Whether you didn’t score a badge this year or you only picked up a single day pass, there are plenty of things to do around town during San Diego Comic-Con that don’t require a badge! Here are our top five favorite options for things to do outside the Convention Center. (Pro-tip: choose one or two things per day and arrive early — the lines can get long for the freebies! People are generally friendly though so you’ll make some friends while you wait!)
Hulu Goes Big With Percy Jackson Experience
Season Three of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is making a big splash at San Diego Comic-Con with an activation right across the street from the main convention center. Enter a giant trident and choose one of three paths: Percy (Walker Schobell), Annabeth (Leah Sava-Jeffries) or Thalia (Tamara Smart). The experience from there depends on your choice!
The Interactive Zone at Petco Park
This interactive fan area is located just outside of Petco Park and features a variety of fun experiences. This year you can check out Labu’Tique Shop (with a Famer’s Market theme this year), the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck with treats and collectibles, KAYOU Walls of Fandom with a walkthrough of displays featuring their popular card games, and “MaruMart” hosted by Maruchan, the instant ramen brand. This area is always a good time and includes a lot of things with only one line-wait needed.
Comic-Con® Conference for Educators and Librarians
Did you know the San Diego Library hosts an annual conference at the same time as Comic-Con? Plus it’s free and open to the public! Focused on the impact of comics on literacy and education, this one might be pretty niche, but if you’re looking for a fun way to get connected to fellow education (or literacy nerds!), it is a great place to be! Plus the library is air conditioned, which is always good in late July.
Bonus? The library also hosts a cosplay repair station!
Her Universe Fashion Show
Did you know the Her Universe Fashion Show is open to the public, no badge required? That’s right! Check out their social media before the event to find out when they are distributing wrist bands (which are always first come, first serve), then come back to experience a night celebrating geek couture! This year’s show is celebrating all things DC so we’re excited to see some fantastic comic fashion!
So. Much Cosplay.
Honestly, San Diego Comic-Con is one of the best places to check out the cosplay. While a lot of folks hang out around the Convention Center, many will come and wander down Fifth Avenue, posing for photos or even participating in giveaways. And that’s something else we should mention — if you’re downtown, there’s a likely chance you’ll run into something happening that’s free and fun just by being there. So go take it in, enjoy the spectacle, and grab a snack from a local restaurant (most of them get into the spirit, too).
