What to know
- San Diego Comic-Con 2022 runs from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23, with some events starting as early as Monday, July 18.
- 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 they can’t get in on the Comic Con fun. There is so much to do, see, taste and experience around San Diego.
- This year, take a walk through Jurassic Park, party with Barbie, or fiesta with Casa Mexico.
It’s that time of year, again, when Gaslamp Quarterbacks support their favorite movie and TV characters, cosplayers don their best anime looks, and superhero lovers don characters from the comic books.
That means San Diego Comic-Con is back in the Gaslamp Quarter for 2023.
Comic-Con is a beautiful event and increasingly difficult to attend. But for casual fans or even those who can’t score the badge they’ve been wanting to see what the hubbub is all about – there’s still plenty to experience outside the gates of the main event.
From freebies and giveaways to interactive experiences, photo ops and more, we’ve got a guide to the top Comic-Con attractions you can experience. outside The actual event. Here’s what’s in store this year:
👪 Family Friendly | 🆓 Free | ⭐ must be seen | 🎉 Nightlife | 🎫 Ticket Event | 🍴🍺 Food/drink
🆓 | Thursday July 20 to Saturday July 22, times vary 5th Street Landing
Call it the Coachella of the adult animation world. Behind the convention center, expect plenty of experiences in the adults-only festival grounds. Expect live music, comedy shows, games and more at this free event. All reservations are taken, but a waiting line for those 18 and older is available daily.
NBC 7’s Amber Frias shows a Mexican pop art exhibit that highlights Mexican culture organized by the consulate.
🆓🍴 | Thursday July 21st to Sunday July 23rd 11am to 1pm | Sea port village
Join the fiesta at Seaport Village where hosts Casa Mexico pull out all the stops with live music, delicious authentic food and an exhibit featuring Mexican comic artist Reyes.
👪🎫 | Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm Balboa Park
Pop-culture fans can get their fix almost 365 days a year, and at the Comic-Con Museum without the hefty price tag (2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego). During this year’s convention, the museum will introduce a new exhibit dedicated to comic book legend Stan Lee and the anime series “Cowboy Bebop.” Fans can enter the world of Pac-Man, Gumby and other pop culture icons and attend other events. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $12 for children and $18 for students, seniors and military members.
⭐🆓 | Thursday, July 20 at 6 p.m Manchester Grand Hyatt.
Actress and Universe founder Ashley Eckstein founded Universe to combine fandom and fashion. The Her Universe fashion show has become an annual tradition for both professional and amateur designers who dazzle on runways promoting their favorite movies, comic books and characters. This year, fashionistas will find their happy place to bring the best Disney spectacle. Two winners will be chosen to join Eckstein in creating a new collection for her line. Fans of fashion and pop culture line up for hours at the Grand Hyatt Harbor Ballroom in Manchester for this free fashion show, which might include a celebrity sighting or two. Seating is first come, first served.
Friday, July 21, 2-4 pm Comic-Con Museum
Be a hero and give back by volunteering your time with Feeding San Diego and Super Heroes. Donations can be dropped off at the Comic Con Museum (2131 Pan American Plaza) and volunteers are screening and sorting food to prepare packages for those in need.
🎫 | Thursday July 20 to Sunday July 23, times vary Cat cafe
Even the best superheroes need some downtime. Take a break from the cone frenzy at the Cat Cafe located at 302 Island Avenue, San Diego. Spaces are limited to 10 people per 50 minute session, so book your place here. Each $25 comes with coffee and unlimited kitty snuggles.
🎫🎉 | Wednesday, July 19 to Friday, July 21, 12-7pm | Park Nightclub (Gaslamp)
Barbie has a lot going on this year, but that doesn’t stop her from inviting you into her life-size dream home. This event is not related to Mattel or “The Barbie Movie” but is perfectly themed to coincide with the movie’s release, for those 18 and up who want some fun before the convent begins. A $40 ticket gets you into this pink interactive event at 615 Broadway, San Diego, for about an hour. Organizers will have photo-ops, boat rides, meet and greets with the Barbie family, non-alcoholic beverages and more.
Check out Barbie’s real-life dream house in Malibu for rent on Airbnb.
Petco Park Interactive Zone
⭐ | Thursday July 20 to Sunday July 23, times vary Lexus Premier Lot
If you’re looking for the ultimate Comic-Con experience in one place — and mostly for free — don’t miss the Interactive Zone. Many companies bring small pop-up experiences to the Lexus Premier Lot on 11th Ave. It’s also the place to find some of San Diego’s fantastic food trucks.
Here’s a sample of what you’ll find in the Interactive Zone:
- Hello Kitty Cafe TruckInteractive Zone’s sweetest stop is this Sanrio-themed food truck filled with a variety of delicious treats and cute collectibles only found at the truck. See what you can find here.
Thursday, July 20 and Friday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 6th Avenue and E Street (Gaslamp)
Eat like Roseanne at this pop-up experience, only from the San Diego Convention Center. Cozy TV is bringing Lanford’s Lunch Box, the fictional diner from the television series, to San Diego for two nights only. The classic scene where guests dine on loose meat sandwiches is sure to be reenacted.
⭐🆓 | From Thursday to Sunday, times vary Manchester Grand Hyatt.
You don’t need a pass to the main event to see some of the amazing artwork at the center of the funfair. Talented artists enter original paintings, drawings, sculptures and more in this annual exhibition at Manchester’s Grand Hotel. Books and comics nominated for Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are also on display. The Art Gallery 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.
🆓🍺 | Tuesday, July 18, 6 pm | The ghosts of the house of history
You call yourself a pop culture fan, but how much do you know about comics, movies, and more? Test your knowledge at this San Diego Public Library trivia night, this week in honor of SDCC.
Shop in the Gaslamp
Daily, store hours vary | Gaslamp quarter
While comic-con-goers spend hundreds on tickets to purchase exclusive merchandise, comics and other collectibles inside the convention center, there’s a world of geek shopping opportunities in the Gaslamp. Pick up an RPG at Bards & Cards Game Shop (Fifth Avenue) or discover a new comic series at Now or Never Comics (F Street). Shop pop-culture clothing at Bait or get a little nostalgic and find some exclusive collections at Super7 (Eighth Avenue). And, you’re bound to find a pop-up shop or two when you walk through the Gaslamp.
👪🆓 | Tuesday, July 18, 5 pm | Virtual
You have to draw them all, Pokemon! Kids ages 10-18 can learn to draw characters from the series-turned-movie from the comfort of home. Register by Friday by calling 619-541-5188 or email JuanCarlos.Robles@sdcounty.ca.gov and your child will get a free pizza too! Be sure to include your name, age, phone number/email, and what toppings you want on your pizza.
🆓 Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22 from 10 am to 8 pm | Luce Cielo (Gaslamp)
Welcome to Jurassic Park at San Diego Comic-Con. Universal and Amblin Entertainment are bringing dinosaurs to San Diego for two days to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s film (as if they haven’t learned anything). Reservations for the event are full, but there will be a waiting line.
This guide will be updated as Comic-Con approaches. If you have an event you would like considered, please email Christina.Bravo@nbcuni.com.
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