Garland Cultural Arts and the It Came From Texas Film Festival invite fans to set coordinates for Downtown Garland on Saturday, September 12, as Boldly Going to Garland: Celebrating 60 Years of Star Trek transforms both the historic Plaza Theatre (521 W State Street) and the Garland Central Library (625 Austin Street) into a Federation outpost for an all-day celebration of one of popular culture’s most beloved franchises.
GarlandArts.com
Day Passes: $55
Direct link for tickets: https://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/-2852527949098982872
WHAT TO EXPECT
Unlike a traditional fan convention, Boldly Going to Garland is built around the films and television episodes themselves. Audiences will gather inside the Plaza Theatre to experience Star Trek on the big screen, where classic adventures become shared experiences. Throughout the day, screenings are paired with conversations providing context, costume contests, and interactive programming, making the event equal parts film festival, celebration, and Starfleet reunion.
Just a short walk away, the Garland Central Library (open free to the public from 10 am-6 pm) expands the adventure with collectibles displays, vendors, music, fan films, blooper reels, workshops and hands-on activities. Guests can make their own Captain’s Log, paint Combadges, create their own Tribble to take home, browse collectibles, join a Sci-Fi writing session, and discover hidden corners of Star Trek fandom between screenings.
Whether attendees are lifelong Trekkies (or Trekkers), casual fans, or introducing a new generation to the Federation, Boldly Going to Garland offers an experience unlike anything else this side of the Neutral Zone.
Day passes are on sale now for $55, but quantities are limited. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. No replicator backups.
Fans are encouraged to beam over to GarlandArts.com or head directly here before all available seats reach warp speed and are out of here.
HOW THIS CAME TO BE
“When we were tossing around ideas for this year’s It Came From Texas Film Festival, we landed on a celebration of sixty years of exploring strange new worlds. The campy and quirky arts scene of Garland comes full circle for one unforgettable day of big-screen screenings, prestigious guests, exhibits, workshops, costume contests, and more,” said Festival Director Kelly Kitchens.
“Did you know that Star Trek has it own Lone Star connection from the very beginning? Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek creator, was born in El Paso. Not only that, but did you know that Garland even has its own Star Trek Lane? You can’t get more campy and quirky than that! I love that the final frontier and the Lone Star State have always shared the same flight plan—and giving the It Came From Texas Film Festival every reason to make this galactic celebration its own in Garland,” Kitchens concluded.
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CAPTAIN’S LOG: FESTIVAL GUESTS
Rather than traditional question-and-answer sessions, Boldly Going to Garland will present Captain’s Conversations moderated by Nancy Churnin, former theater critic turned author and Star Trek lover hosting live discussions chronicled as entries in the day’s own Captain’s Log.
Dr. Christopher González, whose scholarship explores Latinx performers in science fiction, will provide new perspectives on representation throughout the Star Trek universe. His work offers the perfect bridge into the festival’s presentation of Star Trek: The Original Series episode “Space Seed,” followed immediately by its legendary cinematic sequel, STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN.
Academy Award-winning makeup artist Barney Burman will take audiences behind the scenes and into his creations of the characters’ looks of J.J. Abrams’ 2009 reboot, STAR TREK, sharing stories from the production that earned the franchise its first—and still only—Academy Award.
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Captain’s Log: Diversity in the Federation — with Dr. Christopher González
González discusses Star Trek’s groundbreaking commitment to diversity beginning with the original 1966 series, while examining how representation has continued to evolve across the franchise. His discussion provides context for the screening of “Space Seed” and its continuation in STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN.
Captain’s Log: Creating New Worlds — with Barney Burman
Burman explores designing the unforgettable aliens and characters of 2009’s STAR TREK, the film that earned the franchise’s only Oscar.
Both Captain’s Conversations will be moderated by Nancy Churnin, former Dallas Morning News critic, acclaimed children’s author, and lifelong Star Trek fan.
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FACT SHEET
BOLDLY GOING TO GARLAND:
Celebrating 60 Years of Star Trek
An Intergalactic Adventure from the It Came From Texas Film Festival
WHAT
A one-day Star Trek celebration unlike a traditional fan convention.
The Plaza Theatre features classic television and film screenings, celebrity Captain’s Conversations, trivia, costume contests, and more.
The Garland Central Library features exhibits, art and collectibles, vendors, music, fan films, blooper reels, workshops including Klingon 101 and Make Your Own Tribble, and interactive activities throughout the day.
While the events at the Library are free, a day pass grants admission to the Plaza Theatre.
ADMISSION
Day Pass for the Plaza events and screenings: $55
Availability is limited.
No exceptions.
No replicator backups.
WHEN
Saturday, September 12, 2026
The Plaza Theatre open from 10 am-10 pm
The Garland Central Library open from 10 am-6 pm
WHERE
Plaza Theatre
521 W. State Street
Garland, Texas
Garland Central Library
625 Austin Street
Garland, Texas
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SCREENINGS
Full schedule still warping into place. More details will be beaming down soon.
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES
“Space Seed” (1967)
The episode that introduced Khan Noonien Singh, presented with special context from Dr. Christopher González before audiences continue the story on the big screen.
STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982)
The beloved feature film follows after “Space Seed,” allowing audiences to experience one of Star Trek’s greatest stories as one continuous adventure.
STAR TREK (2009)
J.J. Abrams’ acclaimed reboot featuring the Academy Award-winning makeup work of festival guest Barney Burman.
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CONNECT
#ItCameFromTXFF
#BoldlyGoingToGarland
GarlandArts.com
Direct ticket link:
https://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/-2852527949098982872