Comic-Con is back! From July 24-27, fans will gather in their best cosplay and meander through the Convention Center, eager to see panels, artists and new activations. But not everyone is lucky enough to gain passage into the convention’s sacred halls. No matter — KPBS has curated a list of Comic-Con-flavored events and locations that will satisfy your con cravings.
Music and Film | Cosplay | Food and Drinks | Art | Games and Activations | Educational
Music and Film
Crunchyroll Anime Fest 2025
Calling all anime lovers — this two-day festival at The Rady Shell features artists, DJs and producers behind some of your favorite anime openings and endings. Performers include J-pop singer yama, known for the “SPY x FAMILY” theme. Expect art stalls, immersive installations and other activations.
🕓︎ Doors open at 1 p.m., July 25-26 | 📍 The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
'Batman' (1989) in concert
Watch billionaire caped crusader Batman (Michael Keaton) defend Gotham from the Joker (Jack Nicholson) with a live 50-piece orchestra performing Danny Elfman’s score. Costumes are encouraged, and the show is open to all ages.
🕓︎ 8:30 p.m., July 26 | 📍 Gallagher Square, 840 K St., Petco Park| 💵 $59.99+ | MORE INFO
'Napoleon Dynamite' Live!
Catch a screening of the iconic millennial cult classic “Napoleon Dynamite” — then stick around to meet two of the film's stars: Jon Heder (Napoleon) and Efren Ramirez (Pedro). After the movie, enjoy a Q&A, some improv comedy and a game show-style audience interaction.
🕓︎ 7 p.m., July 25 | 📍 Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown | 💵 $40+ | MORE INFO
Rooftop Cinema Club – ‘It Takes Two’
Escape the crowds with a family-friendly screening of “It Takes Two,” the ’90s classic where identical 9-year-olds swap places and play matchmaker starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
🕓︎ 1 p.m., July 27 | 📍 Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, 1 Market Place, downtown | 💵 $11+ | MORE INFO
Comic Tron: Daft Punk/Tron-inspired After Party
For those looking to end the night with libations and slick synths, head to the Music Box for Tron-inspired after-party featuring Daft Punk-inspired beats celebrating the iconic techno and EDM duo.
🕓︎ 8 p.m., July 26 | 📍 Music Box, 1337 India St., downtown | 💵 $27+ | MORE INFO
Kevin Smith's Comic-Concerts!
Filmmaker Kevin Smith returns to Comic-Con with three live shows featuring Smith, Jason Mewes and Ralph Garman riffing on Comic-Con memories, reading "Archie" comics and interacting with the audience. For ages 21 and older.
🕓︎ Times vary, July 24-25 | 📍 Good Night John Boy: 401 G St., Gaslamp Quarter | 💵 $35+ | MORE INFO
Cosplay
Her Universe Fashion Show
Something "Wicked" this way comes at this year’s Her Universe Fashion Show, themed “Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations,” inspired by the “Wicked” films. Finalists will showcase original designs inspired by Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation franchises like “Jurassic World” and “How to Train Your Dragon.” It's a celebration where fandom meets fashion — and the audience helps choose winners alongside the judges.
🕓︎ 6 p.m., July 24 | 📍 Seaport Ballroom of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place, downtown | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
Cosplay Repair Station
Imagine for a moment that you've a killer cosplay — but then, disaster strikes. A snag, a missing button or, heaven forbid, a ripped seam. Have no fear: the San Diego Central Library has what you need to make a fix and more. The cosplay repair shop is located on the fourth floor inside the Central IDEA Lab, where you’ll have access to sewing machines, 3D printers, laser cutters and other tools to get you back in character.
🕓︎ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 24-26 | 📍 San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
Food and Drinks
7th Annual Comic-Con Themed Bar Crawl
If you're more interested in chatting about comics over a cold one, this might be an event worth checking out. The seventh annual Comic-Con-themed bar crawl will feature two check-in points and visits to more than 10 locations, where participants can enjoy themed drinks and connect with fellow fans and nightlife adventurers. Cosplay is encouraged. Participants must be 21 or older and present a valid ID.
🕓︎ 8 p.m to 2 a.m., July 24-27 |📍Check-in: 8-9 p.m. at TORO, 672 Fifth Ave., San Diego, downtown | 💵 $17.85+ | MORE INFO
Malibu Barbie Café
“Come on, Barbie, let’s go party!” Everyone’s favorite pastel-colored icon is popping up in San Diego for Comic-Con. The themed café features a menu catering to both families and adults 21 and older, with separate kids' meals and cocktail offerings. Food is curated by Becky Brown, a “MasterChef” finalist, and guests can skate for just $1 at the café. All proceeds from skate rentals will be donated to Girls Inc., a local nonprofit that helps girls in San Diego grow up strong, smart and bold.
🕓︎ Noon to 10 p.m. daily through Oct. 12 |📍2137 Pacific Highway, San Diego, downtown | 💵 $25+ | MORE INFO
A Taste of Paradise in San Diego!
Come say "aloha" to Stitch and friends at Disney’s "Lilo & Stitch" activation, A Taste of Paradise in San Diego. Fans can snap island-inspired photos and cool off with complimentary shaved ice served daily.
🕓︎ 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., July 24-26; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27 | 📍 Gaslamp Diagonal, adjacent to the Omni Hotel (where Sixth Avenue ends) | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
PAC-MAN Café
Ready to 1-Up with some nostalgia? Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. and Secret Sauce Society have opened the PAC-MAN Café to celebrate 45 years of the iconic ghost-chomper. Enjoy themed snacks, drinks, merch, giveaways and a chance to play "Shadow Labyrinth" — a 2D platform experience offering a fresh twist on the iconic game.
🕓︎ 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., July 12-Aug. 3 |📍 323 Seventh Ave., San Diego, Petco Park area | MORE INFO
Art
2025 Comic-Con Art Show
The Comic-Con Art Show features original works — drawings, sculptures, jewelry and more — from over 100 professional and amateur artists. Many pieces will be available for purchase through silent auction or quick sale. Must be 18 or older with ID to bid.
🕓︎ 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., July 24; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., July 25; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 26-27 | 📍 Manchester Hyatt in Grand Hall CD, 1 Market Place, downtown | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
Nostalgiamation Life Drawing!
Ever wanted to learn how to draw traditional 2D animation? Here's your chance. Library After Dark presents Nostalgiamation Life Drawing!, a chance to sit, sip and sketch your favorite characters. All skill levels are welcome, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own art supplies to draw models in short poses.
🕓︎ 8-10 p.m., July 25 | 📍 Tiny Giant Tap Room, 1985 National Ave., Suite 1132, Barrio Logan | 💵 $20 | MORE INFO
Chuck Jones Gallery signings
The Chuck Jones Gallery welcomes fans to its new Seaport Village location, where artists Fabio Napoleoni and Ben Olson will be signing artwork on separate days.
🕓︎ 5:30-8:30 p.m., July 25 (Napoleoni); 5:30-8:30 p.m., July 26 (Olson) | 📍 Seaport Village, 809 W Harbor Drive, E4-B, downtown | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
Now Or Never Comics x Skybound Entertainment signing/giveaway
Love comic books and want to support your local comic book store? Now or Never Comics is teaming up with Skybound Entertainment for a signing with “Invincible VS” art director Dan Eder. Fans can also pick up a limited-edition copy of “Invincible Universe.”
🕓︎ 11 a.m.-1 p.m., July 26 | 📍 Now or Never Comics, 1055 F St., downtown | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
Games and Activations
Play a game at Bards & Cards
Comic-Con is all fun and games — literally. And what better way to play than alongside fellow fans at Bards & Cards? Whether you're a first-time player or a seasoned strategist, there's something on the table for everyone, from Disney Lorcana to Magic: The Gathering.
🕓︎ Hours vary | 📍 936 Fifth Ave., San Diego, downtown | 🆓 Prices vary | MORE INFO
Comic-Con trivia at The Last Abbey
Love comic book trivia? The Lost Abbey Church is hosting its third annual Comic-Con Edition Trivia Night. Test your pop culture knowledge, compete for prizes and show off your cosplay in a costume contest.
🕓︎ 7 p.m., July 25 | 📍 The Lost Abbey Church, 1313 J St., downtown | 🆓 Free| MORE INFO
FX Alien: Earth “The Wreckage”
For fans of all things “Alien,” FX is taking over the Hilton Bayfront lawn with “The Wreckage” — an immersive, in-world experience promoting the upcoming series “Alien: Earth.” Explore the wreckage by day and face a pulse-pounding encounter at night.
🕓︎ Hours vary, July 24-27 | 📍 Hilton Bayfront Lawn, 1 Park Blvd., downtown | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
'Twisted Metal' Bumper Battle
Fans of “Twisted Metal” can take the wheel and crash through Peacock’s “Twisted Metal” bumper car rink — a nod to the tournament featured at the start of Season 2. Choose from vehicles inspired by the show’s iconic rides, reimagined as bumper cars.
🕓︎ Noon to 4 p.m., July 24; noon to 6 p.m., July 25-26 | 📍 THE LOT, 450 Second Ave., Suite J, downtown | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
Educational
Comics Conference for Educators and Librarians 2025
Comic-Con International and the San Diego Public Library are hosting a five-day conference exploring how pop culture intersects with education. Panels will discuss how comics can be used in the classroom to engage today’s youth.
📅 July 23-27 | 📍 San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
Indigi-Con 2025
Held alongside Comic-Con, the first-ever Indigi-Con is presented by UC San Diego's Indigenous Futures Institute in collaboration with the Eyaay Ahuun Foundation and the San Pasqual Band. The con will feature Indigenous artists, writers, family-friendly activities and panels.
🕓︎ 5-10 p.m, July 25; 10-11:30 a.m., July 27 | 📍 UC San Diego Park & Market, 1100 Market St., downtown | 🆓 Free with RSVP | MORE INFO
8th Annual Afrofuturism Lounge
Celebrate Black creators at the 8th Annual Afrofuturism Lounge, a one-day event featuring Black comic book artists and writers, plus panels and discussions on writing, character design and development and the comic book industry.
🕓︎ 6-10 p.m., July 24 | 📍 The Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park | 💵 $20+ | MORE INFO
Give blood at the Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive
Be a hero off the convention floor — donate blood during the five-day Comic-Con Blood Drive, held next to the San Diego Convention Center at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Donors will receive a limited-edition "Fantastic Four" T-shirt and Comic-Con swag, while supplies last.
🕓︎ 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 23-26; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27 | 📍 Manchester Grand Hyatt First Floor — Grand Hall A 1 Market Place, downtown | 🆓 Free | MORE INFO
