What to Know
- While guests are required to have a badge to enter the San Diego Convention Center, where the official event is held, that doesn't mean you can't get into the fun of Comic-Con. There is so much to do, see, taste and experience across San Diego
- San Diego Comic-Con 2022 runs from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23, with some events starting as soon as Monday, July 17
- This year, take a walk in "Jurassic Park," let's go party with Barbie, or fiesta with Casa Mexico
It's that time of year, again, when the Gaslamp Quarter floods with fans repping their favorite movie and tv characters, cosplayers donning their best anime looks, and superhero lovers embodying characters straight out of the comic books.
That means San Diego Comic-Con is back in the Gaslamp Quarter for 2023.
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Comic-Con is a pretty niche event and one that's increasingly difficult to attend. But for casual fans or those who failed to score the coveted badge -- even the curious who just want to see what the hubbub is all about -- there's still plenty to experience outside the gates to the main event.
From freebies and giveaways to interactive experiences, photo-ops and so, so much more, we have a guide to the top Comic-Con attractions that can be experienced outside the actual event. Here's what's in store this year:
In Your Neighborhood
👪 Family-friendly | 🆓 Free | ⭐Must-see | ➕ For a cause | 🎉 Nightlife | 🎫 Ticketed event | 🍴🍺 Food/drinks
Adult Swim Festival on the Green
🆓 | Thursday, July 20 to Saturday, July 22, Times vary | 5th Avenue Landing
Call it the Coachella of the adult animated world. Behind the Convention Center, expect a slew of experiences at the Adult Swim Festival grounds. Expect live music, comedy shows, games and more on the lineup for this free event. All reserveable spots are taken but a stand-by line will be available each day for those 18 and up.
Casa Mexico at Comic-Con
🆓🍴 | Thursday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Seaport Villiage
Join the Fiesta at Seaport Village where hosts Casa Mexico are pulling out all the stops with live music, delicious authentic cuisine and a exhibition featuring the Mexican comic artist Rius.
Camp Snoopy
Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Gaslamp Quarter
Always a staple at San Diego Comic-Con is the Peanuts gang. This year, they'll be in the Gaslamp for a free pop-up experience at 200 J. Street, Suite 105. Go bird spotting with Snoopy, learn to read a compass and mail a letter (with cookies) to your folks back home -- just like camp. This will also be the place for any Peanuts-themed merch you want to get your hands on.
Come On Barbie, Let's Go Party
🍴 Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 23, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. | US Grant Hotel
Become a life-sized Barbie at the US Grant Hotel (326 Broadway) where a special party is underway for the pink icon. Guests will be able to step inside the packaging for a photo opp before dining at the Grant Grill Lounge, which is first-come, first-serve. The Grant Grill Lounge is pink-ifying some of its dishes, like the Live Your Dream cocktail, a tequila-based drink with prickly pear, and the Hi Barbie, Hi Ken sliders, which are made with fried ship and pineapple coleslaw, to name a few. The menu is exclusive for SDCC, so get it before it the color fades on Sunday.
Comic-Con Museum
👪🎫 | Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Balboa Park
Pop-Culture fans can get their fix almost 365 days a year and without the hefty badge price tag at the Comic-Con Museum (2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego). This year during the convention, the museum will introduce new exhibits dedicated to comic book legend Stan Lee and the anime series "Cowboy Bebop." Fans can also step into the worlds of Pacmac, Gumby and other pop-culture icons and can attend other events. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $12 for children and $18 for students, seniors and military members.
Energize Lounge by Hero Within
Thursday, July 20 to Sunday July 23, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (12 p.m. Sunday) | Gaslamp Quarter
The Con is long and when you're in need of a mid-day pick-me-up, you'll want to find yourself at the Energize Lounge (332 J Street, San Diego). This Star Trek-themed coffee lounge will be serving up Vulcan Vanilla Lattes and cold brews just blocks away from the convention center at 332 J Street.
Her Universe Fashion Show
⭐🆓 | Thursday, July 20, 6 p.m. | Manchester Grand Hyatt
Actress and Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein founded Her Universe to combine fandom and fashion. The Her Universe Fashion show has become an annual tradition for both professional and amateur designers who dazzle the runway with pieces flaunting their favorite movies, comic books and characters. This year, fashionistas will find their happy place to bring the very best of Disney to the show. TWO winners will be selected to join Eckstein in creating a new collection for her line. Fashion and pop-culture fans line up for hours for this free fashion show in the Harbor Ballroom of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, which may even include a celebrity sighting or two. Seating is first come, first served.
Hunger Action Heroes
➕ Friday, July 21, 2-4 p.m. | Comic-Con Museum
Become a hero and give back by volunteering your time with Feeding San Diego and superheroes. Donations can be dropped off at the Comic-Con Museum (2131 Pan American Plaza) and volunteers will sift and sort through food to create packages for those in need.
If/Then STEAM Fair
👪 Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Comic-Con Museum (Balboa Park)
Join the superheroes of STEAM, an acronym for careers in the field of science and technology, for some hands-on and educational fun. The free event is open to all ages and will show how pop culture and science intersect and are a part of our daily lives. How do earthquakes and spaghetti relate? How can fruit power technology? Those are some questions guests can answer on their own through experimentation. You do need a ticket to the Comic-Con Museum to check out this event but it's a good opportunity to meet some amazing women with STEAM careers who will be on hand to showcase what they do and to answer any questions.
Kitties & Coffee
🎫 | Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23, Times vary | The Cat Cafe
Even the best superheroes need some off-time. Take a break from the bustle of the Con at The Cat Cafe located at 302 Island Avenue, San Diego. Spaces is limited to 10 people per 50-minute session, so reserve your spot here. Each $25 comes with a coffee and unlimited kitty snuggles.
The Lodge: A Paramount+ Experience
Wednesday, July 19 to Friday, July 21, Times vary | Happy Does Bar (Gaslamp Quarter)
Whether you want to recharge like an Autobot (Transformers), become a Bikini Bottom local at the Krusty Krab (Spongebob Squarepants) or rebel with a cocktail during the prohibition era (1923), you can do it all at the Lodge (340 5th Ave., San Diego), which features 10 activations featuring some of Paramount+ most popular shows. Also coming to The Lodge are experiences featuring Good Burger, Yellowjackets, Special Ops: Lioness, Star Trek, Ink Master, Pet Sematary and CBS Sports. Reservations are recommended but a stand-by line will also be available.
For those who do have a Comic-Con badge, Paramount will be holding a scavenger hunt that comes with a prize for fans who visit each of the 8 Paramount activations both inside and outside the convention center. Visit Paramountpassport.com for more information.
Malibu Daydream Experience
🎫🎉 | Wednesday, July 19 to Friday, July 21, 12-7 p.m. | Parq Nightclub (Gaslamp)
Barbie has a lot going on this year but it isn't stopping her from inviting you into her life-sized dream home. This event, which is not affiliated with Mattel or "The Barbie Movie" but is perfectly themed to coincide with the movie's release, is for those 18 and up looking for some fun before the convention even kicks off. A $40 ticket will get you into this pink interactive event at 615 Broadway, San Diego, for one hour. The organizers boast photo-ops, meet-and-greets with the Barbie family, non-alcoholic beverages and more.
Paint and Sip
Thursday, July 20, 6 to 8:30 p.m. | The Monsaraz San Diego
Celebrate the host city of San Diego Comic-Con and your inner artist by painting the San Diego skyline with a $45 ticket. Monsaraz hotel (1451 Rosecrans St., San Diego) will offer a special all-day happy hour menu that day and parking will be validated for those who purchase food and drink.
Petco Park Interactive Zone
⭐ | Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23, Times vary | Lexus Premiere Lot
If you're looking to experience an overwhelming amount of Comic-Con in one space -- and mostly for free -- you don't want to miss the Interactive Zone. Several companies bring small pop-up experiences to what is usually the Lexus Premier Lot on 11th Avenue. It's also the spot to find some fabulous San Diego food trucks.
Here is just a sampling of what you'll find in the Interactive Zone:
- Hello Kitty Cafe Truck: Possibly the sweetest stop at the Interactive Zone is this Sanrio-themed food truck filled with a variety of desserts and cutesy collectibles available exclusively at the truck. Check out what you can find here.
Revenge of the Popcorn Fest
Thursday, July 20 at 8 p.m. | Tenth Avenue Arts Center
This one's for the movie buffs. Popcorn Reef and the Tenth Avenue Arts Center have teamed up to bring a double-feature event like never before. The first of two films will take you back to the 1970s to experience Impulse, a little-known thriller staring geek icon William Shatner. Next up is an animated epic called Fire and Ice from director Ralph Bakshi. Tickets cost $13 for one film or $20 for the full double-feature experience.
The Lanford Lunch Box
Thursday, July 20 and Friday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 6th Ave. and E Street (Gaslamp)
Dine like Roseanne at this pop-up experience just blocks from the San Diego Convention Center. Cozi TV is bringing the Lanford Lunch Box, the fictional diner from the tv series, to San Diego for two nights only. Guests may even get a glimpse of a re-enactment of a classic episode while they dine on their loose meat sandwiches.
San Diego Blood Bank Drive
➕ Wednesday, July 19 to Sunday, July 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (3 p.m. on Sunday) | Manchester Grand Hyatt
Give back for a cause and get some Comic-Con swag while you're at it. Donors to the San Diego Blood Bank's 47th Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive will get a limited-edition Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 t-shirt (while supplies last). Make an appointment here and head to the Coronado Ballroom of the Manchester Grand Hyatt (4th floor) to donate. You must be at least 17 years old and fit the eligibility requirements to donate.
SDCC Art Show
⭐🆓 | Thursday, July 20 through Sunday, July 23, Times vary | Manchester Grand Hyatt
You don't need a pass to the main event to see some incredible artwork that is at the center of comic fandom. Talented artists enter original drawings, paintings, sculptures and more into this annual show at the Manchester Grand Hotel. Books and comics nominated for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are also on display. The art hall is open on the lobby level from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
SDPL Trivia Night: Comic-Con Edition
🆓🍺 | Tuesday, July 18, 6 p.m. | Storyhouse Spirits
You call yourself a pop-culture fan but how much do you really know about comics, movies and more? Test your knowledge at this the San Diego Public Library's trivia night, which goes geeky this week in honor of SDCC.
Shop in the Gaslamp
Daily, Shop times vary | Gaslamp Quarter
While Comic-Con-goers spend hundreds on a ticket to shop for exclusive merchandise, comics and other collectibles inside the Convention Center, there is a world of geekdom shopping opportunities in the Gaslamp. Discover a new comic series at Now or Never Comics (F Street). Or, pick up an RPG at Bards & Cards Game Shop (Fifth Avenue); it's also a great spot to meet up with fellow gamers and try a new game. Shop pop-culture apparel at Bait or get some nostalgia and find some unique collectibles at Super7 (Eighth Avenue). And, you're bound to discover a pop-up shop or two as you walk through the Gaslamp.
Sketch Night
👪🆓 | Tuesday, July 18, 5 p.m. | Virtual
Gotta sketch 'em all, Pokémon! Kids 10-18 can learn to draw characters from the series-turned-movie from the comfort of home. Register by calling 619-541-5188 or emailing JuanCarlos.Robles@sdcounty.ca.gov by Friday, and your teen will get a free pizza as well! Be sure to include your name, age, phone number/email and what toppings you would like on your pizza.
Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe
🍴 Monday, July 19 to Aug. 20, times vary | 910 J St Space 2, San Diego
When you're moving at sonic speed, you're going to need fuel. A pop-up cafe is coming for San Diego Comic-Con to bring fans a taste of what it's like to dine in the SEGA world. Andy Nguyen of Secret Sauce Society curated a menu that includes Sonic's Classic Chili Dog, a fried chicken sandwich called Knuckles Sandwich the Flying Tox, a mango orange slushie drink and much more. Meals are packaged in special Sonic-themed branding and merch will also be available for purchase. Visit the cafe 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 13-18 and July 24 -Aug. 20; and 11 a.m. to midnight July 19-23.
Step Into Jurassic Park
🆓 Friday and Saturday, July 21 & 22, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Luce Cielo (Gaslamp)
Welcome, to Jurassic Park at San Diego Comic-Con. Universal and Amblin Entertainment are bringing dinosaurs to San Diego (It's like they've learned nothing) for two days only to celebrate the Steven Spielberg movie's 30th anniversary. Reservations for the event are filled but a standby line will be available.
Voodoo Ranger Pirate Ship
🆓🍺 Thursday, July 20 through Sunday, July 23, Times vary | San Diego Harbor
For some swashbuckling times, head to this pirate ship (really the historic San Salvador from the San Diego Maritime Museum), which will be docked behind the San Diego Convention Center throughout the Con. Aboard, get some cold grog from Voodoo Ranger. All beer sales will go to Lanfest, a group that builds healthy gaming communities, according to organizers. Your pirate dream can be reality from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
WNDR Museum Comic-Con Afterparty
🎉🍺 Thursday, July 20, 6 to 11 p.m. | WNDR Museum (Gaslamp)
If you can't get enough Con after the floor closes, head to the WNDR Museum (422 Market St.) for the after party. The interactive museum will take on a comic book spin in honor of SDCC, with DJ Chief Sweat spinning vinyl, a digital caricature artist, and other comic themed art experiences. There will also be trivia starting at 7 p.m. for those with a ticket, which cost $38 per person or $50 for a VIP experience. Adult beverages will be available for purchase.
This guide will be updated as Comic-Con approaches. If you have an event you'd like to be considered, please email Christina.Bravo@nbcuni.com.
