Search results for

No SDCC® badge required Paramount+ is bringing THE LODGE back to the Gaslamp District for its third consecutive year—this time with its biggest, boldest, and most immersive fan experience yet. From Wednesday, July 23 through Sunday, July 27, fans can step inside the interactive takeover at Happy Does (340 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101). As the fourth stop on its national 2025 tour, THE LODGE will feature expansive activations inspired by more hit titles and iconic franchises than ever before. From themed drinks and dynamic set recreations to exclusive giveaways and share-worthy photo ops, the Lodge promises unforgettable experiences for fans of all ages. This year’s activations include: The DEXTER: RESURRECTION vault: The Vault has reopened…and it remembers everything. Hidden behind the sleek facade of a wine cellar lies a mysterious Vault, an unsettling shrine to the darkest corners of human nature. Inside, guests will discover a chilling collection of relics, case files, and twisted keepsakes from some of history’s most notorious killers, all curated with cold precision in true Dexter fashion. Experience STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS and STARFLEET ACADEMY: To celebrate the spirit of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS season three, fans are invited to step inside an oversized Starfleet holodeck, a fully immersive sci-fi playground featuring a series of interactive vignettes, each inspired by specific episodes from the upcoming season. Guests can sip cosmic cocktails in the romantic ‘Intergalactic Love Lounge,’ or dive into a campus-inspired environment of the STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY space that features exclusive themed swag. Designed for free exploration, social sharing, and full-throttle fandom, this holodeck journey lets guests experience the series like never before. The LANDMAN Patch Café: Step into an authentic slice of Midland, Texas and kick back in a faithful recreation of the series’ favorite watering hole. Guests can order up signature drinks at the bar in a M*Tex souvenir mug. Go off the grid with NCIS: TONY & ZIVA. Enter a world of espionage, romance, and high-stakes tension in this Parisian café with a twist. Inspired by Tony and Ziva’s journey, this space features a cozy exterior that hints at the quiet life they crave, while the inside transports guests to a different world. Step inside a stripped-down safehouse, complete with Easter eggs such as surveillance equipment, photos, and passports. Paramount Pictures invites fans to celebrate the legacy of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise with an immersive experience that drops guests straight into the high-stakes world of Ethan Hunt. Die-hard fans and first-time agents alike will experience a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity in a recreation of the iconic scene from MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996) where Ethan is lowered into a high-security vault. Guests can strike the legendary suspended pose for a personalized image to take home of their unforgettable IMF mission. Score a Touchdown at the CBS Sports Clubhouse, a stadium-inspired space repping all things THE NFL ON CBS. Fans can take a seat in the arena-style bleachers or check out a vibrant arc of all 32 jerseys, celebrating every team in the league. Down on the turf, guests can test their arm in a target practice challenge. The UEFA Champions League-themed sports bar is also the perfect spot to kick back and relax. Select fans can also participate in an interactive social experience while they wait in line for The Lodge at the Paramount+ Fan Frontier Outpost. Guests will have a chance to “claim” their very own spot on the legendary Paramount Mountain* inspired by Paramount+ IP such as SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, STAR TREK, YELLOWJACKETS, SURVIVOR and more in a fun and unique way. Upon exiting The Lodge, participants can pick up their personalized printed “deed” at the outpost and a digital copy will be sent via SMS. Operating hours: Thursday, July 24 - Saturday, July July 26 for three sessions between 11AM - 2PM. For the first time ever, Pluto TV, the global leader in FAST and the complimentary free streaming service to Paramount+, will also be featured in The Lodge. This summer, Pluto TV is exploding with hundreds of fan-favorite blockbusters and cult-classics films – all for free. To celebrate the service's “Summer of Cinema” campaign, the Pluto TV activation will be bursting with free popcorn, slushies, and a one-of-a-kind photo op. Location: Happy Does Bar, 340 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 Operating Hours & Admission: Wednesday, July 23 from 6–10 PM; Thursday, July 24 - Sunday, July 27 from 9 AM - 7 PM PM daily. Admission is free, but on a reservation system. Sessions can be booked via this link. There will be a stand-by line daily if no reservations are available. Note: The Lodge is not an official Comic-Con activation, therefore no SDCC badge is required for entry. *For entertainment purposes only. This is not a real deed and does not entitle the recipient to any property rights. All rights to the content depicted are the property of Paramount Global. This is a fictional “Paramount Mountain.” PARAMOUNT+ MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE BOOTH On the Convention floor, fans can step into the icy mountain-themed setting of the “Paramount+ Mountain Experience” Booth, featuring an epic Mountain Crane Challenge where attendees can put their skills to the test at the larger-than-life custom dual claw machine game. The machine will be filled with exclusive prizes from fan-favorite Paramount+ shows – and an all-new exclusive Paramount+ merch drop, “Peak the Plushie.” There will also be plenty of snappable moments on Paramount Mountain, including a custom video capture experience perfect for sharing. A SDCC badge is required for entry. Booth # 3529. ‘NERD OUT PARAMOUNT’ ACTIVATION: Come Nerd Out with us! In celebration of the new @nerdoutparamount social channels, Paramount+ is bringing all the fandom fun outside the Omni Hotel during Comic-Con, giving visitors a chance to explore and connect with the iconic franchises, characters and worlds across Paramount. The tented Nerd Out booth activation will feature games, laidback DIY activities, fan contests, exclusive prizes, giveaways and more. Location: The Lawn outside the Omni San Diego Hotel at the Ballpark, 675 L St, San Diego, CA 92101. Operating Hours & Admission: Thursday, July 24 - Sunday, July 27 from 10 AM - 6 PM daily. No reservation required. Fans can walk up to the event. Note: This booth is not an official Comic-Con activation, therefore no SDCC badge is required for entry.

The 2025 Her Universe Fashion Show is presented by Universal and hosted by Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe. It is highly anticipated to be the epicenter of the fandom community! We will select unique, one-of-a-kind designs inspired by any fandom found at San Diego Comic-Con from between 20 to 25 designers who are at least 18 or older. The selected designers will create and showcase their designs as they come to life during the 2025 Her Universe Fashion Show! At the end of the night, two winners will be chosen by both the audience and an expert panel of judges and both winners will be awarded a cash prize of $2,000 USD and may also be offered the opportunity to design a fashion collection with Her Universe! * Wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first served basis beginning at 10 a.m. PST. Please note that attendees may begin to line up prior to the official distribution time; however, Her Universe does not endorse or manage any unofficial lines that may form before that time. Her Universe reserves the right to adjust the start time of wristband distribution and to manage the line at its sole discretion in the interest of safety and fairness. Visit: https://www.heruniverse.com/her-universe-fashion-show/ Her Universe on Facebook / Instagram

Offsite - no badges are required Looking for the purr-fect way to spend some time at San Diego Comic-Con? Adult Swim is back with claws out and cutlasses drawn, welcoming fans to the “Pirate Purrrty on the Green”, an unhinged outdoor activation anchored just outside the convention center (5th Avenue Landing and Convention Way. This year’s activation transforms last year’s pirate ship into a full-blown feline fantasy, mashing together pirate antics with all the cattitude you’d expect from Adult Swim. Attendees can swing by Thursday, July 24 – Saturday, July 26 from 1p.m. - 7 p.m. daily for a paw-sitively wild time (entry is first come/first serve, and no badges are required). There’s plenty of fur-midable fun to sink your claws into, like bouncing through Rick and Morty’s Buttworld Bounce House, pawing through plushies on the Common Side Effects Mushroom Hunt (and claim an exclusive plushie as your prize!), snapping a selfie in the Smiling Friends Break Room (with exclusive merch), and bring home a (plush) pet from the Adopt-a-Cuy Station, inspired by Women Wearing Shoulder Pads. DIRECTV will also be providing a DIRECTV Face Painting Zone, where you can choose from custom designs inspired by Rick and Morty, SMILING FRIENDS, and more — plus you’ll get a framed photo souvenir. If you’re an early bird (or early cat), the first 750 fans each day get an exclusive Smiling Friends vinyl figure. They’ll also be providing raffle giveaways during Saturday’s “Adult Swim Night of New”. And just what is that, you may be asking? Adult Swim will be featuring three evening “Pirate Purrrty On the Green” events all week long, including: Thursday, July 24 (7:15 p.m.) — “Robot Chicken” – A Celebration 20 Years in the Making – Come celebrate 20 years of hilarious stop-motion comedy with Matt Senreich, Seth Green and special guests. Get an inside peek at what it’s like to be a part of one of Adult Swim’s longest running, highly acclaimed shows. Friday, July 25 (7:15 p.m.) — Adult Swim Presents: Live Table Reads – Brace yourself for an exclusive live table read with the voice casts from Rick and Morty and SMILING FRIENDS that’s equal parts chaotic, emotional, and probably the best thing you’ll ever witness. Saturday, July 26 (7:15 p.m.) — Adult Swim’s Night of New – Attendees to this special outdoor screening event will be the first to experience a collection of never-before-aired Adult Swim content featuring full-length episodes of SMILING FRIENDS, Women Wearing Should Pads, Haha, You Clowns, and an early look at the season 8 finale of Rick and Morty, alongside more new Adult Swim content. The fur-larity doesn’t stop there, as Adult Swim will also be taking over the Hilton Bayfront’s Indigo Ballroom with three Friday panels, including: Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty Season 8: The Panel Adult Swim’s Haha, You Clowns Series Premiere Preview Adult Swim’s SMILING FRIENDS Season 3 Preview For more information visit: https://sdccblog.com/2025/07/adult-swim-ready-to-pirate-purrrty-on-the-green-at-san-diego-comic-con-2025/ The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog is not affiliated, connected or associated with Comic-Con International.

We’re excited to announce the best way to kickoff Pride Weekend in Hillcrest to celebrate with your community: the Pride Cocktail Garden. This FREE outdoor experience will take place during and after the Stonewall Rally and offers a vibrant space to gather with friends, enjoy a cocktail, and toast to the start of Pride Weekend. The garden will feature: Local vendors (including food & dessert) A full cocktail bar Hillcrest swag booth A comfortable area to watch the rally and connect with community PRIDE RAFFLE! Plus, don’t miss our exclusive Pride Raffle. For every cocktail you purchase, you’ll receive one raffle ticket for a chance to win Hillcrest bar gift cards and Pride Passes to local events. There will be two drawings during the evening—one at 8:00 PM and another at 8:30 PM. Winners must be present to claim their prizes. Celebrate Pride, support local, and raise a glass to community!

A new Pynchon! A Tim Curry memoir! A 600-page doorstopper from a reclusive writer (not named Thomas Pynchon)! The fall is stacked with big book releases. Here's what we're particularly excited for.

Embrace that vintage Volkswagen spirit at the 9th Annual All Out VW Car Show, where all unique and classic VW vehicles are warmly welcomed. Visitors can anticipate dazzling competitions with categories like Best Bug, Ghia, and many more, fabulous raffles, and for those showing their cherished VWs, some coveted prizes, including an exclusive show t-shirt and a pint of beer, await. Visit: https://www.idrivesocal.com/events/all-out-vw-car-show

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman believes tariffs President Trump has threatened to impose on countries, including Mexico and Brazil, are here to stay and will cost U.S. consumers.

Jill Lepore writes about the strength and stability of America's founding document — and its capacity for change. And Angela Flournoy tracks the friendship of five young Black women over 20 years.

Trymaine Lee spent years reporting on the deaths of men who look just like him. His new memoir, A Thousand Ways to Die, chronicles the impact of gun violence in Black communities.

Sze is a poet with a lot of acclaim — he's won the National Book Award, was a Guggenheim fellow and was a finalist for the Pulitzer. He aims to promote interest in translated poetry in his new role.