Gilmore Girls Fan Fest October 16-18, 2026 in Guilford, CT: A Great Mother’s Day Gift, Gift To Yourself, Etc.
Okay, folks, Mother’s Day is coming up. If there is a mother in your life (human or fur mother) who is a major Gilmore Girls fan, you would win infinity points by getting her a ticket to this year’s Gilmore Girls Fan Fest (technically the Fan Fest Society’s Firelight Event). And, obviously, if you are a big fan, buy one for yourself, too.
If you are a big Gilmore Girls fan, you NEED to attend the Fan Fest Society’s Firelight Event October 16-18, 2026 in Guilford, CT.
One of the biggest (basically behind my husband Sean and our wonderful cats) blessings in my life is the Fan Fest Fan-Mily. When telling a potential new Fan Fest attendee about Fan Fest recently, I mentioned a recent conversation with a friend of mine about how lifechanging attending Fan Fest has been for me. My friend realized throughout the conversation that so many of my good friends and favorite experiences in life were at Fan Fest or because of Fan Fest. He looked at me and said, “you know how in law school we learned about ‘but for causation? I think that Fan Fest is your ‘but for’ cause for nearly all of your favorite things in life.” He was correct. But for Fan Fest, I would not have had so many weekends or days that I can call “the time of my life.” I would not have so many friends who genuinely care about me and support me.
Guilford’s town green and the businesses, restaurants, town hall, and churches nearby are about as Stars Hollow as it gets, especially in the fall.
You’ll be surrounded by fellow fans and immersed in a world of Gilmore Girls, which includes cast and crew guests who will often just chat with you on the street, outside of the event tent, near the fire pit, or even in line for the restroom (seriously, I met Kathleen Wilhoite, who played Liz Danes, in line for the restroom at GGFF in 2022).
This is not a traditional convention. Although the ticket is just over $420 (this includes a 3% transaction fee, which is labeled as a “ticketing fee”) and may not be affordable for everyone, what you get is a bargain. You pay for your own transportation, food, and lodging (if applicable), but all meet and greets, photos, and autographs are included.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have—it’s an honor to help spread the word about Fan Fest. (Also, I’m not an organizer or owner for Fan Fest. I make no money off of this. I’m just a fellow fan who is externally grateful for the experiences I have had attending Fan Fest and the lifechanging experiences, including being part of the Fan-Mily).
If you decide to purchase tickets, I have a favor to ask. There is a line for “ambassador.” If you have never attended a Firelight Event or did not attend in 2025, then you are eligible to list an ambassador. My name is Meghan Phillips.
If I place in the top 10, there are perks for both of us. (I was first in 2025, 2nd in 2024, and tied for 3rd or 4th in 2023). More than the perks, it would just mean a lot to me. (Regardless of whether you list me as an ambassador or if you purchase tickets, I’m here to answer questions.)
If you have Gilmore Girls obsessed friends and loved ones (or even someone who would come with you just to see you happy in Gilmore Girls heaven), tag them in this post, too! (My husband has attended with me since 2022 and even proposed during Nick Holmes’ meet and greet in 2024.)
The guests announced thus far for this year are:
Shelly Cole (Madeline)
Nick Holmes (Robert from the Life and Death Brigade)
Artie O’Daly (Seth from the Life and Death Brigade)
Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim)
Rini Bell (Kirk’s girlfriend Lulu)
Aris Alvarado (Cesar)
Grant Lee Phillips (Town Troubadour)
Here’s a video that Gilmore Girls key set customer Valerie Campbell made, which does a great job of describing the uniqueness of the event as well as why each of the 7 guests announced thus far is spectacular (more will be announced if ticket sales warrant it): https://m.youtube.com/shorts/JOvTwWBe3Oc?ra=m
If you have made it this far, here is the link to purchase tickets:
https://www.thefanfestsociety.com/tickets
\#GilmoreGirlsFanFest #GGFF #FirelightEvent #LifechangingExperience #TeamGilmoreGirls