No badge to San Diego Comic-Con? Check out these events instead

Above: Jaime Chamber’s July 11 report on crowds expected for San Diego Pride and Comic-Con.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego Comic-Con is less than a week away and fans who were able to grab a badge before they sold out are now gearing up for the jam-packed weekend.

But those who missed out on getting admission to this year’s convention are not wholly excluded from the nerdy fun the convention brings — there’s still plenty of things to do outside the Convention Center.

From free activations and gatherings to separately ticketed events, here are some attractions outside San Diego Comic-Con to get into the spirit, regardless of whether you have a badge.

Comic-Con Museum

An extension of the convention itself, the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park is the year-round home to all things comics and pop culture art. Featuring seasonal exhibits, hands-on activities, panels, movie screenings and more, the Comic-Con Museum is an excellent visit for those who want to celebrate their favorite fandoms without having a ticket for the convention.

The museum, located at 2131 Pan American Plaza, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online for $25 . Discounts are available for students, seniors and military servicemembers.

Currently at the Comic-Con Museum is the limited-time exhibit, “ Becoming Betty Boop ,” showcasing the nearly 100-year history of the iconic cartoon character. Plus, the museum is hosting a special auction chalk full of authentic movie memorabilia from beloved franchises.

Below: The Comic-Con Museum’s Executive Director joins FOX 5 to talk about the “Becoming Betty Boop” exhibit.

Petco Park Interactive Zone

Get a taste of Comic-Con in a smaller space at Petco Park’s Interactive Zone, located in the Lexus Premier Lot on 11th Avenue throughout the convention weekend. Here are some of the things you can find there:

Netflix Exploding Kittens

A 21-foot Devilcat statue from the board-game-turned-Netflix show “Exploding Kittens” will greet fans inside the Interactive Zone. The studio will also be on-site giving away plushies of fan-favorite characters and Exploding Kittens games.

Nintendo

Gaming giant Nintendo is reportedly going to have a strong presence at this year’s Interactive Zone, allowing fans to try out highly-anticipated games set for release later this year and grab some cool giveaway items.

Hello Kitty Café Truck

Say “hello” once again to the popular café experience featuring the iconic Sanrio character, Hello Kitty. Get goodies and limited edition collectibles at the pop-up.

Enter the Forbidden Zone: The Planet of the Apes Experience

Dive into six decades of one of the world’s most popular franchises, “The Planet of the Apes,” with an immersive experience full of costumes, comics, props and more. Also, get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest film, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

• When: Thursday, July 25 to Sunday, July 28
  • 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
• Location: San Diego Wine & Culinary Center (200 W Harbor Drive; across the street from the Convention Center)

Plus, on Friday at 11 a.m., fans can get the opportunity to meet SteelBook artist and Academy Award-nominated designer Dylan Cole at an exclusive “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” Comic-Con poster autograph signing.

Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Café

Pop-up restaurant Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Café will be back serving up delicious themed bites and offering exclusive goodies for fans of the beloved SEGA character’s universe.

The temporary eatery, which first debuted in San Diego last year, opens for a three-month stint in East Village at 910 J St. Space 2 on Thursday, July 25 at 11 a.m. Then, the pop-up will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through the end of its tenure.

Adult Swim Party on the Green

Calling all swashbucklers, join Adult Swim this Comic-Con as they host the “Pirate Party on the Green,” nightly entertainment post-convention day. Catch glimpses at the new Adult Swim series, play custom games, cop free merchandise and more.

The full experience is available at the 5th Avenue Landing Thursday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., with nighttime entertainment beginning at 7 p.m. More about the attraction can be found on Adult Swim’s website.

UC San Diego Park & Market

Get into Comic-Con spirit by heading over to the UC San Diego Park & Market for an array of themed events throughout the weekend. Here’s some of the programming available:

• A Day with Matt Forbeck, sponsored by MAVERiC Studio
  • What: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons with game master and legend Matt Forbeck.
  • When: Thursday, July 25 from 12 to 9 p.m.
  • Admission: Free
• XR Games Masterclass
  • What: Get a crash course on bringing your game ideas and stories to life in virtual reality.
  • When: Friday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, July 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Day 1: The Climate Games
    • Day 2: Cyber-cities
  • Admission: Free
• The greatest Anime Pioneer in Japan you never heard of: Osamu Tezuka Story
  • What : Join Rachel Costello from UCSD’s Innovating for National Security Academic Program to talk about Osamu Tezuka, a Japanese manga artist credited as being “the Father of Manga.”
  • When: Friday, July 26 from 2:20 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Admission: Free
• “Fronte Risas,” presented by Border X
  • What: Join for an evening of laughs with the binational comedy show, “Fronte Risas.”
  • When: Friday, July 26 from 8 to 10 p.m.
  • Admission: $15
• Jis y Trino’s Big Cartoon Jam
  • What: Experience the creative vision artistry, and humor of iconic cartoonists Jis y Trino.
  • When: Saturday, July 27 from 4 to 8 p.m.
  • Admission: $15

IMDboat

Spend a day out on the water with the return of the star-studded IMDb-sponsored event, IMDboat. Play a game of Lorcana over a slice of DiGiorno pizza, take a photo at the “Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power” photo booth, test your skills with some trivia and so much more.

The boat is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Thursday, July 25 to Saturday, July 27 at 5th Avenue Landing. RSVP is required , but does not guarantee entry. The space is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Focus Features’ Shaun of the Dead

Focus Features will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Edgar Wright’s cult classic, zombie horror comedy, “Shaun of the Dead” with a special immersive experience.

The space, which will feature “meticulously” crafted re-creation of the Winchester Tavern, will be open at 520 Fifth Avenue from Thursday, July 25 to Sunday, July 28. The pop-up will be open from 12 to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

More information about the activation can be found here. Reservations are closed, but the public can join a virtual stand-by queue.

7th Annual Fandom Party

One of the hottest afterparties during Comic-Con, Fandom will be hosting its 7th annual party inside FLOAT at the Hard Rock Hotel. Singer-songwriter Jason DeRulo will be headlining the event, presented in partnership with gaming publisher EA, Z2 Comics and Pinfinity AR.

The party will take place Thursday, July 25 from 7 to 11 p.m. Guests will be able to explore a variety of fan-first experiences, including first-looks at an all new single-player fantasy RPG experience, “ Dragon Age: The Veilguard .”

Fandom will be giving away a few of the A-List tickets to fans with giveaways on social media . More information can be found here.

Paramount+ The Lodge

The Lodge, a popular Paramount+ activation immersing fans into some of the studio’s most beloved properties, will be returning to the Gaslamp Quarter for a second year.

Step onto a “Star Trek” starship, visit Bikini Bottom’s Jellyfish Fields to celebrate 25 years of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” jump into the whimsical world of “If,” and grab a slice of pizza with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in honor of the upcoming “Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” According to CBS officials, additional experiences in The Lodge will feature other shows like “Ghosts,” “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” “Tulsa King” and “Ink Master.”

The Lodge is housed in Happy Does Bar, located at 340 Fifth Ave. It is open beginning on Wednesday, July 24 from 6 to 10 p.m.; Thursday, July 25 to Saturday, July 27 from 12 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission is free with a reservation, which can be made online. A stand-by line will also be available.

Plus, hit the pavement for a citywide Paramount scavenger hunt. More information about the digital scavenger hunt can be found at the Paramount Passport website.

FX at San Diego Comic-Con

FX is bringing a handful of its most popular shows into an immersive experience on the Hilton Bayfront lawn.

Step into the interior of “The Bear” restaurant, take a ride through twelve spine-chilling moments from the American Horror Story on the “Hellevator,” get a glimpse at the world of the new AHS show “Grotesquerie,” pose for a picture outside Paddy’s Pub from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and the Staten Island vampire pad in “What We Do in the Shadows.”

The activation is open to the public Thursday, July 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lightsaber Battle

The Underground Lightsaber Fighters of San Diego will be holding their annual lightsaber battle meet-up in Balboa Park on Saturday, July 27. Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars or looking for a good time, this event is sure to immerse you in a galaxy far far away. The free event runs from about 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. near the fountain outside the San Diego Natural History Museum. More information can be found here.

Abbott Elementary A.V.A. Fest

ABC’s hit comedy, “Abbott Elementary,” is returning to San Diego Comic-Con this year with a splash: It’s bringing one of its best episodes to life with the A.V.A. Fest (A Very Abbott Festival) activation.

Head over the Fifth Avenue Landing Parking Lot B (601 Convention Way) for this unhinged carnival, featuring rides and attractions inspired by some of the show’s best moments.

The A.V.A. Fest is open Thursday, July 25 and Friday, July 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Do you know of any Comic-Con related events not included on this list? Send them to ddawson@fox5sandiego.com

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