For fans of The Vampire Diaries, the weekend offers a chance to revisit Mystic Falls with the actors who brought Damon and Stefan Salvatore to television. Somerhalder and Wesley are scheduled to appear onstage both days, with their shared panel set for Sunday. Both are also advertised for autograph and photo opportunities on Saturday and Sunday.
The gathering reaches beyond its two headliners. Kat Graham, who played Bonnie Bennett, is scheduled for both days, while Matthew Davis, known as Alaric Saltzman, is slated for Sunday. Saturday’s lineup includes Daniel Gillies, who portrayed Elijah Mikaelson, Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood) and Michael Malarkey (Enzo St. John). Riley Voelkel, who played Freya Mikaelson on The Originals, is expected both days, while Lawrence Kao of The Originals is scheduled for Saturday.
The convention draws on a television universe that expanded from The Vampire Diaries into The Originals and Legacies. The original series ran from 2009 to 2017, and its mix of supernatural mythology, complicated relationships and memorable characters continues to inspire fan gatherings years after its finale. Whippany’s event brings multiple branches of that universe together for panels, audience interaction and opportunities to meet the performers.
Beyond the guest appearances, Creation is planning a full weekend of fan programming. Friday, October 23, brings a free welcome karaoke party, which the organizer says does not require convention admission, subject to capacity. Saturday evening features a Celebration Concert with musical host Chase Coleman, house band Mercy Mode and possible guest participants. The concert is included with certain weekend pass tiers, while separate concert tickets are listed at $35.
Additional activities include a cosplay contest, trivia competition, merchandise vendors, a Sunday special-effects makeup class and other limited-capacity fan experiences. Micah Joe Parker, who appeared as Adrian on The Vampire Diaries, will serve as a convention host. Photo sessions and autograph opportunities are offered separately or through qualifying admission packages; availability, guest schedules and individual prices vary.
For attendees hoping to capture a reunion photo, Creation lists a Sunday-only joint photo opportunity with Somerhalder and Wesley. Other combinations pair stars from The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, allowing fans to choose the encounters that matter most to them. Attendees should review what their admission tier includes before purchasing additional experiences.
With Halloween arriving the following weekend, the timing gives the Morris County event a fitting seasonal atmosphere. But the weekend is less a haunted attraction than a celebration of the actors, stories and shared fandom that have kept the franchise visible long after its original broadcast run.
Creation notes that its detailed show schedule is generally posted during the week of the convention to accommodate performers’ travel and work commitments. Programming ordinarily begins around 9 or 10 a.m. and wraps up in the late afternoon, with evening events afterward. Guests and activities remain subject to change.
Event information
Event: Creation’s Vampire Fan Weekend — New Jersey 2026
Dates: October 24–25, 2026; free welcome karaoke scheduled for Friday, October 23
Location: Hanover Marriott Hotel, 1401 Route 10 East, Whippany, NJ 07981 (Morris County)
Featured guests: Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Kat Graham, Matthew Davis, Daniel Gillies, Michael Trevino, Michael Malarkey, Riley Voelkel, Lawrence Kao and others
Admission: Weekend passes and additional experiences available through Creation Entertainment. Admission is required for photo ops/autographs on the relevant day; the Friday karaoke event is an exception.
Official details and tickets: https://creationent.com/events/vfw-nj26/
Sources and reporting notes
https://creationent.com/events/vfw-nj26/
https://creationent.com/events/vfw-nj26/guests/
https://creationent.com/events/vfw-nj26/experiences/
https://creationent.com/events/vfw-nj26/tickets/
https://creationent.com/events/vfw-nj26/hotel/
Information checked October 8, 2026. Guest appearances, pricing, and programming are subject to organizer updates. The convention listing notes cancellations for Alice Evans and Ben Levin; neither is included among the expected guests above.
Event, guest and ticket details attributed to the Creation Entertainment pages linked in Sources and reporting notes. Event details are subject to change; check organizers before travel.