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!).

  • Ticketed: Free, but you need to reserve a slot online 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!