The Paley Center for Media is bringing PaleyFest NY back to New York City this fall, and the 2026 lineup is shaping up to be one of the festival’s biggest yet.
Taking place October 8–14 at the Paley Museum, this year’s festival will feature exclusive screenings, conversations with some of television and entertainment’s biggest stars, and the debut of the inaugural PaleyFest Award, a new honor recognizing excellence in media, television, and entertainment.
Among this year’s featured talent are Billy Crystal, Carrie Coon, Luke Grimes, Leslie Grossman, Michael C. Hall, Billie Lourd, Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Paulson, Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, Gabourey Sidibe, Morgan Spector, Sylvester Stallone, and Uma Thurman, with additional participants expected to be announced.
The Inaugural PaleyFest Award
The new PaleyFest Award will be presented annually as part of PaleyFest NY and is being introduced as part of the celebration of The Paley Center for Media’s 50th anniversary.
According to the Paley Center, the award recognizes the excellence, creativity, and cultural significance represented by the performers, series, and creative teams selected for PaleyFest.
The 2026 recipients include Tony and Emmy Award winner Billy Crystal, American Horror Story: 13, Dexter: Resurrection, Tulsa King, Marshals, The Gilded Age, and The Diplomat.
As part of the honor, a curated selection of each recipient’s work will also become a permanent part of the Paley Archive, preserving their contributions to media history.
“From exclusive premieres and behind-the-scenes conversations to unforgettable moments with the biggest names in entertainment, PaleyFest NY delivers unparalleled access to the stars and shows fans love,” said Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media. “This year is especially momentous as we introduce the PaleyFest Award, a mark of distinction that honors the extraordinary talent and storytelling across media, television, and entertainment.”
PaleyFest NY 2026 Schedule
The seven-day festival will feature a mix of preview screenings, anniversary celebrations, and conversations with the stars and creative teams behind some of television’s biggest shows.
Thursday, October 8 — American Horror Story: 13
The festival opens with FX’s American Horror Story: 13 at 7:00 p.m.
The evening will feature an exclusive preview screening from the anthology series’ thirteenth installment, followed by a conversation with members of the cast and creative team.
Scheduled to appear are Sarah Paulson (“Cordelia Goode”), Billie Lourd (“Mallory”), Gabourey Sidibe (“Queenie”), Leslie Grossman (“Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt”), and Co-Executive Producer Lou Eyrich, with additional panelists to be announced.
Friday, October 9 — Dexter: Resurrection & 20th Anniversary of Dexter
At 6:30 p.m., PaleyFest will celebrate 20 years of Dexter with Dexter: Resurrection on Paramount+.
The evening will include a preview screening of the Season 2 premiere followed by a conversation with the cast and creative team.
Scheduled to appear are Michael C. Hall (“Dexter Morgan”) and Executive Producer, Uma Thurman (“Charley Brown”), James Remar (“Harry Morgan”), Jack Alcott (“Harrison Morgan”), Bokeem Woodbine (“Captain Mixon”), Showrunner and Executive Producer Clyde Phillips, and Executive Producer Scott Reynolds.
Saturday, October 10 — Tulsa King
Paramount+’s Tulsa King takes over PaleyFest on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
Fans will get an advanced screening of the Season 4 premiere, followed by a special conversation with Sylvester Stallone, who stars as Dwight “The General” Manfredi and serves as an executive producer, along with additional cast members to be announced.
Sunday, October 11 — Marshals
CBS’ Marshals will be featured Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
The festival will present an exclusive preview screening from Season 2, followed by a conversation with the cast and creative team.
Scheduled to appear are Luke Grimes (“Kayce Dutton”) and Executive Producer, along with Showrunner and Executive Producer Spencer Hudnut. Additional panelists will be announced.
Monday, October 12 — An Evening with Billy Crystal
One of the festival’s marquee events will take place Monday evening with An Evening with Billy Crystal at 6:30 p.m.
The special conversation will celebrate Crystal’s extraordinary career as a comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, and host.
Crystal will reflect on his career, creative journey, and the performances that have made him one of entertainment’s most enduring figures as he prepares to return to Broadway in 860.
“I am thrilled to be honored at PaleyFest on October 12,” Crystal said. “With my opening night of my new play 860 approaching, and the emotions of being back on Broadway in the city where I was born grow bigger every day, being thought of by PaleyFest is another beautiful part of this wonderful homecoming.”
Tuesday, October 13 — The Gilded Age
HBO’s Emmy-nominated drama The Gilded Age arrives at PaleyFest Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Ahead of the series’ upcoming fourth season, the evening will feature an exclusive conversation with members of the cast and creative team, including Carrie Coon (“Bertha Russell”), Cynthia Nixon (“Ada Forte”), Morgan Spector (“George Russell”), and Writer/Executive Producer Sonja Warfield.
Wednesday, October 14 — The Diplomat
PaleyFest NY concludes Wednesday evening with Netflix’s Emmy-nominated drama The Diplomat at 6:30 p.m.
The event will feature an exclusive preview screening of the Season 4 premiere followed by a conversation with the series’ cast and creative team.
Scheduled to appear are Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, and Writer Debora Cahn; Executive Producer and star Keri Russell (“Kate Wyler”); Rufus Sewell (“Hal Wyler”); Ato Essandoh (“Stuart Hayford”); Ali Ahn (“Eidra Park”); Nana Mensah (“Billie Appiah”); and Executive Producer Janice Williams, with additional panelists to be announced.
“We’re so honored to be part of the killer lineup at PaleyFest,” said Cahn. “What a great place to give Season Four of The Diplomat its first public outing.”
When Can Fans Get PaleyFest NY Tickets?
Paley Members and Citi cardmembers receive presale access beginning Tuesday, August 11 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
The rollout is as follows:
- Tuesday, August 11 at 10:00 a.m. ET: Paley President’s Circle; Patron Circle Platinum, Gold, and Silver; Patron Circle+; Partner Members; and Citi cardmembers
- Thursday, August 13 at noon ET: Paley Individual, Family, and Supporting Members
- Friday, August 14 at noon ET: General public
Paley Members will also receive exclusive member discounts on PaleyFest NY tickets, along with year-round benefits for Paley programs and events.
Visit The Paley Center for Media
A New Chapter for PaleyFest NY
Since launching in 2013, PaleyFest NY has brought together television fans and some of the industry’s biggest names, celebrating series and personalities including Michael Douglas, Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, Seth Meyers, Tracee Ellis Ross, Aaron Sorkin, David Tennant, and Trisha Yearwood.
The festival has also celebrated shows ranging from Blue Bloods and Landman to Outlander, A Man on the Inside, Succession, The Handmaid’s Tale, Law & Order: SVU, Black Mirror, and The Walking Dead.
With the addition of the PaleyFest Award, this year’s festival isn’t just celebrating television—it is creating a new way to recognize the work that continues to shape the entertainment landscape.
PaleyFest NY 2026 runs October 8–14 at The Paley Museum in New York City.
For tickets, schedule updates, and additional announcements:
Events and participants are subject to change. Talent appearances are schedule permitting.
