THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF PALEYFEST NY AND UNVEILS THE INAUGURAL PALEYFEST AWARD RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN MEDIA, TELEVISION, AND ENTERTAINMENT
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
The 2026 PaleyFest Award Recipients Include Tony and Emmy Award®-Winner Billy Crystal, American Horror Story, Dexter: Resurrection, Tulsa King, Marshals, The Gilded Age, and The Diplomat
The Fall’s Premier Festival Returns to the Iconic Paley Museum October 8–14
The Star-Studded PaleyFest NY Lineup Includes Carrie Coon, Billy Crystal, 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
PaleyFest NY Is Made Possible by Returning Sponsor Citi®
Paley Members and Citi Cardmembers Receive Presale Access to Tickets Starting Today
New York, NY, August 11, 2026 – The Paley Center for Media today announced the highly anticipated return of PaleyFest NY, taking place October 8–14 at the iconic Paley Museum. This year's festival will mark a major milestone with the debut of the inaugural PaleyFest Award, a prestigious new honor recognizing excellence in media, television, and entertainment. Paley Members and Citi cardmembers receive exclusive presale access to tickets beginning today at 10:00 am ET. PaleyFest NY is made possible by returning sponsor Citi.
For decades, PaleyFest—held annually in New York and Los Angeles—has been the premier celebration of media, television, and entertainment, bringing audiences together with the industry’s most influential series, creators, performers, and cultural icons. The PaleyFest Award builds on that legacy by formally recognizing that selection to PaleyFest is itself a mark of distinction, reflecting the excellence, creativity, and cultural significance that have long defined the festival. Established to commemorate Paley’s 50th anniversary, the award will be presented annually as part of PaleyFest NY.
Alongside the award, a curated selection of each award recipient’s work will become a permanent part of the Paley Archive—hailed as a national treasure—preserving each recipient’s work for posterity and securing its place in 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. 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,” said Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media. “As we continue celebrating Paley’s 50th anniversary, we are thrilled to welcome audiences back to The Paley Museum this October for this year’s exciting festival, and we extend our sincere thanks to our friends at Citi for their continued partnership, which makes these extraordinary experiences possible.”
The PaleyFest Award recipients who are a part of the exciting 2026 festival include:
• Tony and Emmy Award®-winner Billy Crystal as he celebrates his triumphant return to Broadway in 860
• The highly anticipated FX’s American Horror Story: 13
• A 20th anniversary celebration of the award-winning series Dexter with a screening of Dexter: Resurrection’s season 2 premiere episode
• The hit series Tulsa King ahead of its season 4 premiere
• A celebration of television’s #1 new series, Marshals, with an advanced season 2 screening
• The riveting Primetime Emmy Award–nominated series The Diplomat
• The rich and sweeping Primetime Emmy Award–nominated series The Gilded Age
“I am thrilled to be honored at PaleyFest on October 12. I look forward to joining the distinguished list of honorees. 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,” Billy Crystal
"We're so honored to be part of the killer line-up at PaleyFest. What a great place to give Season Four of The Diplomat its first public outing,” said Debora Cahn, Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, and Writer
Citi cardmembers and Paley Members receive presale access to tickets starting today with the rollout schedule as follows:
Paley President’s Circle; Patron Circle Platinum, Gold, Silver; Patron Circle+; Partner Members; and Citi cardmembers can purchase tickets starting Tuesday, August 11 at 10:00 am ET.
Paley Individual, Family, and Supporting Members can purchase tickets on Thursday, August 13 at noon ET.
The general public will have access to purchase tickets on Friday, August 14 at noon ET.
Additionally, the Paley Member community receives the exclusive Members-Only benefit of discounts on PaleyFest NY tickets, plus year-round benefits for Paley programs and events. To become a Paley Member, please visit paleycenter.org/join-us.
Since its inception in 2013, PaleyFest NY has celebrated the most acclaimed and impactful shows and entertainment luminaries including Michael Douglas, Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, Seth Meyers, Tracee Ellis Ross, Aaron Sorkin, David Tennant, and Trisha Yearwood, as well as the casts and creative teams behind iconic shows such as Blue Bloods, Landman, Pluribus, Outlander, A Man on the Inside, Succession, The Handmaid’s Tale, Law & Order: SVU, Black Mirror, The Walking Dead, and countless more. Fans can relive many of these iconic moments and events on Paley's YouTube channel, along with other great moments from across Paley’s incredible fifty-year history.
For tickets and updates on PaleyFest NY, please visit paleyfest.org, our Facebook page and follow @PaleyCenter on X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Threads, and TikTok.
PaleyFest NY 2026 Schedule and Guests:
Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 pm – FX’s American Horror Story: 13 (FX)
Featuring an exclusive preview screening of an episode from installment 13 followed by a conversation with members of the cast and creative team from the hit anthology’s all-star thirteenth installment.
Scheduled to appear: Sarah Paulson, “Cordelia Goode”; Billie Lourd, “Mallory"; Gabourey Sidibe, “Queenie”; Leslie Grossman, “Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt”; Lou Eyrich, Co-Executive Producer; and additional panelists to be announced
Friday, October 9 at 6:30 pm – Dexter: Resurrection & 20th Anniversary of Dexter (Paramount+)
As the Dexter franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary, the evening will feature a preview screening of the Dexter: Resurrection season 2 premiere episode followed by a conversation with the show’s cast and creative team.
Scheduled to appear: Michael C. Hall, “Dexter Morgan” and Executive Producer; Uma Thurman, “Charley Brown”; James Remar, “Harry Morgan”; Jack Alcott, “Harrison Morgan”; Bokeem Woodbine,
“Captain Mixon”; Clyde Phillips, Showrunner and Executive Producer; and Scott Reynolds, Executive Producer
Saturday, October 10 at 6:00 pm – Tulsa King (Paramount+)
An advanced screening of the season 4 premiere episode, followed by a special conversation with Sylvester Stallone and additional cast members from the hit Paramount+ series.
Scheduled to appear: Sylvester Stallone, “Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi” and Executive Producer; and additional panelists to be announced
Sunday, October 11 at 6:30 pm – Marshals (CBS)
Featuring an exclusive preview screening of an upcoming episode from the second season of the hit CBS series, followed by a conversation with members of the cast and creative team.
Scheduled to appear: Luke Grimes, “Kayce Dutton” & Executive Producer; Spencer Hudnut, Showrunner & Executive Producer; and additional panelists to be announced
Monday, October 12 at 6:30 pm – An Evening with Billy Crystal
Celebrating the extraordinary career of Billy Crystal in a special conversation with the legendary comedian, actor, writer, producer, and host. As Crystal returns to Broadway in 860, he reflects on the performances, experiences, and creative journey that have made him one of entertainment’s—and television’s—most enduring and beloved performers.
Scheduled to appear: Billy Crystal, Tony and Emmy Award®-winning Comedian, Actor, Producer, Writer, and Director
Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 pm – The Gilded Age (HBO)
Ahead of the new season of the Emmy-nominated HBO hit series The Gilded Age, the evening will feature an exclusive conversation with the show's stars and executive producer, who will share behindthe-scenes stories and offer insights into what’s in store for the upcoming fourth season.
Scheduled to appear: Carrie Coon, “Bertha Russell”; Cynthia Nixon, “Ada Forte”; Morgan Spector, “George Russell”; and Sonja Warfield, Writer/Executive Producer
Wednesday, October 14 at 6:30 pm – The Diplomat (Netflix)
Featuring an exclusive preview screening of the Emmy-nominated Netflix drama’s Season 4 premiere, followed by a conversation with members of the cast and creative team.
Scheduled to appear: Debora Cahn, Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, and Writer; Keri Russell, Executive Producer and “Kate Wyler”; Rufus Sewell, “Hal Wyler”; Ato Essandoh, “Stuart Hayford”; Ali Ahn, “Eidra Park”; Nana Mensah, “Billie Appiah”; and Janice Williams, Executive Producer; and additional panelists to be announced
*Events & Participants Subject to Change. Talent Appear Schedule Permitting.
For members of the press interested in covering PaleyFest NY, please apply for credentials here.
Media Contacts:
Teresa Brady, The Paley Center for Media, 212.621.6757, tbrady@paleycenter.org
PMK Entertainment, paleycenter@pmkentertainment.com
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About The Paley Center for Media
Founded by media pioneer William S. Paley in 1975, and chaired by Frank A. Bennack, Jr. since 1991, The Paley Center for Media is the world’s leading nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to preserving media history and exploring media’s powerful shaping influence on culture and society. The Paley Center for Media, which owns the iconic Philip Johnson-designed Paley Museum, has proudly made its home in New York City for fifty years. The Paley Museum is where media, sports, gaming, and entertainment come together and has been recognized as New York City's "Best Museum" and "Best Children’s Party Place" for three years in a row.
During the year, the Paley Center produces unmatched programs and respected educational classes for the public and industry. Paley’s best-in-class public programming offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive access to today’s most talked about names through memorable programs that are entertaining, educational, and captivate audiences across generations. On the industry side, programs educate, inform, and lead the conversation on the rapidly evolving media landscape. Paley’s unmatched convening power offers unparalleled access to top industry CEOs, world dignitaries, and global thought leaders. At the heart of the institution is the Paley Archive, the largest publicly accessible collection of its kind—with more than 160,000 programs. Often referred to as a national treasure, this invaluable resource is available at The Paley Museum in New York and at the Beverly Hills Public Library in California and plays a central role in Paley’s respected educational initiatives that serve K-12 educators and students throughout the year.