The Original Experience is an exclusive, premium fan convention celebrating The Originals and the Mikaelson family.

This isn't your typical event — we've created an immersive, fantasy experience featuring a Saturday ball and Sunday convention with cast from The Originals and The Vampire Diaries universe.

The Original Experience takes place in January 2026 at the Ritz Carlton New Orleans.

— Saturday, January 31st: Mikaelson Masquerade Ball
— Sunday, February 1st: Crescent City Convention

✦ Venue: The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans, Louisiana

We have an incredible lineup of confirmed cast members.

Saturday Ball + Sunday Convention (Full Weekend):
— Daniel Gillies (Elijah Mikaelson)
— Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson)
— Claire Holt (Rebekah Mikaelson)
— Riley Voelkel (Freya Mikaelson)
— Danielle Rose Russell (Hope Mikaelson)
— Charles Michael Davis (Marcel Gerard)
— Alice Evans (Esther Mikaelson)
— Sebastian Roche (Mikael Mikaelson)
— Caspar Zafer (Finn Mikaelson)
— Persia White (Abby Bennett Wilson)

Sunday Convention Only:
— Oliver Ackland (Tristan de Martel)
— Leah Pipes (Camille O'Connell)
— Andrew Lees (Lucien Castle)

Additional cast announcements coming soon!

Yes! The Original Experience is a professionally organized fan convention featuring cast from The Originals and The Vampire Diaries.

This is a legitimate, premium event — not a third-party reseller or unauthorized convention. All cast members have contracted to appear, and the event is being produced by experienced convention organizers.

The Original Experience takes place at:

✦The Ritz Carlton New Orleans
921 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
The Ritz Carlton is located in the French Quarter, walking distance to many New Orleans attractions, restaurants, and bars.

Saturday Mikaelson Ball:
— $1,855.80 per person (all-inclusive dinner, entertainment & credit card fees included)
— Strictly limited capacity, intimate experience

Sunday Crescent City Convention:
— VIP Tickets: SOLD OUT
— General Admission: $103.10 per person (convention floor access & credit card fees included)
— À La Carte Add-ons: Photo ops, autographs, and selfies available for individual purchase

These are two completely different experiences:

Saturday Ball (Premium, All-Inclusive):
— Formal ball themed around The Originals/Mikaelson family
— Three-course plated dinner served with wine
— Group photo with cast + candid photography throughout the evening
— Live classical performers, jazz band, and dancers
— Immersive, fantasy atmosphere with no cell phones allowed
— Keepsakes to take home:
✦ Custom engraved champagne glass
✦ Handmade Mikaelson family crest charm
✦ Custom invitation signed by all cast members in attendance
— Everything included in ticket price

Sunday Convention (Elevated Traditional Format):
— Premium convention with á la carte options
— General admission entrance
— Photo ops, autographs, and selfies available for purchase
— Panels with cast members
— More casual atmosphere than Saturday, elevated quality
— Cell phones allowed

Your $1,855.80 ball ticket includes EVERYTHING:

Dining:
— Passed hors d'oeuvres and a three-course plated dinner
— Wine service with dinner (21+ only)

Keepsakes:
— Custom engraved champagne glass
— Handmade Mikaelson family crest charm
— Invitation autographed by all guests in attendance
— Photo album (you'll select candid photos taken by our photographers after the ball)

Cast Experiences:
— Group cast photo op
— Mini tableside meet and greet with each guest in attendance
— Q&A panel style with all guests in attendance

Entertainment:
— Live music and dancing

Extras:
— Raffle prizes featuring items from the Morgan-White store with other props and swag
— Surprise guest

No hidden fees — everything included in your ball ticket price.

Note: Immersive meet and greets at unique New Orleans locations take place Saturday morning and are separate from the ball. These experiences will be available for purchase online soon - stay tuned!

Yes! Sunday General Admission tickets are $103.10 and give you access to the convention floor, panels, and the ability to purchase photo ops, autographs, and other experiences a la carte.

You do NOT need to attend the Saturday Ball to come to the Sunday Crescent City Convention.

Note: Sunday VIP tickets are SOLD OUT, but GA tickets are still available.

Both Saturday and Sunday are intentionally intimate, limited-capacity events.

Saturday Ball: Strictly limited seating to maintain the exclusive, premium atmosphere. Tickets are selling and once capacity is reached, we cannot add more guests.

Sunday Crescent City Convention: Limited General Admission tickets remaining. VIP packages are SOLD OUT. We recommend securing your spot early as we approach capacity.

This isn't a mass-market convention — we've deliberately kept both days intimate to ensure quality experiences with the cast.

Anything NOT SOLD OUT will be available for purchase the day of.

All tickets must be picked up in the city of the event. You will register and receive all tickets in your packet at the venue.

Registration will be available:
— Friday 10am-4pm at the Ritz Carlton
— Saturday 10am-4pm at the Ritz Carlton

You must present your ID to pick up your tickets.

Pickup details will be announced on our social media platforms and sent via email to the purchaser.

No — all tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable. You must present your ID to pick up your tickets at the venue.

Yes! Each person needs their own ticket ($1,855.80 per person). The ball is designed as a premium experience whether you attend solo or with friends.

No — the ball and Sunday convention are two different events and each requires a ticket to attend.

Yes, everyone entering the venue will need an admission ticket.

Phones will be checked in and placed in a locked pouch. You will be free to step out of the room and check out your phone to use as needed.

Any ADA accommodations will be made at the venue. We will have an ADA specialist on site.

This creates special — "you had to be there" moments — and allows cast members and guests to interact more authentically. Professional photographers will capture moments throughout the evening.

Yes! We will be offering exclusive meet and greet experiences at unique New Orleans locations on Saturday afternoon, separate from the ball. These intimate experiences will be sold separately and are not included with ball or convention tickets.

Details on locations, cast pairings, pricing, and how to purchase will be announced soon. Stay tuned to our social media for updates!

Who can purchase: Any ticket holder (ball or Sunday Crescent City Convention) will be able to purchase Saturday's meet and greets.

We will start at 5pm for check-in. You should register and receive all tickets including a ball ticket in your packet. Present your ball ticket at check-in.

Registration: Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm at the venue (Ritz Carlton)

Talent arrival: 6pm — We want to make sure everyone is in the ballroom by 6pm so no one misses time with talent.

Black tie optional — but let's be honest, the Mikaelsons wouldn't show up in business casual.

This is a formal evening at the Ritz Carlton. Gowns, cocktail dresses, suits, tuxedos — whatever makes you feel like you just walked into the Mikaelson compound for a family gathering. Dark colors, rich fabrics, and a little drama are encouraged.

You've been invited to a ball. Dress like it.

The Saturday Ball includes a three-course plated dinner served with wine. Guests will select their entree option:

Beef Tenderloin
— Beef tenderloin with bordelaise sauce
— Lyonnaise potatoes
— Grilled asparagus

Seed Crusted Salmon
— Seed crusted salmon with mirliton potatoes
— Garlic swiss chard

Vegan Penne Pasta
— Vegan penne pasta with wild mushrooms and spinach

All meals are professionally plated and served at your table with a curated wine selection. Dietary accommodations are available upon request.

Sunday photo ops are sold separately (a la carte). You can purchase:

— Solo photos with individual cast members
— Duo photos with cast pairs (e.g., Daniel Gillies & Joseph Morgan)
— Trio photos with multiple cast members
— Selfies with cast members (you use your own phone)

How many people can be in a photo op or selfie: 2 people can be in a photo op or selfie. Children 6 and under are excluded from the 2 people count.

Prices vary by cast member and package. Professional photographers will be on-site for photo ops, and you'll receive digital copies.

Autographs are sold separately on Sunday. You can purchase autograph opportunities with individual cast members. Bring your own items to be signed, or purchase official merchandise on-site.

Prices vary by cast member.

Yes! Sunday is set up as a traditional convention with individual booths for cast members. You can choose which cast members you want to meet based on the photo ops, autographs, and selfie opportunities you purchase.

Note: Some cast members are only attending Sunday, while others are attending both Saturday and Sunday.

We are committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all attendees. We reserve the right to refuse entry to any guest(s) due to:

— Unruly conduct
— Over-intoxication
— Fraud
— Improper dress (e.g., no shoes, no shirt)

If any of the above applies, tickets will not be refunded. Please be respectful of cast members, staff, and fellow attendees throughout the event.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. In the unlikely event the convention or ball is cancelled, refunds will be issued to the original method of payment.

Refunds will not be provided for inability to attend, scheduling conflicts, or other personal circumstances.

In the event of a guest cancellation, you will be refunded any person-specific items.

Age requirements vary by event:

Sunday Crescent City Convention:
— Children 6 and under are free for General Admission only
— All Meet & Greets require a purchased ticket for each person attending, regardless of age

Saturday Mikaelson Ball:
— Ages 14+ event
— All attendees require a purchased ticket

Photography and recording policies differ by event:

Saturday Mikaelson Ball:
— Cell phones, video, and recording devices are not permitted inside the ball
— Professional photographers will capture candid moments throughout the evening
— Photo keepsakes will be provided to all attendees

Sunday Convention:
— Personal photography is NOT allowed on the convention floor (autograph tables, photo booth areas)
— Videos and photos ARE allowed during panels

We are all set for volunteers at this time. If we do need more, we will post in the official group.