If you’ve ever longed to stay up all night participating in a town dance marathon a la “Gilmore Girls,” or just wanted to connect with others who share that desire, the “Firelight Event” may be what you’re looking for.
Named after the annual Stars Hollow event celebrating the town’s origins, the three-day festival gives fans a chance to meet others who love “Gilmore Girls” and, the best part, meet members of the cast.
Kelly Bishop Joins Star-Studded Lineup for 2025’s ‘Firelight Event’
Created in 2016 by Jennie and Marcus Whitaker, the “Gilmore Girls” Fan Fest has been renamed twice. In 2024, it began to be called “The Firelight Event.” With three days of events, meet and greets, photo ops, and panels, it is one of fans’ favorite “Gilmore Girls” celebrations. For most, the best part is meeting the cast and crew from the show.
For 2025, Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim), Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn), Aris Alvarado (Caeser), Kathleen Wilhoite (Liz Danes), Olivia Hack (Tana Schrick), Vanessa Marano (April Nardini), George Bell (Professor Bell), Nick Holmes (Robert Grimaldi), and Matt Newton (Jack Springsteen) will be among the cast attending. Producer and writer Stan Zimmerman and costumer Valerie Campbell will also be in attendance. But the biggest name wasn’t announced until July: Kelly Bishop.
Bishop played Emily Gilmore, Lorelai’s mother and the matriarch of the Gilmore clan. While Lorelei and Emily’s relationship was often fraught with tension, the two cared deeply about each other. But the fractured nature of their relationship made it difficult for each to be vulnerable with the other.
Lauren Graham Has Admitted That She’ll ‘Always’ Return for More ‘Gilmore Girls’
Recently, the beloved series found a new home at the Hallmark Channel. This gives old and new fans a chance to watch — or rewatch — the antics and adventures of our favorite mother-daughter duo. “The Firelight Event” takes place in Guilford, Connecticut. It is the second year that it’s been held there. Initially, it was held in Washington Depot. The town that is said to be the inspiration for the show’s fictional location of Stars Hollow.
In the past, cast members such as Scott Cohen (Max Medina), Gregg Henry (Mitchum Huntzberger), Rose Abdoo (Gypsy), Sall Struthers (Babette), Rini Bell (Lulu), and Sean Gunn (Kirk) have also appeared at the event.
Earlier this year, Lauren Graham, who played Lorelai, got everyone’s hopes up. She told Drew Barrymore that she’s always come back for more “Gilmore Girls” because “It’s my favorite character.” She also admitted that she’d pitched the idea of a holiday special to the show’s creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino.
“For me to go back, I was on a cloud. It was pure joy.”
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Calling All ‘Gilmore Girls’ Fans! This Could Be Your Chance to Meet Some Stars