SDCC activations & off-sites
the basics
Off-sites are immersive experiences, brand pop-ups, or themed activations set up in the Gaslamp Quarter and surrounding areas during Comic-Con. And here’s the kicker — you don’t even need a badge to attend most of them.
They range from:
⚔️ Interactive walk-throughs (like last year’s Dungeons & Dragons tavern)
🌌 Immersive set recreations (Star Trek, House of the Dragon, etc.)
🍿 Free food trucks or giveaways (Adult Swim, FX, Amazon Prime)
🎮 Game demos, escape rooms, and rooftop parties
Whether you have a badge or not, these are a huge part of the Comic-Con experience.
Some fan-favorite activations from SDCC 2024 included:
FX’s “The Shōgun Experience” — a cinematic courtyard with sword fighting demos and ramen.
Adult Swim Festival on the Green — games, free swag, live music.
Star Trek’s 57-Year Mission Pop-Up — museum-style installations with props and photo ops.
Fandom Party — invite-only rooftop bash with celeb appearances. Returning for 2025!
Paramount+ The Lodge — themed drinks, puzzles, and exclusive merch. Returning for 2025!
They’re fun, wildly creative, and let’s be honest — usually great for scoring freebies and photo ops.
Each off-site runs a little differently. Here are the common formats:
- Walk-ups: First-come, first-served (be ready to line up early!).
- Reservation Required: Free, but you need to reserve a slot online in advance.
Ticketed: Requires a purchased ticket in advance.
Wristbands: Picked up from a location earlier in the day.
Lottery: Some (like Hulu or Amazon) require pre-registration through a random drawing.
Pro tip: Some activations start a day early on Wednesday (Preview Night), so keep your Thursday plans flexible!
Want to Stay Organized?
To help you navigate the organized chaos that is Comic-Con week, we’ve built the most comprehensive off-site tracking tool around — covering not just official SDCC activations, but everything happening in and around the city during July 19–27, 2025.
Here’s what you’ll find in our table & map:
Event Tags – Quickly spot which events are immersive, giveaways, adult-only, fandom-specific, or food-focused.
Age Restrictions – Know which events are all-ages, 18+, or 21+ (so no surprises at the door).
Hours & Dates – Every listing includes exact times and whether it runs for one day or the whole con.
Cost Info – All free events are flagged. If there’s a paid ticket or RSVP, you’ll see it up front.
Location + Host Info – Every listing has the host name (Crunchyroll, Paramount+, etc.) and full address for easy navigation.
Beyond SDCC – Our list includes major events happening around San Diego during the week — concerts, geeky nightlife, and more.
Bonus: Use the interactive map to plan your walking route and see what’s nearby — no more missing out because something was just around the corner. Here’s a preview:
Become a Fan-Con Hero Passholder to access the full SDCC 2025 Off-Site Table & Map Here.