Downtown San Diego has been transformed into a haphazard movie set with numerous activities for locals without a Comic-Con International badge.
The installations, for everything from Nickelodeon to new HBO show “Lanterns,” are free — but there’s a catch.
Lines for the free events can sometimes exceed six to eight hours, and there are Comic-Con legends that speak of even longer times.
Most activations this year are first come, first served. In practical terms, that means getting in a line of biblical proportions, often under a blazing sun, and hoping for the best.
Still, year after year, fans don’t shy away from the super-sized wait times. It’s hard to forget how much of an impact some activations have had over the years: the time HBO built a castle for its “The House of the Dragon” show; when Apple TV re-created the set for “Severance”; or, last year, when fans of the “Alien” franchise could explore a destroyed space ship.
Fans that spend long times in line are often given free items at activations. This year, some free items included a Green Lantern ring, “Futurama” hats and a “Venture Bros.”-themed flying disc.
Here is a guide to some of the can’t-miss activations around downtown San Diego. The only activation featured that costs money is “Clash of Clans’” Clash for the Stache experience with tickets starting at $6.
Adult Swim
Sisters Aria Oberg, 12, and Isabelle, 9, of El Cajon, play a stuffed animal toss Wednesday evening at the Adult Swim activation behind the San Diego Convention Center. The free event was one of many for this year’s Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Sisters Aria Oberg, 12, and Isabelle, 9, of El Cajon, play a stuffed animal toss Wednesday evening at the Adult Swim activation behind the San Diego Convention Center. The free event was one of many for this year’s Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A spinning ride, based on the show “Rick and Morty,” was available at the Adult Swim activation for San Diego Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A mechanical bull riding game based on the show, “Smiling Friends,” was part of the free Adult Swim activation behind the convention center on Wednesday evening for San Diego Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Sisters Aria Oberg, 12, and Isabelle, 9, of El Cajon, play a stuffed animal toss Wednesday evening at the Adult Swim activation behind the San Diego Convention Center. The free event was one of many for this year’s Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Cartoon Network’s nighttime programming, Adult Swim, went all out with various games for attendees this year. Techno and dance music were blaring throughout the space next to the San Diego Bay, with separate lines (after the big main line) once participants got inside. There was a black tent with a hole in it with a sign that says, “Free Hole,” where participants can get a “Venture Bros” flying disc, a Cromulon kite (from “Rick and Morty”) or an “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” coffee mug.
Other games, which often came with prizes for winning, were a stuffed animal tossing activity based on the “President Curtis” show; a mechanical bull riding game based on the show “Smiling Friends”; a mini putt-putt golf course based on “Haha, You Clowns”; and a spinning ride with flashing lights based on “Rick and Morty.”
Location: Fifth Avenue Landing and Convention Way (area behind the convention center)
Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to attend: First come, first served
‘Lanterns’
One of the sets used for the “Lanterns” activation on J Street for San Diego Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
An actor at the “Lanterns” activation handed out Green Lantern rings Thursday on J Street. The event was a promotion as part of San Diego Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Participants shoot airsoft guns as part of a promotion for new HBO show “Lanterns” on J Street. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune).
A bartender hands out beer at the end of the “Lanterns” activation on J Street across from Petco Park. The upcoming HBO show tells the story of the DC character Green Lantern. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A Guardian, a character from HBO’s “Lanterns” show, talks to attendees at an activation on J Street for San Diego Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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One of the sets used for the “Lanterns” activation on J Street for San Diego Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
This promotion for the new HBO show, “Lanterns,” was a bit off the beaten path on J Street in a building across from the Petco Park playground. The show is about the storied DC Comics property “Green Lantern” and participants are trained to joined the galactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps.
Recruits, which are what attendees are called, are brought through different sets from the show and are given missions, such as shooting an airsoft gun at targets and searching a sheriff’s office for clues. No matter how poorly they do, an actor playing a Guardian (founders of the Green Lantern Corps) tells attendees they have passed and they are given a Green Lantern ring. Lastly, participants are brought to a makeshift bar with Heinekens, regular and nonalcoholic, and exclusive “Lanterns” merchandise for purchase.
Location: 808 J St.
Hours: Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
How to attend: Reservations are sold out, but a standby line is available outside the activation.
Nickelodeon
Twelve year old Zoe Tran of San Jose gets slimed during a Nickelodeon activation for Comic-Con International. (Brandon Pollard / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
An actor dressed as Aang from “Avatar: The Last Airbender” made an appearance during a Nickelodeon activation outside the San Diego Convention Center. (Brandon Pollard / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Families attend a Nickelodeon activation Thursday outside the San Diego Convention Center as part of promotions around Comic-Con. (Brandon Pollard / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Twelve year old Zoe Tran of San Jose gets slimed during a Nickelodeon activation for Comic-Con International. (Brandon Pollard / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Attendees are welcomed into the Nickelodeon activation with bubbles, a slime fountain and a big orange DJ stand spinning cartoon classics. Upon entering, guests receive a themed free water bottle (“SpongeBob” and “Paw Patrol”), a blue Hawaiian bucket hat, a SpongeBob ice pop and an option to create their own glitter slime.
At the end of the experience, a line snakes to the Nickelodeon slime station. Guests with a green splotch on their entrance card are invited to get splashed with green goo, or “slimed” — just like the celebrities from Nickelodeon’s iconic Kids’ Choice Awards. Ponchos are provided.
Location: The New Children’s Museum, Children’s Park, 326 W. Harbor Drive.
Hours: Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to attend: First come, first served
‘Silo’
For fans of the sci-fi show “Silo,” Apple TV+ has set up a mini version of the underground structure that protects inhabitants from the toxic world above. After attendees enter the silo, everything goes dark. Then, alarms blare as lights flash from white to green to red. “JL” appears on one wall, alluding to graffiti from the show for “Juliette Lives,” symbolizing how the successful escape of the main character, Juliette, provides hope and resistance for the residents of the silo. On the other wall, an ominous message comes into view: “The truth does not come without cost.” Finally, attendees run out to escape the silo and receive a pin with the “Silo” emblem.
Location: The parking lot at the corner of First Avenue & J Street
Hours: Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to attend: First come, first served
‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” displayed the life-size Hot Wheels Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) at the corner of First Avenue and East Harbor Drive across from the San Diego Convention Center. (Noelle Harff / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” displayed the life-size Hot Wheels Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) at the corner of First Avenue and East Harbor Drive across from the San Diego Convention Center. (Noelle Harff / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” displayed the life-size Hot Wheels Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) at the corner of First Avenue and East Harbor Drive across from the San Diego Convention Center. (Noelle Harff / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” displayed the life-size Hot Wheels Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) at the corner of First Avenue and East Harbor Drive across from the San Diego Convention Center. (Noelle Harff / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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“K-Pop Demon Hunters” displayed the life-size Hot Wheels Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) at the corner of First Avenue and East Harbor Drive across from the San Diego Convention Center. (Noelle Harff / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters” debuted its collaboration with Hot Wheels and Porsche on the front lawn outside the convention center at the corner of First Avenue and East Harbor Drive. The car displayed was wrapped with images of the popular Derby Tiger from the film.
Inside the convention center, the Hot Wheels booth in the exhibition hall, at the Mattel booth, is selling limited-edition miniature “K-Pop Demon Hunters” Hot Wheels, similar to the real Porsche, for $30.
Location: Corner of First Avenue and East Harbor Drive
Hours: Thursday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to attend: No line but people crowd around to get photos
Hulu
Nathaan Havelaar, 52, of Los Angeles, takes a picture of his sister, Harmony Leiker, 45, also of Los Angeles, at the Hulu activation in downtown San Diego for Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
An area for photos from the show “King of the Hill” at the Hulu instillation in the Gaslamp Quarter for San Diego Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Bean bag chairs at the Hulu activation in the Gaslamp Quarter in front of a displaying various animated shows. The activation was part of several promotions outside of San Diego Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Attendees of the Hulu activation in downtown San Diego eat at a Japanese fusion restaurant from the TV show “King of the Hill.” (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Nathaan Havelaar, 52, of Los Angeles, takes a picture of his sister, Harmony Leiker, 45, also of Los Angeles, at the Hulu activation in downtown San Diego for Comic-Con International. (Phillip Molnar/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Disney-owned Hulu is using its space outside the convention center to promote its animated shows “Futurama” and “King of the Hill.” Attendees get two tickets: for a Futurama coffee shop and a Japanese-German fusion restaurant from “King of the Hill.” Activities included an area to sit on bean bags and watch clips of animated shows, a beanbag toss and a spot to take photos in a disembodied head jar (a big theme of “Futurama”). “Futurama” and “King of the Hill”-themed hats were given out.
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade
Hours: Thursday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to attend: First come, first served
‘Clash of Clans’
A “Clash of Clan”s Barbarian prop sits in the lobby at the “Clash of Clans” pop-up activation at Seaport Village.(Brandon Pollard / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Attendees check out some merchandise at the “Clash of Clans” pop-up activation. (Brandon Pollard / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Archer Queen outlines rules at the “Clash of Clans” popup activation at Seaport Village. (Brandon Pollard / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The “Clash of Clans” popup activation at Seaport Village. (Brandon Pollard / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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A “Clash of Clan”s Barbarian prop sits in the lobby at the “Clash of Clans” pop-up activation at Seaport Village.(Brandon Pollard / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Goblin King has stolen the Barbarian’s mustache — the sole source of his power — and has since seized the Clash Village at Seaport Village and declared it his own. Hear his battle cry: “Raid!” The Barbarian and Archer Queen have joined forces and are recruiting you to help take the village — and his facial hair — back.
Attendees can join the raid at Seaport Village Headquarters, where the space has been completely reimagined. Balloons float above an exploding castle, a giant peeks from behind the bushes and wizards throw flames in the foreground. Along the walls is limited-edition Clash of Clans merchandise, including a Hog Rider action figure, skeleton stickers and limited-edition mugs and T-shirts.
Location: Seaport Village Headquarters (849 W. Harbor Drive)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Open through Sept. 7.
How to attend: Online reservations are available at clashforthestache.com. Tickets start at $6.