff Holmes of Raleigh walks the hallways dressed as an enderman from Minecraft during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Sunday, July 27, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Juliette Lewis has fun with the audience during a Q&A at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Sunday, July 27, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
From left Malik Richardson, Michael Johnson and Benjamin Rogers, all from Huntersville, attend GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Samantha Gault of Charlotte, dressed as Carrie, waits to participate in the costume contest during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Wren Gutierrez of Wilmington jumps into the arms of Naomi Johnson of Matthews during the Runway Costume Contest at GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025. Gutierrez is cosplaying as Hot Pants from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Johnson is playing Bowsette from Super Mario. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Spectators watch wrestling on Fayetteville St. during the GalaxyCon Raleigh Street Fest in downtown Raleigh Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Crowds fill the the Raleigh Convention Center during GalaxyCon Raleigh Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Jon Fisher of Asheville adjusts his head during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday, July 25, 2025. Fisher is cosplaying Vox from Hazbin Hotel. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Jess Sledge laughs with her sister at Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Attendees head down to the Exhibit Hall during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
A Twilight fan holds a signed Peter Facinelli picture at Galaxycon in the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Elisa Holley of Raleigh takes a break during GalaxyCon Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Alissa Gregg and Ink Early part ways at Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Jordan McKenzie holds a handmade cake replica at Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Arden Street takes pictures with friends at Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Friday, July 25, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Mae Williams and Ciel McCoy celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Daniela Arias, Emma Wright, Alexandra Verrigni and Kat Wright celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Isaiah Stevens spent hours sculpting a custom wig for Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Cosplayers and comic fans celebrate Galaxycon at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM.
