Are you a “Star Wars” fan going to NYCC 2026? Here is your guide to everything you’ll want to check out! New York Comic Con celebrates their 20th anniversary this year, and “Star Wars” has a lot of fun panels and events to celebrate.
Star Wars NYCC 2026 Panels
Thursday, October 8
The first “Star Wars” related panel at NYCC 2026 will be Be the Spark: Using Star Wars Cosplay for a Cause. It will be held from 12pm-12:45pm on the Hall 1E Community Stage. Leaders and members of the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, Saber Guild, Mandalorian Mercs, and Droid Builders will discuss how cosplayers can join these groups and help out their causes. If you’ve ever attended or seen an event where “Star Wars” characters were around, you likely have seen these groups in action already. These costuming clubs attend events like “Star Wars” nights at sporting arenas or museums to raise money for charity. When George Lucas was the Grand Marshall for the Rose Bowl parade in 2007, he invited members of the 501st to march in the parade.
Leaders from the local chapters of these groups will go through both the costume standards and the application process for those who wish to join. Attendees will also get a chance to ask questions at the end of the panel.
Friday, October 9
“Star Wars” books fans rejoice! Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away… returns again this year. See what’s next for “Star Wars” books from 11am-11:45am in North-Room 406.3. New projects for books and comics will be revealed here. In the past, this panel has discussed everything from children’s’ picture books to novels and art books and everything in between. The panel features an excellent and fun lineup this year with Ahmed Best, Dr. Chris Kempshall, Kiersten White, Kristin Baver, Michael Siglain, and Will Sliney.
Later, guests from the panel will participate in a book signing. The Lucasfilm Publishing- Post Panel Book Signing will be from 12pm-12:45pm. You’ll be able to find them in the Hall 1A: Author Signing Tables area.
Saturday, October 10
“Star Wars” cosplayers and fans alike need to check out this next event. The Star Wars March will step off at 1:30pm-2pm. Gather first at the Family HQ Room 1E-02: Star Wars Community Groups Area. You’ll be able to walk alongside members of the various “Star Wars” costuming groups attending NYCC, including the 501st and Rebel Legions.
Later on Saturday is Hollywood’s Love Affair with Swordplay. Taking place on the Main Stage from 3:30pm-4:30pm, this panel will touch on swordplay in movies- including the epic lightsaber battles in Star Wars. Nick Gillard, the stunt and lightsaber coordinator for the prequel trilogy is one of the guests for this panel.
Sunday, October 11
Sunday will kick off with the Hasbro Star Wars & Marvel Panel. From 11am- 11:45am in North-Room 406.3 fans and collectors will get news about upcoming releases and see sneak peaks of what’s next for Hasbro’s Star Wars: The Black Series.
Finally on Sunday, check out A New Galaxy of Star Wars Comics from Lucasfilm Publishing and Mad Cave Studios. From 1:45pm-2:30pm, Lucasfilm Publishing and Mad Cave will discuss their new publishing partnership for “Star Wars” comics. They will preview upcoming stories and talk about as-of-yet unrevealed projects. Check it out in Room 1C03.
Family HQ Interactive Activities for Star Wars at NYCC 2026
The 501st and Rebel Legions alongside other “Star Wars” costuming groups will be offering some fun activities and photo ops as part of NYCC’s family programing. All of the following will be found in Room 1E-01 Family HQ Interactive. As part of these activities, the costuming groups will be raising money for Make-A-Wish.
A staple of “Star Wars” at NYCC is Blast-A-Trooper. Organized by the 501st Legion Empire City Garrison and the Mando Mercs, kids of all ages have multiple opportunities to take up foam-based arms against these armored targets.
Here are the days and times you can Blast-A-Trooper.
- Thursday, October 8, 2pm-3:30pm
- Friday, October 9, 2pm-3:30pm
- Saturday, October 10, 4pm-5pm
- Sunday, October 11, 11am-12pm AND 2:30pm-4pm
Jedi Training
Kids and kids-at-heart can also participate in Saber Guild Training. The Saber Guild: Empire Temple is offering multiple trainings each day of NYCC, with separate times for “younglings” and adults. If you wish to participate, you will need to sign up ahead of time at the Saber Guild booth at Family HQ.
For the Younglings and Padawans, families can sign them up for the following times:
- Thursday, October 8: 11am-11:30am, 11:30am-12pm, 2pm-2:30pm, 2:30pm-3pm
- Friday, October 9: 11am-11:30am, 11:30am-12pm, 2pm-2:30pm, 2:30pm-3pm
- Saturday, October 10: 12:15pm-12:45pm, 1:30pm-2:15pm
- Sunday, October 11: 12pm-12:30pm, 2pm-2:30pm, 2:30pm-3pm
Adults and young adults are being offered these times to get the chance to train with lightsabers:
- Thursday, October 8: 12:15pm-1:45pm, 4:30pm-7pm
- Friday, October 9: 12:15pm-1:45pm, 4:30pm-7pm
- Saturday, October 10: 5:15pm-7pm
- Sunday, October 11: 3:30pm-5pm
Later, if your youngling wants to do some more training, the Saber Guild will also be offering Jedi Meditation. Catch them at these times:
- Thursday, October 8: 3:30pm-4pm
- Friday, October 9: 3:30pm-4pm
- Sunday, October 11: 1:15pm-1:45pm
Star Wars NYCC 2026 Meetups
The official NYCC Star Wars cosplay meetup will happen on Friday, October 9th. Located at the South Concourse Cosplay meetups area, swing by to show off your Star Wars best from 2pm-2:45pm. This meetup is hosted by the Rebel Legion Echo Base, LiliPopeCosplay, GeekChicLaura, MixedLightPhoto, Zephisto, Fadde Photography, and Bella Organa.
Falling under the “technically” category, Star Wars cosplayers are also invited to the Disney Cosplay Meetup on Sunday, October 11th from 2pm-2:45pm. This will also take place in the South Concourse Cosplay Meetups area. Guests for this meetup include LiliPopCosplay, GeekChicLaura, ScPhotos8, Yasmeen Lee, and Annie Lee Cosplay.
There’s certainly some fun things to check out for Star Wars fans at NYCC 2026! If you’re attending, which of these events are you most looking forward to? Stay with Temple of Geek as we bring you more news and fun from this year’s event. And check out our Marvel Fandom Guide for NYCC 2026 as well.
