More than 130,000 People Expected to Attend Comic-Con 2025

The 2025 edition of Comic-Con is expected to draw at least 130,000 people to the San Diego Convention Center during the four-day event starting Thursday morning.

Wednesday's preview night is the unofficial start of Comic-Con but the doors officially open Thursday morning.

Officially known as Comic-Con International 2025, it s considered the largest pop culture convention in the world.

This year's Comic-Con could turn out to be the biggest and best because it features Star Wars creator George Lucas who will be making his first ever-appearance at the iconic event.

There will be A-list celebrities, a global press corps providing round-the-clock coverage and fans willing to wait hours in long lines just to experience the latest movie, show or interesting piece of pop culture.

All the coveted badges for the event at the San Diego Convention Center were sold out long ago. But those without a badge to get inside the Convention Center can still take part in activities throughout the downtown area including the Gaslamp Quarter.

There are dozens of free and paid events that people can participate in without a Comic-Con badge, including exhibits, concerts, parties, cosplay meet-ups, panels, viewings, podcasts, comedy shows and more.

(Photo Getty Images)

Highlights: The Gaslamp Quarter transforms into a vibrant hub of excitement, teeming with activations and events that will captivate everyone. In this ultimate guide, we’ll reveal hidden gems, spotlight the best spots, and equip you with everything you need to make the most of your Comic-Con experience. Get ready to dive into the magic!

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:

Pendry San Diego: Donut Bar Pop-Up

·    Dates: Thursday, July 24th – Sunday, July 27th

·    Hours: Daily at 7:00am

·    Location: 550 J Street

·    Details: Satisfy your sweet tooth with exclusive Comic-Con donuts and treats at this pop-up.

barleymash: Gaslamp Comic-Con Barley’s Blockbuster

·    Dates: Thursday, July 24th – Sunday, July 27th

·    Location: 600 Fifth Avenue

·    Details: Enjoy over-the-top food and drink specials inspired by iconic films like Matilda, Practical Magic, The Big Lebowski, and more. Plus, score exclusive giveaways including Blockbuster totes, custom popcorn buckets, and retro membership cards.

Werewolf American Pub: Celebrates Comic-Con 2025

·    Dates: Thursday, July 24th – Sunday, July 27th

·    Location: 627 Fourth Avenue

·    Details: Werewolf is going all-in for Comic-Con weekend with four full days of themed drinks, DJ sets, cosplay, karaoke, and crowd-favorite pancakes.

Hasta Mañana: Gasmlamp Comic-Con Luncha Libre Land

·    Dates: Thursday, July 24th – Sunday, July 27th

·    Location: 310 Fifth Avenue

·    Details: Enjoy Lucha Libre-themed food, signature drinks, exclusive giveaways, and Instagram-worthy photo ops all weekend long.

Retro Rewind: Napoleon Dynamite Live!

·    Date: Friday, July 25that 7:00pm

·    Location: Balboa Theatre – 868 Fourth Ave

·    Details: This special Retro Rewind event features a full screening of the cult classic followed by a live, interactive Q&A with cast members Jon Heder (Napoleon) and Efren Ramirez (Pedro).

 

Super Fat Tuesday Comic-Con Takeover

·    Available:  Thursday, July 24th – Sunday, July 27th

·    Location: 618 Fifth Ave

·    Details: Attendees can enjoy limited-time specialty daiquiris, over-the-top combo deals, and a costume contest with prizes. 

 

El Chingon Revels with the Joker

·    Available:  Thursday, July 24th – Sunday, July 27th

·    Location: 560 Fifth Ave

·    Details: El Chingon is the Gaslamp’s wild child: loud, bold, and always “Bad Ass.” This Comic-Con, it channels the chaos of the Joker with flavor-packed cocktails that are as twisted as they are fun.

 

Prohibition 1920 Comic-Con Specials

·    Available:  Thursday, July 24th – Sunday, July 27th

·    Location: 548 Fifth Ave

·    Details: Hidden behind a law office facade, this underground speakeasy is the perfect hideout for Comic-Con’s most stylish rogues. With 1920s ambiance and live music, Prohibition is where mystery meets mixology.

 

Havana 1920 Escapes to Gotham

·    Available:  Thursday, July 24th – Sunday, July 27th

·    Location: 548 Fifth Ave

·    Details: Step into a vintage Havana hideaway layered with dark charm and rhythmic beats. This intimate spot delivers villain-inspired cocktails that seduce and surprise — perfect for a night of Comic-Con mischief.

 

Mezé Greek Fusion Heroes Refuel

·    Available:  Thursday, July 24th – Sunday, July 27th

·    Location: 345 Sixth Ave

·    Details: A bold blend of Mediterranean flavor and Comic-Con flair, Mezé is serving up a full spread of heroic cocktails and villain-worthy bites.

FREE ACTIVITIES YOU CAN ENJOY WITHOUT A BADGE:

 

Hulu: King of the Hill’s Backyard BBQ

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th from 11:30am – 7:00pm | July 25th-26th from 9:30am – 7:00pm daily | July 27th from 9:30am – 5:00pm 

·Location: Bayfront Parking Lot (Fifth Ave Landing – Lot A1), 600 Convention Way

·Details: Step into Arlen, Texas—right in the heart of San Diego. Hulu brings King of the Hill to life with a full-scale backyard cookout activation outside the Convention Center. Explore iconic locations from the show, snack on BBQ bites, and take part in immersive experiences inspired by one of the longest-running animated series on TV.

 Disney’s Lilo & Stitch: A Taste of Paradise

·    Dates & Hours: July 25th-26th from 10:00am – 7:00pm daily | July 27th from 10:00am – 2:00pm

·     Location: Gaslamp Diagonal, Sixth Ave & L Street

·    Details: Escape the Comic-Con chaos and step into a little slice of paradise with Disney’s Lilo & Stitch: A Taste of Paradise. Located just outside the Omni Hotel, this tropical-themed experience brings the heart and humor of Lilo & Stitch to life with island vibes, interactive fun, and icy treats.

 Paramount+ Presents: The Lodge – Immersive Fan Experience

·    Dates & Hours: July 23rd from 6:00pm – 10:00pm | July 24th-27th from 9:00am – 7:00pm daily

·    Location: Happy Does Bar, 340 Fifth Ave

·    Details: Spanning five days, this immersive fan takeover features multiple franchises, themed experiences, giveaways, and interactive sets—all under one roof.

FX Presents: “Alien: Earth” – The Wreckage Experience

·    Dates: July 24th – July 27th

·    Location: 1 Park Blvd

·    Details: This summer, FX transforms the Hilton Bayfront Lawn into “The Wreckage,” an immersive, two-part fan experience inspired by the wreck of the USCSS Maginot—complete with interactive missions, mysterious alien specimens, and chilling surprises.

Coca-Cola x Star Wars: Holocreator Experience

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th – 26th from 10:30am – 7:00pm daily | July 27th 11:00am – 4:00pm

·    Location: 1 Park Blvd

·    Details: Step into a galaxy far, far away with HOLOCREATOR, an immersive Star Wars augmented reality experience presented by Coca-Cola and Fandom. 

 

Brawl Stars: Starr Park Immersive Experience

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th – 26th from 11:0oam – 7:00pm daily | July 27th from 11:00am – 4:00pm

·    Location: 5th Ave Landing, 600 Convention Way

·    Details: Step onto the Starr Rail, an amusement monorail gone rogue, then dive into Brawl Stars’ signature blend of madness with interactive carnival-style games, meet-and-greets, and in-game prize giveaways.

Peacock’s Twisted Metal: Bumper Battle Experience

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th from 12:00pm – 4:00pm | July 25th from 12:00pm – 6:00pm | July 26th from 12:00pm – 6:00pm

·    Location: The Lot @ 1st & J, 450 2nd Ave

·    Details: Inspired by the post-apocalyptic action-comedy’s upcoming second season, this chaos-fueled experience puts fans behind the wheel of reimagined bumper cars modeled after the show’s most iconic vehicles.

 

Adult Swim: Pirate Purrty on the Green

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th – 26th from 1:00pm – 7:00pm daily

·    Location: 5th Ave Landing & Convention Way

·    Details: Adult Swim claws its way back into San Diego Comic-Con with Pirate Purrrty on the Green—a hilariously unhinged outdoor activation that fuses pirate antics with feline chaos. 

 

HBO Max: Peacefest – Peacemaker Immersive Experience

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th from 11:00am – 8:30pm | July 25th from 11:00am – 8:30pm | July 26th from 1:00pm – 2:00pm

·    Location: 5th Ave Landing & Convention Way

·    Details: Hosted at Nova Nightclub in the Gaslamp, this immersive experience throws fans into Peacemaker’s over-the-top universe—complete with bars, music, merch, and exclusive character experiences.

 

HBO Max: IT – Welcome to Derry Fan Experiences

·     Roaming Activation Dates & Hours: July 25th – July 26th

·    Details: The terrifying world of IT: Welcome to Derry creeps into San Diego with eerie in-world experiences designed to haunt Comic-Con weekend. HBO Max invites fans to step into the horror with roaming street activations and a late-night teaser event.

 

Abbott Elementary: A Very Abbott Block Party

·    Dates & Hours: Expected July 25th– July 27th

·    Location: Outside the San Diego Convention Center

·    Details & Hours: ABC invites fans to the Abbott Elementary Block Party, a schoolyard-style celebration packed with games, snacks, giveaways, and even a Ferris wheel. This waterfront activation brings the energy and charm of the show to life with interactive moments and character-themed collectables.

Voodoo Ranger: Punk Pirate Shipwreck Bar

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th – July 27th from 10:00am – 6:00pm

·    Location: Behind the Convention Center, along the San Diego Harbor

·    Details & Hours: Set sail once again with Voodoo Ranger IPA as their infamous Punk Pirate Shipwreck Bar returns to the San Diego waterfront for its fourth consecutive Comic-Con takeover. Located just steps from the convention center, this docked pirate ship is a high-energy oasis filled with beer, beats, and bold personality.

Paramount+: Nerd Out Activation

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th – July 26th from 10:00am – 6:00pm

·    Location: Lawn behind the Omni Hotel, San Diego

·    Details & Hours: Get ready to Nerd Out with Paramount+ at this fun-filled, fan-first activation just outside the Omni Hotel. Open to the public and no badge required, this interactive lawn experience invites fans to celebrate their favorite franchises through themed games, contests, and custom DIY stations.

 

Marvel Studios: Thunderbolts Treatz Truck

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th – July 26th from 10:00am – 7:00pm daily | July 27th from 10:00am – 2:00pm

·    Location: Behind the Omni Hotel – Gallery at the Omni, 675 L Street

·    Details & Hours: Enjoy themed soft serve, snag exclusive giveaways, and pose for photos with props inspired by the MCU’s most unpredictable crew.

 

Marvel | ECG Vault Exhibit at Sparks Gallery

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th – July 27th from 8:00am – 7:00pm daily

·    Location: Lawn behind the Omni Hotel, San Diego

·    Details & Hours: The Marvel | ECG Vault Exhibit is a fusion of rare gemstones, fine art, and premium collectibles, presented by East Continental Gems at Sparks Gallery in the Gaslamp.

 

South Park: Comedy Central Fan Celebration

·    Dates & Hours: July 24th – July 26th from 11:00am – 11:30pm daily

·    Location: Quartyard, 1301 Market St

·    Details & Hours: Comedy Central is turning downtown San Diego into South Park for a two-day immersive experience filled with absurdity, nostalgia, and fan-driven chaos. From cosplay contests and trivia to karaoke and exclusive giveaways, the Quartyard will transform into the ultimate South Park

WEB: For more information on all participating restaurants and events, visit www.Gaslamp.org