Even if you don't have a badge to Comic-Con this year, there are plenty of fun events and activities to participate in outside the San Diego Convention Center. See our list below of awesome 2025 Comic-Con activities where no badge is required. Fans in costume are always walking around downtown San Diego and are often happy to stop for a photo opp which makes fun, family memories!
Maybe/Maybe Not? We're on the fence about whether or not all of these events are family friendly, so we leave that to parental discretion. (We do our best to keep the list accurate, but sometimes events change without us knowing. Please understand if something listed is not 100 percent correct.)
Confirmed Activities for 2025
MTS Comic-Con Pop-Up Giveaways
Location: Various San Diego Transit Centers
Days & Hours: July 24–26, 8 am–10 am (or while supplies last)
Stop by select MTS stations for free Comic-Con giveaways, including custom SDCC-themed paper Trolley banks and limited-edition SDCC pins.
Schedule:
• Thursday, July 24 – 12th & Imperial Transit Center: Mario Kart World Trolley banks
• Friday, July 25 – Balboa Avenue Transit Center: Switch 2 Trolley banks
• Saturday, July 26 – Stadium Station: Donkey Kong Bananza Trolley banks
• Saturday, July 26 – Old Town Transit Center: Crunchyroll Gachiakuta Trolley banks
Interactive Zone at Petco Park
Location: Lexus Premier Lot across from Petco Park
Dates and Times: July 24,-26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 27, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Stop by Arc System Works to demo games: HUNTERxHUNTER, NENx IMPACT, Double Dragon Revive and Bubble Bobble: Sugar Dungeons. Fans of Guilty Gear -Strive: snap a photo with Sol Badguy’s bike, the FIRE-WHEEL MK-II. Find fun and freebies.
Magic: The Gathering x Avatar is hosting an immersive activation that includes a photo op with the iconic cabbage cart, a cosplayer, a special Katara promo card and an oversized giveaway bag with a recipe card from Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Official Baking Book.
San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Movie Night
Location: San Diego Air & Space Museum 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, 92101
Days & Hours: July 26, 2025, 6:30 pm
Watch The Minecraft Movie in a fun, family-friendly museum setting with snacks, crafts and creativity on full display. Registration: Admission to the museum is your ticket. Details at sandiegoairandspace.org
Treatz Truck – Marvel Studios Thunderbolts*
Location: on the Martin Luther King Promenade, near the Omni Hotel
Days & Hours: July 24-26, 10am-7pm, July 27, 10am-2pm
Delight in fun free soft serve themed ice cream flavors, swag and photo ops.
Chuck Jones Gallery – Comic-Con Artist Showcase
Location: Chuck Jones Gallery, Seaport Village
Days & Hours: July 25 – 26 (times vary)
Discover rare releases, original artwork and exclusive meet & greets with celebrated artists including Fabio Napoleoni, Ben Olson and Stephen Reis (The Simpsons, Futurama). Limited editions available only this weekend. First come, first collected. https://chuckjones.com/event/sdcc-2025-chuck-jones-gallery/
2025 Comic-Con Library Card Giveaway
Location: All branch library locations.
Days & Hours: San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd, San Diego, 92101,. July 24 – 26, 9:30 am–6:00 pm.
Stop by the Central Library to pick up a limited-edition 2025 Comic-Con Library Card, designed by surrealist artist Sarah Wilkinson. Free for new sign-ups or replacements during the month of July. Available while supplies last, first come, first served.
PAWmicon
Location: San Diego Air & Space Museum
Days & Hours: Tuesday, July 22 from 5pm-7pm.
Join the Helen Woodward Animal Center with the pet cosplay contest, vendors, and activities for both humans and pets alike. The event is free.
Paramount+ The Lodge
Location: 340 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Days & Hours: July 23–27, Wed: 6pm-10pm, Thurs. & Fri,: 9am-7pm, Sat & Sun: 9am-7pm.
Experience the excitement of Paramount’s activations at Comic-Con 2025. Take on Mission: Impossible–inspired challenges, explore Texas with Landman and the Patch Café, and enter the Star Trek holodeck. Relax at the CBS Sports UEFA Champions League bar or snap a photo at Pluto TV’s Summer of Cinema. Unravel clues in Dexter: Resurrection and revisit the connection between Tony and Ziva in NCIS. A standby line will be available onsite.
PAC-MAN Cafe
Location: 323 Seventh Ave
Days & Hours: now - Aug. 3, 11am-8pm.
This pop-up café celebrates 45 years of PAC-MAN™ with retro arcade games, themed bites and exclusive merch, all in a colorful, immersive space that brings PAC-MAN’s world to life.
Marvel Photo Op – Savage Lands
Location: Marriott Marquis & Marina, 333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA, 92101
Days & Hours: July 23, Wed: 7:30pm
Suit up and join Wolverine and fellow Marvel heroes for an epic group shoot set in the prehistoric Savage Lands—yes, dinosaurs included. All Marvel cosplayers are welcome. Meet at the Marriott Marquis and Marina Garden.
Lilo & Stitch Shaved Ice Truck
Location: Next to the Omni Hotel 675 L St, San Diego, CA 92101
Days & Hours: July 24 – 26, 10 am–7 pm; July 27, 10 am–2 pm
Lilo & Stitch Activation: A Taste of Paradise in San Diego! will have free Shave Ice and photo ops.
FREE, printable Comic-Con Bingo Card
Keep track of your Comic-Con adventures with San Diego Family's FREE, printable Comic-Con Bingo Card!
Print it out and mark off 5 activities in a row or go for "Blackout Bingo" by marking off every square.
Comic-Con Bingo Card designed and created by Adrienne Sigeti exclusively for San Diego Family Magazine. For personal use only. All rights reserved.
Westgate’s Superhero Tea.
Location: Westgate Hotel – 1055 Second Avenue, Grand Lobby, San Diego, CA, 92101
Days & Hours: July 23–27, 1–5 pm.
Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy themed photo ops, live harp music, and an upscale menu worthy of any caped crusader. Flash your Comic-Con badge to your server if you have one to receive 10% off your tea experience. Reservations: https://www.westgatehotel.com/event/superhero-tea/2025-07-23/
Kaiju Experience at Godzilla Station
Location: Super7 Store – 701 Eighth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
Days & Hours: July 23–27, noon to 8 p.m.
Step into the chaos at Super7’s Godzilla Station, featuring movie props, cosplayers, exclusive merch, and a full “train biter” scene recreated from the movie.
https://super7.com/pages/godzillastation
Hello Kitty Café Truck
Location: Interactive Zone at Petco Park
Days & Hours: July 24– 26, 10 am–5 pm; & July 27 from 10 am–4 pm
Check out the adorbs Hello Kitty Café Truck with treats and collectibles! The truck is celebrating it's 10 anniversary. Find merch, photo ops, and themed treats such as macrons and madeleines.
Starr Park – Brawl Stars Amusement Park
Location: 5th Avenue Landing (San Diego Bay)
Days & Hours: July 24–26, 11 am–7 pm; July 27, 11 am–4 pm
Enjoy themed games, immersive photo ops and family-friendly fun inspired by the hit mobile game Brawl Stars.
Twisted Metal Bumper Battle from Peacock
Location: 450 2nd Ave
Days & Hours: July 24, 12 pm–4 pm; July 25–26, 12 pm–6 pm
Choose your battle car and jump into the action at this demolition derby-style experience inspired by Twisted Metal. Explore tournament vehicles up close and capture fun moments at themed photo ops.
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Activation
Location: Fifth Avenue & L Street
Days & Hours: July 24 - 27 (exact hours TBA)
Step into the world of Percy Jackson & The Olympians and experience a mythological adventure. Explore the mists, experience the magic, find your ancestors, and exchange drachma for themed merch.
A Very Abbott Block Party
Location: Waterfront (exact location and time TBA)
Days & Hours: TBA
Celebrate the hit series Abbott Elementary with a lively block party featuring a Ferris wheel, Philly Water Ice, themed caricatures, and collectible character pins.
South Park Experience
Location: Quartyard, 1301 Market St
Days & Hours: July 25 - 26, 11 am–11:30 pm
Photo ops, cosplay, trivia, karaoke, exclusive merch and giveaways.
Batman (1989) Movie in Concert
Location: Gallagher Square
Date: July 26, Doors open at 7pm.
Watch Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) under the stars at Gallagher Square as a live 50-piece orchestra brings Danny Elfman’s iconic score to life. Purchase tickets: www.padres.com/concerts
Lumpia Comic-Con Headquarters
Location: 423 F Street, Gaslamp Quarter
Days & Hours: July 24 – 26, 12 pm–6 pm
Exclusive pop-ups, artist events, community mixers and delicious bites in a cultural celebration.
Malibu Barbie Cafe
Location: 2137 Pacific Highway
Days & Hours: Open daily through October 12; 90-minute timed reservations
Enter a colorful Barbie-themed space filled with bright décor, fun photo spots and a menu inspired by Barbie herself. Every reservation includes a sit-down meal and entry to the Barbie x Impala Skate Rink, where skating is just $1. Proceeds support Girls Inc. Socks are required to skate.
Catch Outdoor Movies with a View - Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero
Location: 1 Market Place, San Diego, 92101
Days & Hours: See below
Head to Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero at the Manchester Grand Hyatt (1 Market Place, San Diego, 92101) for four days of movie fun under the stars, July 24–27. Enjoy a mix of family favorites, date-night classics and a special Girl’s Night Out screening—all with stunning rooftop views of the bay.
Thursday, July 24
The Princess Bride – 7 p.m.
50 First Dates – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 26
The Sandlot – 1 p.m.
Mamma Mia! – 3:30 p.m.
Crazy, Stupid, Love – 6:45 p.m.
Pulp Fiction – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 27
It Takes Two – 1 p.m.
Pride & Prejudice – 3:30 p.m.
Practical Magic – Girl’s Night Out Special Event – 7 p.m.
Inception – 9:30 p.m.
Maryjane’s Movie at the Hard Rock Hotel
Location: 207 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA
Days & Hours: July 24 – 27, 7 am–3 pm daily
Guests can enjoy a Comic-Con-themed experience at Maryjane’s, featuring an all-day menu with pancakes, açaí bowls, burgers and more, alongside signature cocktails such as Jack and the Giant Peach and 10 Things I Love About Blue. The experience is complete with concession-style service, themed décor and photo opportunities. Limited-edition merchandise including t-shirts, tote bags, and pins will be available for purchase at the Rock Shop, while supplies last.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds x K1 Karting Experience
Location: K1 Speed San Diego, 1709 Main St, San Diego, CA 92113
Days & Hours: July 24 - 27, 11am-10pm
Race like Sonic on an immersive indoor track, play SEGA arcade games, shop exclusive merch, and snap fun Sonic Racing: CrossWorldsphoto ops.
Registration & details: www.k1speed.com/san-diego-location.html
Find tips for attending Comic-Con with kids here: https://www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/seasonal-happenings/how-to-attend-comic-con-kids.
Created by Marketing Director Michele Hancock, a lifelong fan of San Diego Comic-Con.
You never know who (or what) you'll run into during Comic-Con week!
