Some of the biggest draws to San Diego Comic-Con happen OUTSIDE the convention center…. We’re talking about the PARTIES and OFF-SITE activations that happen all across the Gaslamp Quarter, and this year they’re better than ever. Paramount+ Lodge. The Fandom Party. Adult Swim. Star Trek. Hulu. Marvel. Percy Jackson. Super Troopers. And so much more! We give a rundown of the best parties and off-sites to check out. Some are easier than others to get into…. But there’s definitely something for everyone.
ALL DAYS
Clash of Clans has an extended offsite (running from July-September). Participants join forces with the Archer Queen for a 10-minute experience and tackle physical puzzle challenges and interactive games inspired by Clash of Clans WHERE: Seaport Village
The Cat Café. Wednesday, July 22 – Monday, July 27, for $29.68. Book an hour-long time slot for cats, food, drinks. Book at https://www.catcafesd.com/events.
Superhero Tea. The Westgate Hotel is hosting Superhero Tea from Wednesday, July 22 – Sunday, July 26, between 1pm-3pm daily, in the Grand Lobby, with themed photo ops, live harp music, gourmet tea sandwiches, house-made pastries, signature desserts, premium teas, and a glass of champagne (for 21+). $95 adults and $65 for children. Reserve your spot.
Ignition Press is hositng its first-ever exhibit hall booth (#5531) alongside a brand-new offsite destination, the Ignition Pavilion, located at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center (200 Harbor Drive, #120, San Diego). It will be remade into the Ignition Pavilion, a gathering place for fans, creators, and press. Visitors can shop exclusive covers and meet creators
Paramount+ The Lodge. Happy Does Bar, exclusive swag, photo opportunities from Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, South Park, UFC, and more. Currently sold out, but check back.
Adult Swim on the Green outside the San Diego Convention Center (5th Avenue Landing and Convention Way). Open Thursday through Saturday, 1pm–10pm and Sunday 11am-4pm. The RAMbler is a one-of-a-kind Rick and Morty-themed twist on the classic Scrambler ride. Adult Swim on the Green will also host a series of free nighttime events, all beginning at 7:15pm.
- Thursday (7/23): Night of New: Exclusive Content Screening – Outdoor screening event with never-before-seen content, including surprise previews.
- Friday (7/24): Live Table Reads – Cast of Rick and Morty live table read.
- Saturday (7/25): Adult Swim Through the Years – Celebration of 25 years, featuring a live animated visual set from Afuchs Twin.
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Bandai Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 Road Trip Tour. San Diego Wine & Culinary Center (200 W Harbor Dr). Play a demo of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, the upcoming game slated for release in 2027.
Nickelodeon. “Fun Flows Here” at The New Children’s Museum park. Includes a “Kids Imagine Nation” stage with live performances, games, and entertainment inspired by PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Thundermans, and Star Trek: Scouts. Visitors can get slimed, photos with SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the Kids’ Choice Awards. Friday, July 24 outdoor screening of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants at 7pm.
Star Trek Photo Op: A photo op featuring the LEGO Group and Magic: The Gathering, with a Star Trek theme. Located in the Marriott Marquis,
Lanterns Training Headquarters, At 808 J St., recruits will be put through a series of interactive challenges designed to determine whether they have what it takes to join the Green Lantern Corps. Receive a custom Green Lantern ring, shop exclusive Lanterns merchandise from WB. Reservations at hbomax.com/lanternstraininghq and are required. (not open Sunday)
Nintendo Switch Sports. At the Hilton San Diego Bayfront’s “The Pointe,” play Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. Outside on the Promenade at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront, watch live Nintendo Switch Sports Resort gameplay broadcast on screens. Thursday, July 23 from 1:30pm-3:30pm, compete against social media creator The Rizzler.
MARVEL offsite stuff:
- Magic: The Gathering | Marvel Super Heroes Fan Experience in Petco Park. Open to all (no badge required).
- Madripoor Sunrise Slushie inspired by Marvel’s Wolverine on the Omni Hotel Lawn with photos by a Proto-Sentinel Head.
- Marvel Rivals, MARVEL Future Fight, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and Marvel Contest of Champions at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina in the San Diego Ballroom.
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Percy Jackson and the Olympians activation ties into the upcoming third season, based on Rick Riordan’s The Titan’s Curse. It will be in the Gaslamp Triangle, near Baja Rick’s.
Alienware. Second floor of the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. Test-drive the newest Alienware desktops, laptops, monitors, and peripherals, including an exclusive first look at the world’s first 39″ 5K OLED ultrawide gaming monitor with RGB Stripe technology. Jack “CouRage” Dunlop will stream live from the Alienware event on Saturday, July 25. Secret experience on Friday and Saturday.
The Chuck Jones Gallery in Seaport Village (809 W Harbor Dr E4-B, Lighthouse District). Original animation art, new releases, and special presentations. Several artists appearing throughout the weekend.
PETCO Park Interactive Zone.
- The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck.
- Labu’Tique Shop. Shop for Labubus, Squishy Toys, Jelly Cats, Needohs, and more.
- “MaruMart: Demon Slayer Konbini” Japanese convenience store inspired by the world of Demon Slayer. Character displays featuring Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and all nine Hashira, limited edition Maruchan x Demon Slayer merchandise.
- The KAYOU Walls of Fandom at the Interactive Zone at Petco Park, a walkthrough with larger-than-life displays inspired by KAYOU’s trading card lines.
- Marvel Super Heroes Fan Experience at Petco Interactive Zone.
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Stern Pinball Pop-Up Arcade at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina (333 W Harbor Dr). Features Stern’s two newest releases, Pokémon and Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye.
Disney Lorcana. Disney Lorcana play space at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.
Hulu Animayhem. MLK Promenade. Futurama and King of the Hill, including Fry’s “100 Days of Cold Brew” and Bobby Hill’s Robata Chane yakitori.
Demon Hunters car. Life-size version of the Hot Wheels Porsche 911 GT3 R from KPop Demon Hunters at the corner of First Avenue and E Harbor Drive from 10:30am–7pm daily Thursday – Saturday, and 11am-4pm on Sunday.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. HBO Max is bringing The Comic Center of Pasadena to life with an immersive experience inspired by Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the upcoming Max Original spinoff of The Big Bang Theory. Sparks Gallery, 530 Sixth Avenue, San Diego.
Mission Control: STEAM Activity Room 11am-5pm daily in the Del Mar Room, located near the Marina Ballroom on Level 3 of the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina’s South Tower.
Peanuts and Super7 adopt-a-puppy pop-up… Not real dogs, but dogs from Snoopy’s family. Wine & Culinary Center (200 W Harbor Drive). The pop-up will feature an “Adopt-a-Puppy” experience centered around Snoopy and his siblings, with exclusive 8-inch Super Duper Plush figures packaged in pet-carrier-style boxes with adoption certificates and bandanas created in partnership with Best Friends Animal Society.
The Alliance Authentic Pop-Up at the Hard Rock Hotel (207 Fifth Ave), across from the Convention Center. Certified Uncirculated vinyl records and collectible figures from Funko and Handmade by Robots. Comic-Con badge holders can claim a free Handmade by Robots figure.
Lumpia Con. 423 F Street in the Gaslamp. 3 nights of exclusive pop-ups, artist events, and community mixers . All events are free to attend.
- Thursday, July 23 from 7pm-12am “Sketch & Scratch”, an evening of live sketching and music.
- Friday, July 24 FREE meet and greet with Bobby Rubio (Neighborhood Legend, Float) from 7pm – 9pm and then from 9:30pm – 11:30pm with Doug Marcaida (Lineage, Forged in Fire) and AJ Rafael (Red Roses High).
- Saturday, July 25, 4pm-6pm mixer with special guests, including Sun Chaser co-creator Bernard Badion and comedian JR de Guzman
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BAR CRAWL. The Levinson Group is hosting its annual Comic-Con Bar Crawl on:
- Thursday, July 23 at 8pm
- Friday, July 24 at 8pm
- Saturday, July 25 at 8pm
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Tickets range from $12.51 for early bird to $28.52 for a 3-day pass. The cost pays cover charge to all venues. Info here on Eventbrite.
Star Trek Archives Experience. Star Trek Fleet Command, the mobile game from Scopely, has an immersive experience, featuring official archive pieces, a Holodeck VR experience, themed photo moments, exclusive swag, interactive claw machines with Star Trek prizes, and a souvenir photo station. Friday evening will feature a special invite-only event for the Star Trek Fleet Command community. Located at The Sinclair at 643 G St, the experience will be open from Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26.
Super Troopers 3 is taking over Hasta Mañana Cantina (310 Fifth Avenue) in the Gaslamp Quarter with complimentary pancakes served with Crown Maple syrup each morning, putts on the Bogey Bros putting green, and an up-close look at a decked-out Apocalypse Hellfire 6×6 truck inspired by Super Troopers 3.
The Silo Experience, a free multi-sensory activation running transporting guests into the underground world of the series. Friday – Sunday at The Lot @ 1st & J, from 11am – 7pm.
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TUESDAY
Patrick Ballesteros Art Pop-Up at Mnemonic Coffee: July 21, 2026 at Mnemonic Coffee. 330PM-630PM.
Join Yesterdays on Tuesday, July 21 from 7pm-10pm PT at Stone Brewing in downtown San Diego, right next to the Santa Fe Train Station (1202 Kettner Blvd #101, San Diego, CA 92101). The event is open to the public, free. Live DJ and tacos. Yesterdays’ SDCC exclusives.
ENHYPEN, K-pop’s fband, at Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley on Tuesday, July 21 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster starting at just $54.90.
Shredding the Multiverse celebrates the music behind several hit television series, featuring Emmy award-winning Mick Giacchino (The Penguin, Muppet Mayhem, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) and acclaimed composing duo Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg (Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Cobra Kai) and an all-star ensemble of Southern California studio musicians. Gates open at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, July 21 in La Jolla, CA. For additional information, parking, visit the event page.
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WEDNESDAY
Meet Godzilla on Wednesday, July 22, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the GameStop located in the Mission Valley Mall (1640 Camino Del Rio N, Ste 311, San Diego, CA). First-to-market collectibles, including the Glow-in-the-Dark Burning Godzilla figure, as well as the new Godziburst and Godzilla Scramble toy lines.
Metal Ninja Studios Preview Night Creator Lunch Event from 12pm -2pm at Smokin J’s BBQ at 751 4th Avenue in San Diego for self-publishers, industry insiders and fans.
The FilAm Creator Con will be hosting a two day pop-up Mini-Con featuring Filipino American creators. Taking place at Pizza Kaiju, 1985 National Avenue, Suite 115 in San Diego, the event will run from 4pm until 10pm on Wednesday, July 22 and Thursday, July 23 and is free to attend. The FilAm CreatorCon’s missions is to spotlight Filipino American pop culture in comic books, literature, film-making, and all creative art forms.
Ready Party One on Wednesday, July 22 from 8pm-1:30am. THE premiere San Diego Comic Con after party, as seen in Rolling Stone “25 Best Things We Saw at Comic Con,” Vice, E! News, SyFy Wire, etc…Inspired by the golden age of gaming, iconic versus fighters, and the pulse-pounding anticipation surrounding the next era of cinematic martial arts mayhem, this party is your chance to step into the ultimate player-select screen. Tickets at SDCCParty.com.
Mega64 Presents: Gamer Warz (Filmmaker Intro + Q&A) Showtimes: Wednesday, July 22, 2026: 9:00 PM. Ticket Prices: $21 Regular. Synopsis: The epic saga of so-bad-it’s-amazing cinema, created by the legendary comedy group Mega64. Gamer Wars is a concept that started as satire and evolved into one of the most enduring pieces of video game philosophical debate film ever committed to memory card. https://digitalgym.org/movies/gamer-wars/
THURSDAY
The FilAm Creator Con will be hosting a two day pop-up Mini-Con featuring Filipino American creators at Pizza Kaiju, 1985 National Avenue, Suite 115. 4pm – 10pm on Wednesday, July 22 and Thursday, July 23 and is free to attend. The FilAm CreatorCon’s missions is to spotlight Filipino American pop culture in comic books, literature, film-making, and all creative art forms.
Party Plus Ultra Thursday July 23. Power up your fandom and go beyond at Party Plus Ultra, XLE’s anime-themed party at Parq Nightclub. Tickets at SDCCParty.com.
BAR CON. Writer, colorist and creator David Baron (Batman: Off World, Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum) is on hand for free signatures, sketches (bring your own paper!). The Field Irish Pub (544 5th Ave, San Diego) on Thursday, July 23 from 12pm-1pm. You can find more information on Facebook.
See You at San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con. Thursday, July 23 from 2pm-3pm at Bards & Cards in the Gaslamp, a conversation with some of the originators of the con. Organized by Mathew Klickstein, whose book See You at San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con has stories from the creators and artists who built the convention from the ground up, including Roger Freedman (1970’s committee member), Wendy All (1970’s committee member), Scott Smith (Director of Electronic Publicity), Clayton Moore (1970’s committee member), Gus Krueger (son of co-founder Ken Krueger), Barry Short (1980’s Program Director), and Dave Clark (co-originator).
FALSE IDOL. Geeki Tiki’s on either Thursday, July 23 or Friday, July 24 for their annual False Idol event. Tickets are $100 (plus taxes & fees) and include two drinks that double as raffle tickets, plus a swag bag worth over $100. SOLD OUT. But maybe go see if anyone doesn’t show up.
Presented by Hell Destroyer Comics & More Great Art in partnership with Collector’s Summit, this one-night event takes place from 6pm-10pm at 100 E Harbor Drive (Harbor Club). Complimentary food and drinks, signings with artists like Dave Dorman, Jim Mahfood, Sozomaika, Suspiria Vilchez, Katya, Stuart Sayger, Felix Leon, and special guest Dan Quintana. The first 80 attendees receive a gift bag featuring a signed Dan Quintana print, a commemorative drinking glass, and other surprises.
Tickets are available now on Eventbrite for $100.
HER Fashion Show. Hosted by actress and Her Universe founder, Star Wars: The Clone Wars actress Ashley Eckstein. For the first time, every design in the competition will draw exclusively from DC characters.
Mighty Jaxx. 7pm-9pm, the collectible toy company will host the Mighty Mic Drop Party at Gingers in the Gaslamp District (600 Fifth Ave.) Karaoke battles, games and activities, cocktails, and light bites, along with an exclusive goodie bag with an exclusive SDCC t-shirt, a skate deck, and more. Tickets on their ticketing site, for $125 each.
FANDOM PARTY. Good luck getting in–it’s definitely one of the most sough-after invites on the list. Hard Rock Hotel’s FLOAT from 7pm-11pm. Presented by Xbox’s Halo: Campaign Evolved, a performance by The Coverups, the cover band fronted by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong.
THE GUILD. Kickerstarter backers of The Guild Reunion Movie are invited to the Horton Grand Hotel, 311 Island Avenue, San Diego, from 7pm -10pm to meet The Guild star Felicia Day. First 500 will also receive a collectible ticket.
The Transformers: House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave, San Diego, for The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Celebration of Life Concert, featuring the music of the 1986 animated film, from the Knights of Unicron, with a special appearance by Stan Bush, the voice behind “The Touch.” Tickets are available now starting at $53.50 for general admission, or $105 for VIP.
Join Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at the Westgate Hotel Terrace (1055 Second Avenure, San Diego) from 8pm unitl midnight. Mad Cave Studios & Ignition Press, the Marquee Sponsors, in addition to Gold Sponsor GlobalComix and Silver Sponsors Kickstarter & CGC will be providing gift bags for the first 100 attendees through the door. Entry is free for current members of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Tickets for non-members are $44.52 with fees.
Giant-Size Productions, The Uncanny Experience and Long Beach Comic-Con invite you to their annual Geek Out Party at the Coin-Op Gaslamp (789 6th Avenue, San Diego). Starts at 8:30pm.
FRIDAY
Pan’s Labyrinth Celebration. Celebrating the 20th anniversary and upcoming 3D and HDR re-release of the Academy Award winning film, Pan’s Labyrinth, at Parq Nightclub on Friday, July 24 starting at 7pm.
“Strange & Supernatural Soiree”. On Friday, July 24 from 6pm-9pm, The Gaslamp Museum will host a “Strange & Supernatural Soiree,” at the Davis Horton-House with tales of hauntings, tarot card readings, ghost hunting, courtyard movies, cocktails and a bar, photo-ops, crafts, and more. Tickets atre $30 now with early bird pricing online, and available now.
ENHYPEN’s “DARK MOON” completely sold out.
IGN @ SDCC Party. Hard Rock Hotel. This is another tough one to crack. Registration is strictly limited to direct invitees of IGN. Uninvited registrations will be cancelled and voided.
WASTELAND PUB CRAWL. All Wastelanders are invited to join in on the annual San Diego Comic-Con Pub Crawl.
Thrilljoy SDCC Block Party: Rock the Block. InterContinental San Diego from 6pm-11pm. Tickets $165 each, and attendees will be treated to two drink tickets, food, one exclusive Block Party PIX! Pack with event-only exclusives, and access to games, giveaways, and more. Info and tickets here.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is taking over Good Night John Boy (401 G Street) in the Gaslamp from 7pm-11pm for the official Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence after party. The franchise first got its start in San Diego back in 1978. Cast and crew will meet guests, “killer” cosplay, exclusive giveaways, DJs, and dancing. Themed cocktails and food for purchase. Tickets available now for $12.51.
“Corpse Tour.” 7:30pm-10pm, James Tynion IV, Michael Walsh, Tyler Boss, and Christian Ward will be at the Now or Never downtown comic shop, located less than a mile from the San Diego Convention Center. Signing-only tickets are $5, and begin at 9pm after the Q&A wraps up and also include up to three signed items. SOLD OUT, but if you have any questions related to this event, please contact zach@nowornevercomics.com, or call the shop directly at 619-892-7310. Maybe you can still get tickets.
Comic-Con Yacht After-Party. The annual event on the Chere Amie is back with cocktails, music, and great views. This event will be held on Saturday, July 25 from 10pm – 12:30am and tickets are currently available on Eventbrite for $59.99. Keep in mind this is a 21+ event and no Comic-Con badge is needed.
