Comic-Con week is upon us! These are some of our favorite free happenings that are open to the public throughout the four-day event (July 20-23) and do not require a Comic-Con badge to attend.
1. Game of Thrones Winter Is Here Experience
Fans that stop by will be welcomed to an immersive experience where they can find individual and shareable experiences based on the world of Game of Thrones.
Upon entering, fans will be registered with their own Dragonglass RFID wristband that will capture each touch point of a fan’s journey throughout the activation, producing individual links with ready-to-be-shared pieces of content. Every guest that goes through the experience will get exclusive Game of Thrones prizes.
L Street Fine Art Gallery
2. AMC’s DeadQuarters
AMC is bringing the official fan zone headquarters for all things The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead. Fans can stop by and test their swing at the Negan Batting Cages, score a chance to meet cast members, and so much more.
Martin Luther King Promenade
3. The Blade Runner 2049 Experience
Visitors to the offsite movie experience will pass through a gallery, where Oculus VR will help you feel like you’re in Los Angeles, 2049. The experience doesn’t end when you leave the gallery; a neon-lit post-apocalyptic Los Angeles street scene awaits you when you emerge. See the sights and hear the sounds as the experience tries to determine if you’re human, or not! Actors wearing actual costumes from the Blade Runner 2049 set will be around, handing out giveaways and other surprises. Additionally, the actual Spinner from the new film will be on display, along with other vehicles featured in the film.
Martin Luther King Promenade
4. Adult Swim on the Green
Visitors will be able to relax on the back of a ferocious beast, get a six-minute mind massage and visit the oversized Claw Machine, which dispenses endless goodies geared towards maximizing the Con experience. There will also be carnival and county fair-style games including motorized animals, a tarot card reader, dart throwing, and more. When the sun goes down, fans can come and unwind with free screenings.
5th Avenue Landing behind the Convention Center
5. #IMDboat Fan Lounge
From Thursday through Saturday, 2-4 p.m., fans will have the opportunity to come aboard The IMDboat to relax and unwind in The IMDb Fan Lounge. The IMDb Fan Lounge will offer fans early beta access to play the new Call of Duty WWII.
5th Avenue Landing behind the Convention Center
6. Nintendo Lounge
The gaming giant is powering up several of their most popular games, as part of its summer Play Nintendo Tour that is touring the U.S. Fans will also be able to experience new unreleased titles and participate in gaming tournaments.
Marriott Marquis and Marina
7. FXhibition
FX returns with their fan-favorite exhibition. It will feature the mind-altering world of Legion in the Sessions Mixed Reality Experience, the Atlanta Shop Shot, and the twisted terror of American Horror Story as they stare deep into the hypnotic AHS Zoetrope. The Fox company will also have The Gifted Mutant Testing Center and Ghosted Laser Tag.
Hilton Bayfront Hotel Lawn
8. FANDOM Fest
The largest entertainment fan site in the world is back in San Diego for a weekend full of parties and fun. Fans are invited to stop by the Petco Interactive Zone where FANDOM has teamed up with Pepsi to provide a special fantasy food truck dishing out pop culture-inspired foods with drink pairings, and a lounge area for fans to congregate. There will also be a stage that will feature live FANDOM programs, fan-participatory trivia games, cosplay shows and talent interviews.
Petco Park
9. The VICELAND Party Bus
The party bus is hitting the road and is back in San Diego to celebrate the launch of What Would Diplo Do?, the new show starring James Van Der Beek. The bus is fully loaded with a lounge area, snacks, drinks, music, Wi-Fi, swag, and even a rooftop deck. There will also be special guests stopping by throughout the week.
530 Island Avenue
10. The Netflix Experience
Stop by for sneak peeks of upcoming original shows, exclusive giveaways, and more. You’ll also be able to visit the virtual reality experience of Stranger Things, get immersed into the world of Bright, and dive into the streets of New York with Marvel’s The Defenders.
Hilton Gaslamp
11. Her Universe Fashion Show
The annual event pairs fashion and fandom, offering budding designers the chance to show off both their designing skills and their love for pop culture. For 2017, amateur fashion designers will once again be able to submit their pieces, inspired by geek culture, to compete for a chance to show off their final designs in the live show, set to take place in on Thursday. Guests will be able to line up starting at 1 p.m. and doors will open at 5:15 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Harbor Ballroom
Carlos Rico has been attending Comic-Con since 1998 as a young adolescent fan and professionally as a member of the media since 2008.
11 Off-Site Events during Comic-Con 2017
Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr
