Couldn’t get your hands on a San Diego Comic-Con badge this year? The (partial) good news is that there is lot of awesome family-friendly events for San Diego Comic-Con fans that you can enjoy…and there is no badge required! We’re sharing a list of the ones that caught our eye and will be adding to this list as we learn of more.
Even without a Comic-Con pass, there is a lot of events in San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter during Comic-Con that are lot of fun and full of geeky spirit…and you won’t have to have a Comic-Con badge to enjoy them. Some are free, others have a fee, but one things for sure: there’s no shortage of things to do.
While many of the events for Comic-Con fans clearly cater to adults, we know that there is a lot of you who have kids and want to enjoy the fun with your entire family (like we do!). With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the events that are more family-friendly for San Diego Comic-Con fans.
NOTE: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: “family-friendly” is subjective to each family. What might work for one family, might not work for another family. While some families might not believe in zombies, there is others of us who accepted them as reality a long time ago. So, take a look at this list and make the choices that are best for your family.
Have a family-friendly 2014 event for San Diego Comic-Con fans that you would like included here? Write us at [email protected]
Gaslamp Quarter
Directly across from the San Diego Convention Center is the historic Gaslamp Quarter. If you want somewhat of a Comic-Con experience, without the badge, visiting Gaslamp during the days of Comic-Con will be your best bet. Numerous tents and displays are set up with exhibits and activities from everything from upcoming movies, to TV networks (possibly Cartoon Network?), and more. While we will be listing details about events in Gaslamp below, it’s possible to find lots of cool stuff there even without knowing 100% who will be setting up there. You may even walk away with some free swag.
Date: July 23 -27, 2014
Time: varies
Place:
Gaslamp Quarter (directly across from San Diego Convention Center)
San Diego, CA 92037 [MAP]
Admission:
Varies, but many things will be free to check out and won’t require a pass
Notes: Visit Gaslamp.org for more information, such as parking details. Following them on Twitter and Facebook can also be a great way of finding out what’s going on there.
Superheroes’ Night Out
The New Children’s Museum is having the 2nd annual Superheroes’ Night Out family party. Enjoy dinner and dancing, superhero themed activities, and a costume contest.
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2014
Time: 5 p.m .- 8 p.m.
Place:
The New Children’s Museum
200 West Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
$20 Child – $30 Adults* for members
$25 Child – $35 Adults* for general admission
Children under 2 are free
*Adult prices includes 2 drink tickets
More Info: http://www.thinkplaycreate.org/superheroes-night-out
Zach Braff’s ‘Video Games: The Movie
Date: July 18, – 24, 2014
Time
July 18, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
July 19, 5 p.m. & 9 p.m.
July 20, 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.
July 21, 5 p.m.
July 22, 3 p.m.
July 23, 5 p.m.
July 24, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Place
Media Arts Center San Diego
2921 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104 [MAP]
Admission
Members: $7.50
General Admission: $11.00
Seniors/Students/Military: $8.50
Mondays: $6
Matinee (first showtime of the day): $6
Note: All Ages
6th Annual Comic Con Dive
An early morning dive adventure to tour the La Jolla Underwater Canyon with Roddenberry Adventures
Date: July 23, 2014
Time: 9:00 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.
Place
La Jolla Shores
8200 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla CA 92037 [MAP]
Admission:
Free, but spots are limited. You have to bring your own equipment, no equipment will be provided
Note: You can email [email protected] for more info and any questions
More Info: http://www.roddenberryadventures.com/events/6th-annual-comic-con-dive/
Godzilla Interactive Display
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be celebrating the upcoming release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ summer blockbuster “Godzilla” with a 4-day Godzilla Interactive Display. It will take place on the lawn behind Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center (next to the 5th Ave pier and ferry landing). There will be a 24-foot tall sculpture of Godzilla, as well as fan art, a graffiti wall, giveaways and photo opportunities.
Date: July 23 -27, 2014
Time: 8:00 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Place:
San Diego Convention Center
111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
Free – and even though it’s on the grounds of the San Diego Convention Center, you should be able to view the display without a badge (but no guarantees)
Gam3rcon
Video games, tabletop games, retro arcade, geek theater, roof-top parties
Date: July 24 – 27, 2014
Time: 12 p.m. – 12 a.m
Place:
Tenth Avenue Arts Center
930 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92102 [MAP]
Admission:
Adults: $20 a day or $50 for week-long pass (includes preview night)
Kids (under 12): $10 a day or $30 for week-long pass (includes preview night)
More Info: http://www.gam3rcon.com/
The Aquabats – 20th Anniversary Tour with Koo Koo Kanga Roo
The Aquabats, stars of the TV show The Aquabats! Super Show! on HUB Network, Netflix, and Hulu will be performing at the House of Blues in San Diego.
Date: July 24, 2014
Time: 7 pm
Place:
House of Blues San Diego
1055 5th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
$32.00, on sale through Live Nation
Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult age 18 over over
Super Video Game Land
Super Video Game Land is an event celebrating the video games of our past (Zelda, Mario, Final Fantasy, Paper Boy, or any other classic titles), displayed through the paintings of local San Diego artist Anthony Bulcao. There will be over 50 unique works of art from many favorite classic games available for purchase, music from the arcade days of the 80’s and early 90’s, classic video game consoles available to play, and of course the finest craft beer in town for the adults, brought to you by Mission Brewery.
Date: July 24 – 27, 2014
Time: 6 pm – 11:55pm
Place:
Mission Brewery
1441 L St, San Diego, California 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
Free, except for food and drinks + art is for sale, if interested
Note: While this is a brewery,they encourage parents to bring their kids. We do recommend going 6-9pm if visiting with kids.
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/611567512251234/
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Comic Con Kelp Dive Show
Interact with Rod Roddenbery while he dives in the Aquarium’s extraordinary two-story 70,000-gallon kelp forest tank.
Date: July 24, 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place:
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, Ca 92037 [MAP]
Admission:
Cost $17 Aquarium admission (Show is free)
Note: All ages welcome.
More Info: http://www.roddenberryadventures.com/events/birch-aquarium-at-scripps-comic-con-kelp-tank-dive-show/
Steam Powered Giraffe
This creative band combines visual of robot pantomime with sketches, pop culture references, improvised comedic dialogue, and of course, original music.
Date: July 24, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (but doors open 6 pm; VIP photo opps start at 4 pm)
Place:
Birch North Park Theatre
2891 University Ave., San Diego CA 92104 [MAP]
Admission:
General admission tickets are $25, VIP tickets are $100
Note: For more info on tickets click here. This show is for all ages.
More Info: http://www.steampoweredgiraffe.com/
San Diego Symphony – Video Games Live
After five years, Video Games Live returns with symphonic music from popular video games just in time for Comic-Con.
Date: July 24, 2014
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Place:
Embarcadero Marina Park South
1 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
The cost for the show ranges from $25 to $90
Note: All Ages
More Info: http://purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org/single/EventDetail.aspx?p=4248
Batman: Arkham Knight Art Exhibit
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is celebrating the upcoming release of Rocksteady Studios’ “Batman: Arkham Knight,” and will host the Cape/Cowl/Create art exhibit. It will feature true-to-scale replicas of the game’s cape and cowl used as a blank canvas by top contemporary artists to produce their own original interpretations.
Date: July 25 – 27, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Place:
Hard Rock San Diego Hotel (Legends Room)
207 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
Free
Note: Open to the public, all ages
2014 SDCC Marvel Photo Shoot
Wear your best Marvel hero or villain outfit and join up for this mass photo shoot.
Date: July 25, 2014
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Place:
Mezzanine Steps San Diego Convention Center
111 W Harbor Drive, San Diego, California 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
Free for all ages
Note: This event is sponsored by the West Coast Avengers
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/165347086985102
SherlockeDCC (Sherlock Fandom Party)
Join The Baker Street Babes, Being Geek Chic, The Nerdy Girlie, SherlockDC, and Cara McGee for a night of sleuthing, drinks, games, prizes, and general debauchery
.
Date: July 25, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Place:
San Diego Public Library – 9th floor
330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
Tickets: $20 (21.69 with online fees) General Admittance; $30 ($32.04) “The Woman” level; $40 ($42.39) Consulting Detective Level
Note: All tickets are sold out, but if want to be put on a waiting list CLICK HERE
More Info: http://sherlockedccparty.tumblr.com/
San Diego Symphony – Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton
Come and enjoy a night of Danny Elfman’s music from all of Tim Burton’s greatest films, also a video will play during each movie score.
Date: July 25, 2014
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Place:
Embarcadero Marina Park South
1 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
The cost for the show ranges from $25 to $90
Note: All Ages
More Info: http://purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org/single/EventDetail.aspx?p=4250
The Haunted Hotel
Probably questionable on it’s family-friendliness, but those of you with older kids who love scary stuff might enjoy this: The Haunted Hotel will have a special opening for Comic Con 2014. They will also have the the Zombie Apocalyse Store (from Las Vegas), set up downstairs.
Date: July 25 – 26, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Place:
424 Market Street
San Diego, Ca 92101
(At the corner of Fourth & Market) [MAP]
Admission:
$18, cash only at door (there is a $3 discount if you do have a 2014 Comic-Con pass)
Note: Not recommended for children under the age of 10. Also, no pregnant women, infants, or children being carried by parents.
More Info: http://hauntedhotel.com/comic-con-14/
Disney Cosplay Meetup
Sponsored by the San Diego Costume and Cosplay Support Group
Date: July 26, 2014
Time: 1:oo p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Place:
Children’s Park, 101 Island Avenue, San Diego CA 92071 [MAP]
Meet North of the MLK Promenade (Foot path) by the pond
Admission:
Free
Note: All Ages
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/293908110770059/
Southern California DC Cosplayer Photoshoots SDCC 2014
Date: July 26, 2014
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Place:
Semi-circle stairs located outside, at the back of the convention center
111 W Harbor Drive, San Diego, California 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
Free
Note: All Ages
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/254029654748267/
8th Annual SDCC Zombiewalk: San Diego
Date: July 26, 2014
Time: 5:00 p.m and the walk begins at 5:15 p.m.
Place:
Children’s Park
180 1st Ave, San Diego, Ca 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
Free
Note: All ages are welcomed for the walk. There is an afterparty “Prombie“, but that event is for 21+.
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/508136295921065/
San Diego Symphony – Star Trek (2009)
Watch the 2009 Star Trek film (the full movie) featuring the San Diego Symphony performing the soundtrack live
Date: July 26, 2014
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Place:
Embarcadero Marina Park South
1 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
The cost for the show ranges from $25 to $90
Note: All ages
More Info: http://purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org/single/EventDetail.aspx?p=4252
SDCC Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Fan Party
Date: July 27, 2014
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place:
Henry’s Pub
618 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 [MAP]
Admission:
This event is first come first serve, you can also RSVP to the party. Space is limited.
Note: All ages until 9:00 p.m.
More Info: http://shieldtv.net/rsvpmaker/2014-sdcc-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-fan-dinner-updated-2014-7-27
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