san diego: dialed in: Comic-Con International 2026 Is Here!

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Comic-Con International 2026 Is Here!

Okay. So I've updated my Comic-Con 2026 PAGE with all the activations and events I could muster the energy to gather. But more fun than that, I went downtown on Wednesday night around 11pm and drove/walked the majority of the footprint. I was done by 1:30am and even more crews were rolling out, so I'm certain many worked through the night after the bars closed. I got about 6000 steps on my little path, but that was with no sun, no people, no traffic, and no time constraints. Photos and such below. After the jump.

This was my first stop, but I couldn't really tell if this is always there or just there for Comic-Con. I wanna say this is on Sixth, between Market and Island.

The Pendry has a wrap for The Vampire Lestat, but there are several more from this show around downtown. Besides a fan meetup on Sunday, I couldn't find a specific activation for the show.

Traffic is gonna be bananas around 4th, 5th, and 6th from Harbor to Market, and surrounding areas. The City has also recently restricted pick-up and drop-off points for rideshares, so pay attention. And while I'm telling you to pay attention, I was STUNNED at how many people look at their phones while crossing the street. Don't be an actual dead zombie. Pay attention to what you're doing and your surroundings. If a car doesn't hit you, certainly a pedicab just might do the deed.

The Lodge by Paramount seems to have the biggest standby lines, so bring your patience if you don't have a reservation. And even then. Is the swag worth the wait? I'll leave that to real fans to decide.

Paramount+’s The Lodge @ Happy Does (340 Fifth Ave | Th-Sun 9am-7pm | RSVP Required | SOLD OUT | Standby Line Available)

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Explore the Port Galley

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender - Republic City Marketplace

South Park

Themed food and drinks

Hands-on games and activities

Exclusive photo ops

Customize exclusive swag

Super Troopers 3 Pop-Up | Merch Giveaways, Themed Experiences, Complimentary Pancakes, Putting Green @ Hasta Mañana Cantina (5th & K | Free | Fri-Sun 9am-5pm)

The wrap for Rings of Power (Coming to Prime 11.11.2026) takes up an entire block.

If anything is gonna draw me back downtown this weekend, it would be my curiosity about what they're doing to the Gaslamp Quarter sign. It was in the early stages of construction when I was there, so I couldn't really piece it together with the supplies I saw on the ground.

Wraps around Hilton Gaslamp.

Hulu/Disney+ Animayhem feat Bob's Burgers, Futurama and more | Themed Food & Drink, Interactive Environments, Photo-Ops, Exclusive Merch @ Palm Trees Garden at the Hilton Gaslamp (Th-Sat 10:30am-7pm | Sun 11am-4pm)

Stuff behind the Omni, on MLK Promenade between 5th and the bridge over Harbor Drive at Petco Park

The view of Hall H line tents from the Hilton Bayfront public access walkway.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort | Game Demos, Head-To-Head Gaming @ Hilton Bayfront Plaza (Free | First-come, First-Served)

[adult swim] on the green | Games & Rides, Prizes, Laser Dance Parties and more @ Bayfront Park/5th Avenue Landing (Th/Fri/Sat 1-10pm | Sun 11am-4pm | Free | Open To The Public)

The Bayfront area behind the Convention Center seems really sparse this year compared to years past, but maybe FX hadn't set up yet? Since they normally take up almost all of Bayfront Park. These were some randos I saw along the route.

This is always my favorite thing, because it represents resistance to developers. The Coastal Commission is very strict (or used to be, at least) about Coastal Access. So there's this really kinda beautiful path between the Convention Center and the Marriott Marquis. Look for the diamond topiary/grass on the walls.