GalaxyCon, which returns to downtown San Jose for its third year this weekend, has a reputation for its quite diverse range of guests and fans. Need proof? This year’s show is headlined by not only George Takei and Brent Spiner of “Star Trek” fame but 1970s stoner comedy icons Cheech & Chong.
The cosplay opportunities alone are mindboggling.
That’s just a taste of the celebs who’ll be at the convention that’s opening Friday and running through Sunday at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. For “Star Wars” fans, you’ve got Hayden Christensen and Temuera Morrison; horror fans can see Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (aka Cassandra Peterson), and “Muppets” maniacs can even meet puppeteers Dave Goelz and Steve Whitmire.
Actor Barry Bostwick, left, speaks to the crowd waiting to get into GalaxyCon at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in downtown San Jose on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Standing with Bostwick are GalaxyCon CEO Mike Broder, voice actor Brandon Rogers and San Jose Barracuda mascot Frenzy. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)
A collection of fanmade Star Wars droids are on display in the exhibit hall of GalaxyCon at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in downtown San Jose on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)
Daniel Torres, of San Jose, dressed as “Kidpool” battles Raphael of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles during GalaxyCon held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Character artist Stephen Silver draws Scotty Douglass, of Modesto and his wife Michelle Douglass during GalaxyCon held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Darth Vader wanders through the exhibit hall as kids encourage each other to say “hi” during GalaxyCon held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Marla Dean, of Monterey, dressed as “Lady Davros” and her husband Jeff Dean dressed as “Doctor Who” take break in the lobby after attending GalaxyCon held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Lady Davros is a character Marla created since she uses a wheelchair and felt it was a perfect fit with the Davros character who also uses a chair. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Two ladies stop to have a conversation as Eric Ortiz, of Oakdale, dressed as the “Trapper” waits for his next unsuspected victims during GalaxyCon held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Actress and director Soleil Moon Frye autographs a photo of herself during GalaxyCon held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Bob Jensen, of Santa Clara, dressed as “Jedi master Shaak-Ti” poses for a photograph during GalaxyCon held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
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Actor Barry Bostwick, left, speaks to the crowd waiting to get into GalaxyCon at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in downtown San Jose on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Standing with Bostwick are GalaxyCon CEO Mike Broder, voice actor Brandon Rogers and San Jose Barracuda mascot Frenzy. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)
There are also scores of TV and movie actors, voice performers, comic book artists and writers, podcasters, pro wrestlers, top cosplayers and fan groups like the 501st Legion Golden Gate Garrison. Gamers — of both the table top and video varieties — have their own spot and grown-up conventiongoers can stick around for the “after dark” activities including dance parties, karaoke and cabaret shows.
Even if you check “none of the above” to all that, this weekend will be a great time for people-watching in downtown San Jose. Get more information, including times and tickets, at www.galaxycon.com/sanjose.
PRIDE PARTY: There’s another big annual event happening in downtown San Jose this weekend — the 51st annual Silicon Valley Pride celebration. Remember, while most other places celebrate Pride in June, San Jose moved its celebrations for the LGBTQ community to August decades ago to allow them to stand separately from San Francisco’s.
Members of the Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus march along Market Street during the Silicon Valley Pride Parade on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
There’s plenty going on all week, including the annual Pride flag raising at San Jose City Hall at 5 p.m. Wednesday, a comedy show at Rooster T. Feathers in Sunnyvale on Thursday night, and a 21-and-over kickoff party at the Continental Lounge and Bar on Friday.
But the big events are the downtown parade Sunday, which runs from Julian and Market streets to Plaza Park starting at 11 a.m., and the festival at the park on Saturday and Sunday, headlined by Altégo, Noodles, Kerri Colby and Fijana. You can get the full rundown of the entertainment all week at siliconvalleypride.com.
GETTING SAUCED: Maybe Poor House Bistro really does belong in San Jose’s Little Italy district. The New Orleans-style eatery — known for its po’boys, barbecue shrimp and live music — won the Boss of the Sauce contest held by Little Italy San Jose on Aug. 16.
Poor House Bistro owner Jay Meduri didn’t win last year when he entered his grandmother’s spaghetti crab sauce, but his mother’s marinara sauce impressed the trio of judges — San Jose Downtown Association CEO Brian Kurtz, Downtown Manager Michael Lomio and my Merc colleague Linda Zavoral. Sorelle Italian Bistro in Campbell took the People’s Choice Award for the second year in a row.
Poor House Bistro owner Jay Meduri, left, and his brother, Jim Meduri, won the Boss of the Sauce contest at Little Italy in San Jose on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (Photo courtesy Jay Meduri)
The Meduri family’s Italian credentials run deep. Tony Meduri, Jay’s dad, was from Calabria, Italy, and was president of Star Olive Oil.
“My mom was an amazing cook and always made the best Italian food for the family, especially her marinara,” Meduri said. Poor House Bistro features a different Italian dinner every Thursday, which Meduri says always sells out. After the big victory, he says they’ll also have “Momma’s Marinara” available every day now, upon request.