GalaxyCon Columbus takes over the Greater Columbus Convention Center Friday through Sunday, December 4–6, 2026 for its three-day Festival of Fandom — the biggest pop culture convention in central Ohio and a major year-end destination for trading card, comic, and collectibles enthusiasts. While GalaxyCon's headline programming leans toward celebrity guests, cosplay, and panels, its massive vendor hall is genuinely one of the best year-end card and collectibles shopping destinations in the state. With the holidays just weeks away, dealers bring their very best inventory.
The vendor hall features hundreds of tables spanning every corner of the hobby. Sports card dealers stock MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, UFC, boxing, and soccer product across every era — pre-war tobacco, vintage Topps and Bowman, 1970s and 1980s runs, junk-wax 1990s, and modern Panini Prizm, Donruss Optic, Select, Topps Chrome, Bowman Draft, and premium National Treasures, Flawless, and Immaculate. Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Cavaliers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Ohio State Buckeyes inventory is typically stocked deep for the local holiday-gift market. TCG tables are loaded with Pokémon singles and sealed product from vintage WOTC Base Set through Scarlet & Violet and Japanese exclusives, plus Magic: The Gathering Commander, Standard, and collector booster product, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece TCG, Disney Lorcana, Dragon Ball Z Fusion World, Digimon, Star Wars Unlimited, and Flesh and Blood. Comic vendors bring deep Silver Age, Bronze Age, and modern key-issue inventory. Graded slabs from PSA, BGS, SGC, CGC, and CBCS fill dozens of locked cases, and additional tables cover autographed memorabilia, Funko Pops, anime figures, video games, manga, toys, and hobby supplies.
Friday hours typically run 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, with exact times and ticketing confirmed by GalaxyCon closer to the event. Weekend and single-day passes are available in General Admission and VIP tiers through the official GalaxyCon site, with early-bird options for priority entry. Kids 10 and under typically enter free with a paying adult. Programming features celebrity guests from film, television, wrestling, and voice acting; cosplay contests; artist-alley meet-and-greets; and gaming tournaments.
The Greater Columbus Convention Center is located at 400 North High Street in downtown Columbus's Short North arts district, walking distance from the Hyatt Regency, Nationwide Arena, and dozens of restaurants. Paid parking is available in the GCCC garages and nearby downtown lots. The venue is fully ADA accessible with elevators, escalators, and accessible restrooms on every level. Short North, Arena District, and downtown dining offer post-con options for every budget.
This show is a must-attend for holiday shoppers, serious buyers, and families alike. Holiday gift shoppers can find graded slabs, sealed booster boxes, vintage comics, signed memorabilia, and curated lots perfect for under the tree. Serious buyers treat the weekend as a year-end trophy hunt. Families enjoy the cosplay atmosphere and celebrity meet-and-greets. TCG players and competitors scout singles for winter regional tournaments and league play.
For the best experience, buy weekend passes in advance for priority entry, arrive Friday afternoon or right at 10:00 AM Saturday for fresh inventory, bring cash plus Venmo and Zelle backups, and carry a want list split by category. Pack penny sleeves, top loaders, bags and boards, and a sturdy carrying box. Follow @galaxyconcolumbus on Instagram and the GalaxyCon website for guest announcements, panel schedules, and vendor previews.