Comic-Con 2023: Back to 'normal'
Editor's note: Comic-Con International 2023 ended July 23, 2023. Scroll down to read our coverage of the pop culture event.
Last year’s Comic-Con International was held in-person for the first time since 2019. Previous editions included Comic-Con@Home and a scaled back Comic-Con Special Edition in November 2021.
Comic-Con 2023 is basically “back to normal” with no strict COVID-19 protocols like last year. The pop culture event running from July 19-23 is completely sold out of badges.
Whether you’re going or you’re badge-less, you can follow along here for the latest stories, videos and updates on all things Comic-Con.
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On display during this year’s Comic-Con International are images of piranha plants and dreams of Alice in Wonderland painted by Shirish Villaseñor.
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Legal Geeks make the law fun with two panels at Comic-Con this week.
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KPBS Midday EditionTo celebrate Comic-Con, we are convening a Midday Movies edition to highlight a few of our favorite superhero movies.
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Rady Children's Hospital hosts a Comic-Con panel on how its doctors and engineers use 3D printing and virtual reality in complex surgeries.
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The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner resumed service Monday from Orange County to and from San Diego.
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The Droid Building 101 panel at Comic-Con will provide all the basic information to start making an R2 unit.
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For parents of a child with a disability who need a wheelchair, it can be challenging to find the perfect costume.
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Not everyone was able to grab a badge this year. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean the convention starts and ends with the badge holder. Here are our picks for pop culture, comics, music, art, food, drink and fandom events to get a taste of Comic-Con without a badge.
Transportation
Comic-Con is offering a free shuttle service with stops in downtown, Mission Valley and hotels on Shelter Island and Harbor Island. Show your pass to take the shuttles to and from the convention center.
Wednesday, July 19
3:00 PM–7:00 PM: Every 20 minutes
7:00 PM–12:00 AM*: Every 15 minutes
Thursday, July 20
5:00 AM–8:00 AM: Every 30 minutes
8:00 AM–9:00 PM: Every 15 minutes
9:00 PM–1:00 AM*: Every 30 minutes
Friday, July 21
5:00 AM–8:00 AM: Every 30 minutes
8:00 AM–9:00 PM: Every 15 minutes
9:00 PM–1:00 AM*: Every 30 minutes
Saturday, July 22
5:00 AM–8:00 AM: Every 30 minutes
8:00 AM–9:00 PM: Every 15 minutes
9:00 PM–1:00 AM*: Every 30 minutes
Sunday, July 23
5:00 AM–8:00 AM: Every 30 minutes
8:00 AM–7:00 PM*: Every 15 minutes
*The ending time indicated is the last departure from the San Diego Convention Center to official hotels. The last bus departing the hotels going to the Convention Center is approximately 30 minutes prior to the end time listed.
ACE Parking will run a lottery process for parking spaces. Entries are accepted until June 4, 2023. FAQ on the lottery here.
If you'd like to attend Comic-Con via public transportation, the MTS Trolley Service, Amtrak and COASTER train will transport passengers toward the convention center sans the traffic headache.
COVID protocol
Previous Comic-Con events required proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test and wearing a face covering. These aren't required for Comic-Con 2023, although organizers do encourage:
- Get vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19, if appropriate
- Wear a medical quality mask while attending the event
- Obtain a negative COVID-19 test result prior to attending the event
For more information visit the Comic-Con COVID protocol page.