2019 Events

The 3rd annual Comikaze Liberty Station Artists Alley, offering space to any artist unable to get a booth at Comic-Con and any Publisher who would like to have a pop-up space to meet their adoring but non-badge wielding fans. Comikaze is a 15-20 minute ride from downtown San Diego, located in beautiful Liberty Station on Pt. Loma.

Tables will be open 11am-6pm daily from Tuesday, 7/16, through Sun, 7/21. No badges are needed but a Comic-Con badge will get you 10% off in the store.

Vendors can reserve table space at Eventbrite and you can also keep in touch on their Facebook Event Page.

The San Diego Law Library presents the 10th annual Lindley Lecture on Law & Comics on Tuesday, July 16, from 4:00pm-5:00pm at the downtown Central Library (Neil Morgan Auditorium).

The panel will examine what comic creators need to know about the law. Learn from creators and attorneys who’ve been there. For more details, and to register for the FREE tickets, visit Eventbrite.

Thumbprint Gallery curates a pop-up group art exhibition at Basic Bar Pizza on Tuesday, July 16, from 7pm to midnight. The event is free and open to the public. After 9:30 21+ after 9:30pm.

Learn more on their Facebook Event Page.

The Tuesday before Comic-Con, the Rooftop Cinema Club shows the 1986 classic, Top Gun. Situated on the 4th floor sports terrace of the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, this location is a perfect setting to sit back and enjoy movies on the big screen under the stars.

Doors open at 6:30pm, allowing plenty of time to grab your headphones, pick a seat, and enjoy awesome cocktails, delicious food, fun games and city views at sunset. The movie starts at 8:30pm.

Tickets are $17-$24 and available at the Rooftop Cinema Club web site.

This is an 18+ event.

The annual Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive returns to Comic-Con, and will again be located in the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel, this year moving to the Coronado Ballroom on the 4th level. The Blood Bank has also added Wednesday to their blood drive!

No convention badge is needed to donate, and walk-ins will also be welcome. To make an appointment in advance, please use the handy links below:

• Wednesday: 9am – 6pm
• Thursday: 9am – 6pm
• Friday: 9am – 6pm
• Saturday: 9am – 6pm
• Sunday: 10am – 3:30pm

You can also read more about the blood drive’s history on the Comic-Con site.

Nerdvania returns to Atomic in downtown San Diego from Wednesday through Sunday of Comic-Con. Located on the 2nd floor, in the Tiki room of Atomic, the shop will have Funko Pops, toys, comics, and other colelctibles. The venue is all ages until 9pm.

The Nerdvania hours are below. You may RSVP on Eventbrite (free).

• Wednesday, July 17: 2pm – Late
• Thursday, July 18: 2pm – Late
• Friday, July 19: 2pm – Late
• Saturday, July 20: 2pm – Late
• Sunday, July 21: TBD

Several textile artists are planning prize drops during SDCC:

•  Grumpy Skittles Studio hosts an art drop during SDCC, from Wednesday through Sunday. Follow @PlushiesPop on Twitter for clues to the drop locations during the con.
• The Geeky Hooker returns with their annual crochet art drop. Follow @GeekyHooker for hints during SDCC.
• @shozumi is also planning a crochet drop on Twitter.
• @niftyneuron is using the tag #CrochetDrop for their prize drops.

The annual comedy show and live taping of Doug Benson’s podcast, “Doug Loves Movies,” returns the American Comedy Co on awednesday, July 17, at 8PM. More information about the podcast can be found at: douglovesmovies.com. To have a chance at winning some prizes, bring a movie themed name tag!

Tickets are $20 and available at the American Comedy Co. web site.

This is a 21+ venue.

The future home of the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park will be hosting a fundraiser event called the Gathering, celebrating Batman’s 80th anniversary. Attendees will experience an evening of entertainment, special guests, props and memorabilia, and the first Character Hall of Fame induction.

Tickets for the Gathering go on sale June 3.

More information about the July 17 Gathering can be found at: www.ccmgathering.org

Bestselling authors Christina and Lauren (writing together as Christina Lauren) invite readers for another “Girls’ Night Out Happy Hour Adventure” as they introduce their newest novel, The Unhoneymooners.

Join them on Wednesday, July 17, starting at 5pm for a fun night of signature cocktails and themed breakfast food. tickets include a $10 food voucher and a signed copy of the book.

Tickets are $38 and available at Adventures by the Book. You can also stay up to date on their Facebook event page.

Join The Baker Street Babes and friends for the return of the Great SherlockeDCC Scavenger Hunt! Follow clues, solve puzzles, and complete a fun and exciting scavenger hunt all over SDCC for great prizes. This event occurs during the entire convention, from 6pm Wednesday to noon on Sunday. Winners will be contacted on Sunday by 12:30pm.

No badge is needed to participate. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets with tiers as follows:

• Irregular ($10): Join the hunt as one of Sherlock Holmes’ street urchins, the Baker Street Irregulars.
• Consulting Detective ($35): Join the hunt as the Consulting Detective himself. Comes with goodie bag filled with $50 worth of goodies including t-shirt, art, books, jewelry, and more.
• Moriarty Madness ($50): Join the hunt as the Napoleon of Crime. Comes with goodie bag filled with $75 worth of goodies including a board game, t-shirt, art, books, jewelry, and more.

The return of the OASIS to Fluxx Nightclub on Wednesday, July 17, from 8pm to the wee hours. General admission is $39. Tickets and more details are at Eventbrite.

This is a 21+ event.

On Preview Night, the Rooftop Cinema Club shows the 1986 classic, Top Gun. Situated on the 4th floor sports terrace of the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, this location is a perfect setting to sit back and enjoy movies on the big screen under the stars.

Doors open at 6:30pm, allowing plenty of time to grab your headphones, pick a seat, and enjoy awesome cocktails, delicious food, fun games and city views at sunset. The movie starts at 8:30pm.

Tickets are $17-$24 and available at the Rooftop Cinema Club web site.

This is an 18+ event.

Please note: This event requires a Comic-Con badge.

New Line Cinema will be returning for their 3rd annual ScareDiego event, Wednesday 7/17. We have only had a tease, so more details will follow. Last year’s event was 8:30pm at the Horton Grand Hotel Theatre with tickets picked up in the Convention Center Sails pavilion earlier that day.

The event will feature sneak peek of IT: Chapter 2.

The annual Art Show returns to the Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall of the lobby level, from Thursday morning through Sunday evening. The exhibit of art, sculpture, jewelry, and more is free and open to the public. There is also a special exhibit focusing on the Eisner Award nominees and art from members of the Will Eisner Hall of Fame. The Art Show’s open hours are as follows:

Thursday–Friday: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00–7:00 PM

More info on the SDCC website.

The Supernatural Wiki hosts their annual “Wayward Cocktails” fan event at Garage Kitchen and Bar on Thursday, July 18, starting at 6:00pm. Join fellow fans for Snacks from the Bunker, themed cocktails, mocktails, wine and beer, and a Hunter’s Bag full of exclusive goodies. Drink tokens will be available for purchase for Supernatural themed cocktails.

Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets.

The Her Universe Fashion Show returns for it’s 6th year at Comic-Con, to be held on Thursday, July 18, 6pm at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Learn more at Her Universe.

Fashion designers compete to win the opportunity to design a collection with Her Universe for Hot Topic. Hosted by Actress, Entrepreneur and Founder of Her Universe, Ashley Eckstein a celebrity panel of judges select the winner from the designs presented on the catwalk.

The event will be in the Harbor Ballroom, second level of the Hyatt. Line up starts at 1pm and doors open at 5:15pm.

This event is sold out but you can join the waitlist at Eventbrite.

Looking to get a commission from the LEDKILLA at SDCC? Here’s your chance. Have dinner with Ken Lashley to kick-off SDCC 2019! Event is at Buca di Beppo and includes dinner along with sketches, signed comics, prints and more. Only 10 seats available.

Hop-Con returns with version 7.0 and a Thursday night event, on July 18. This 21+ event is held annually at Stone Brewing’s Point Loma location, about 10 minutes from downtown San Diego.

Tickets are available at Eventbrite and are $75 for General Admission, and $40 for Designated Driver, without the beer and glassware.

Your $80 ticket includes:

• Fifteen 3oz tasters (5 of which count for w00tstout pours)
• 3 specialty casks of w00tstout
• Commemorative glassware to take home
• Gourmet food stations with unlimited tastings
• Lawn games including giant jenga, bocce ball, connect 4
• Silent Disco
• Interactive Art Wall
• Churros for dessert

You can also purchase a lithograph of this year’s bottle art by Alan Davis, with proceeds going to the Hero Initiative supporting artists of yesteryear.

Don’t forget your ID!

The Comic-Con subreddit is holding their annual meetup & party on Thursday, July 18, at 7pm. The party will be at Trailer Park After Dark, basement level of 835 Fifth Ave.

Read more and submit your RSVP on the Comic-Con Subreddit post.

Mark Ellis returns to San Diego during Comic-Con with his stand up show at the American Comedy Co. on Thursday, July 18. He will have 2 shows, at 7:30 and 9:30PM.

Tickets are $18 and available on the American Comedy Co. web site. This is a 21+ venue.

The most zany, animany and totally insany Animaniacs are back! Fans of the beloved Warner Bros. animated series get up close and personal with their favorite characters.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster with pre-sale code YAKKOPINKY.

The Emmy Award winning cast perform songs from the pop-culture hit cartoon series – live on stage in the all-new Animaniacs In Concert! Original voice-cast stars of the iconic animated series — Rob Paulsen (Yakko, Pinky, Dr. Scratchansniff), Jess Harnell (Wakko), Maurice LaMarche (The Brain), and Emmy Award-winning composer Randy Rogel who created those memorable songs you STILL can’t remove from your brain pan, bring the stage to life and run through an unforgettable playlist of Animaniacs hits.

You can get more information on the show at AnimaniacsLive.com.

Nerdist Industries and Experience Level Entertainment invite you to a party in Hawkins on Thursday, July 18, at Fluxx Nightclub. Enjoy the Starcourt Mall, the Palace Arcade, Castle Byers and more. But wait! The Mind Flayer is trying to break through, and the Demogorgon is lurking about, as the Upside Down is merging with our world. This party is filled with immersive Instagram/TikTok-ready experiences, themed DJ sets, and live performances by the maestros of 80s nostalgia, The Flux Capacitors.

Tickets start at $35 and are available at Eventbrite.

Returning for the 4th year, Kristian Nairn (AKA Hodor from Game of Thrones) brings his live DJ set to Omnia Nightclub on Thursday night of Comic-Con.

This is a 21+ event. Doors open at 9, although the set may start as late as 11pm or midnight. General admission and VIP tickets are $20 – $50 and available on the Omnia web site.

There’s also a free RSVP for the guest list at Eventbrite.

Mark Ellis returns to San Diego during Comic-Con with his stand up show at the American Comedy Co. on Thursday, July 18. He will have 2 shows, at 7:30 and 9:30PM.

Tickets are $18 and available on the American Comedy Co. web site. This is a 21+ venue.

The 4th annual Harry Potter cosplay gathering and parade. Meetup location to be announced closer to the date, see their Facebook event page for details.

The MEAT UP returns! A cosplay gathering for Bob’s Burgers fans. Costumes encouraged!

The date and time are NOT confirmed, please stay up to date on the exact date and time on their Facebook Event Page.

Enjoy the 2nd annual celebration of Black Comics, Sci-Fi, Afrofuturism, and Astral Blackness with the Afrofuturism Lounge, this year moving to the NewSchool of Architecture & Design. The lounge is a first of it’s kind and back again for another round on both Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, from 5PM – 11PM.

Events include workshops and panels, a cosplay competition on Friday, Hero/Villain Lair Design Competition, music, drinks, and all with free admission.

Registration is free on Eventbrite. VIP access also available for $20.

Local Harry Potter fan group, Wands Up San Diego, hosts a meetup and party on Friday, July 19, from 5:30 – 10:30pm at the Tipsy Crow. Costumes encouraged but Muggle-wear is fine!

Stay up to date on their Facebook event page.

JumpStart Games hosts a Neopets 20th Anniversary party on Friday, July, 20 at Salt & Whiskey. This is a 21+ event.

Details at Eventbrite.

While the event is sold out, last year Funko did livestream the party.

Funko Fun Days returns to the Manchester Grand Hyatt on Friday, July 19, at 6pm. Mingle with other Funatics, party with Funko, and have an amazing night in San Diego. There will be food, drinks and awesome prizes. Take your pictures with life-sized Pop! characters and enjoy special guests, games, contests and crazy shenanigans.

Join The Adventure Zone Graphic Novel Live! featuring the entire creative team behind the graphic novel: Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy, and Carey Pietsch.

At this live show, your ticket to the show gets you a copy of THE ADVENTURE ZONE: MURDER ON THE ROCKPORT LIMITED! graphic novel and each copy will come with a bookplate signed by one of the McElroys! The live show will include a conversation with the team about the graphic novel and a live “reading” of an excerpt from the new comic, featuring special guests playing your favorite NPCs.

Tickets are $43 available at Ticketmaster.

The San Diego Symphony performs “Galaxy Quest” live at Copley Symphony Hall, conducted by score composer David Newman. Tickets not yet on sale but will be on the Symphony web site.

The Underground Lightsaber Fighters are having a special battle in July for Comic-Con weekend. Join the ULF in Balboa Park (at the main fountain) after the convention on Friday, July 19, for their tournament. You can watch the battles, or sign up to participate!

More info can be found on their Facebook Event Page. If you would like to enter the formal tournament, information on rules and required gear can be found on their website at: www.ulfsandiego.com

The ULF is San Diego’s largest monthly lightsaber gathering. Every month they hold a tournament for serious fighters, and provide a fun place for the whole family and all Star Wars fans to enjoy themselves.

Spend an evening with artist Scott Williams with dinner, stories, comics, art, and signed items. The dinner is Friday July 19, 8pm at Buca di Beppo in downtown San Diego. Tickets are $500 at Eventbrite, with 15 seat available.

The Grandmaster, En Dwi Gast, requests your presence on Sakaar at his PARTY OF CHAMPIONS! Surrounded by cosmic gateways, this state-of-the-art trash planet exists on the edge of the known and unknown – at the cross section of the Cosmic Multiverse of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure!

With performances by DJ Yondu, The Ravagers Band, and special guest including the stars of Stargate, Farscape, Trek and more will be hanging out in the Rio Vista Entertainment VIP area.

Tickets are $25 for early bird, $35 general admission to $100 VIP, and are available at Eventbrite.

Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley) and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation, House of Lies) return to San Diego during Comic-Con with their long form improv show. They will be at the Balboa Theatre on Friday, 7/19, at 9:30pm.

Tickets are $24 – $46 before fees and available at Ticketmaster.

Cosplay meetup at the Marriott Marina. More info TBA. Follow their Facebook Event to stay up to date.

The House of Puerto Rico — one of Balboa Park’s International Cottages — hosts graphic novelist Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez for a signing on Saturday, July 20, from 12 – 1PM. Miranda-Rodriguez is writer and creator of the critically acclaimed and bestselling superhero series La Borinqueña.

Stay up to date on the Facebook Event Page.

Please note: This area of the convention center likely requires a Comic-Con badge.

A gathering for fans and cosplayers of Harley Quinn, with a photoshoot and meetup. To be held Saturday, July 20, at 1pm on the back stairs of the convention center. See the Facebook event page for more details.

Author Cynthia Diamond hosts her annual “Seek & Swag” on Saturday, July 20, from 2-10pm around the Gaslamp area. Follow along on her Facebook Event Page, where she will post her location and how long she will be there. She will also be doing online giveaways.

Please note: This location requires a Comic-Con badge to access!

Join other GoT costumers for a photoshoot on Saturday, July 20, starting at 2:30pm at the rear of the convention center. Visit their Facebook event page for details.

Please note: This location requires a Comic-Con badge!

A meetup and photoshoot for DC characters. Date and time confirmed 1 week before the event. See their Facebook event page for more details.

The WorldBeat Cultural Center hosts a Pop-Up Market and SDCC-inspired art show on Saturday, July 20, from 12pm – 6pm. There will be a cosplay contest, prize drawings, handmade goods on display, Artisans, Vegan food vendors, Kombucha on tap, face painting, and more.

Tickets are FREE but please RSVP at Eventbrite. Tickets with concert are also available for $20.

The annual D23 Member Mixer will be returning to San Diego during Comic-Con, on Saturday, July 20, celebrating the 80th anniversary of Marvel Comics. The event is available only to D23 Gold and Gold Family members in good standing.

More details still TBA. Last year’s event was at the House of Blues from 4-6pm.

Enjoy the 2nd annual celebration of Black Comics, Sci-Fi, Afrofuturism, and Astral Blackness with the Afrofuturism Lounge, this year moving to the NewSchool of Architecture & Design. The lounge is a first of it’s kind and back again for another round on both Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, from 5PM – 11PM.

Events include workshops and panels, a cosplay competition on Friday, Hero/Villain Lair Design Competition, music, drinks, and all with free admission.

Registration is free on Eventbrite. VIP access also available for $20.

La Bodega Gallery hosts their annual SDCC-themed art show, and this year is Comic Book Art. The opening reception will be Saturday July 20th, from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. The event is free and open to all ages. Cosplay is encouraged!

They have a call out for art now, you can find out more on their Facebook event page.

The San Diego Bar Citizen group hosts a meetup for Star Citizen and Squadron 42 players, Saturday, July 20, at 6pm. The meetup will be on the patio at Slaters 50/50.

Stay up to date on their Facebook Event Page.

The ZombieWalk returns to shamble through the streets of downtown San Diego. The walk will be on Saturday, July 20, starting at 6pm. More details to be finalized. Keep up to date on their Facebook event page.

The Thumbprint Gallery, After Dark Creations, and Subterranean Coffee Hillcrest host a group art exhibit and reception on Saturday, July 20, from 6 – 9pm. The “Scum and Villany” group show celebrates pop-culture villains, and the event is free and open to the public.

Keep up to date on their Facebook event page.

Kevin Eastman, the artist and co-creator behind the comic books Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Drawing Blood, will be hosting two Happy Hours after his SDCC panel at Duck Foot East Village on Saturday, July 20, at 6PM and 7:30PM.

Tickets are $50 and available at Brown Paper tickets at the links below:

• First session, 6:00 – 7:00 pm (7/20)
• Second session, 7:30 – 8:00 pm (7/20)

Tickets are limited! Only 5o tickets per session are available. Your ticket includes:

• 1 hour with Kevin Eastman Studios
• 1  can of Duck Foot Brewing’s Drawing Blood Orange beer with comic label, autographed by Kevin Eastman
• 1 pint of Drawing Blood Orange beer
• Gluten-Free Brazilian Cheese Bread

This is a 21+ event!

Join the McElroy family for The Adventure Zone Live!

Tickets are $56 after fees and available at Ticketmaster.

A trivia competition with sports-entertainment flair, Movie Trivia Schmoedown Live! comes to San Diego with a show on Saturday, 7/20, at 7pm.

Tickets are $25 for General Admission, $50 for Meet & Greet, and $110 for VIP. Doors open 6:30pm.

Display Geek is joining forces with Mike Hess Brewing for a 1 year anniversary party at their headquarters near Miramar, after the convention on Saturday, July 20, from 7-10pm.

Tickets are free for general admission and $25 for VIP, which includes a shirt, store discount, raffle entry, and more. Get the details at Eventbrite.

Mystery Science Theater 300: The Return and The Meltdown alum, Jonah Ray, brings his stand up to the American Comedy Club on Saturday, July 20th, with two shows: 7:30PM and 9:30PM.

Tickets are $20 and available at the American Comedy Co. web site.

This is a 21+ venue.

Back to the Future performed live by the San Diego Symphony at Copley Symphony Hall.  The performance will be conducted by David Newman, performing Alan Silvestri’s musical score. tickets not yet on sale but will be on the Symphony web site.

Mystery Science Theater 300: The Return and The Meltdown alum, Jonah Ray, brings his stand up to the American Comedy Club on Saturday, July 20th, with two shows: 7:30PM and 9:30PM.

Tickets are $20 and available at the American Comedy Co. web site.

This is a 21+ venue.

SuicideGirls: Blackheart Burlesque returns to SDCC with a show at The Music Box in Little Italy. Show is Saturday, July 20, at 9:30pm. This is a 21+ show.

The most creative, sexy, and all-around fun show has been revamped and re-imagined for the Comic Con audience. This geek fantasy spectacular will amaze, as the girls perform the sexiest of striptease numbers filled with pop-culture references. SuicideGirls, an online community that celebrates alternative beauty and indie culture from around the world, has taken classic burlesque and added a spin to satisfy everyone’s geek side.

Tickets are $30 – $75 and available on the Music Box web site.

The team from the horror podcast, Last Podcast on the Left, bring their show to the Balboa Theater on Saturday, July 20, at 10pm.

Tickets start at $21.50 (before fees) and are available at Ticketmaster.

Party like it’s 1998 (or at least like it’s 2010), as The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog presents Pacey-Con on Sunday, July 21, after the convention closes.

Join the UBlog team from 6PM-8PM at The Dubliner (554 Fourth Ave) for a night of mingling with our team in a casual atmosphere, Dawson’s Creek and SDCC trivia, a coloring contest, some prizes, and more. The Dubliner also serves great food, so it’s a good chance to sit down and finally eat an actual meal now that the convention is over.

This event is FREE to attend, and first-come/first-serve.