For one weekend every year, San Diego stops feeling like a city and starts feeling like the center of every fandom imaginable. Streets become movie sets, convention halls transform into immersive worlds, and nearly every corner offers a chance to step inside a story. While the panels may draw thousands to Comic-Con, they’re only part of the experience.
From immersive experiences inside the convention center to larger-than-life installations, themed pop-ups, and exclusive fan events across the city, studios are once again pulling out all the stops for San Diego Comic-Con 2026. Whether you’re chasing your next photo opportunity, collecting exclusive merchandise, or stepping inside your favorite franchise, there’s no shortage of unforgettable moments waiting to be discovered.
To help you make the most of Comic-Con, Pop Culturalist has rounded up the biggest activations and fan experiences taking over San Diego during SDCC 2026. Whether you’re attending the convention or simply exploring the city, here’s everything you won’t want to miss.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians has officially arrived in San Diego with an immersive activation located at the corner of 5th Avenue and L Street. Fans are invited to step inside a trident-shaped structure and embark on a choose-your-own-adventure inspired by the upcoming third season.
Along the way, guests will uncover hidden Easter eggs, exclusive previews of what’s to come, and limited-edition takeaways available only at the activation. Whether you’re a lifelong demigod or discovering the world of Percy Jackson for the first time, the experience offers an exciting first look at what’s waiting in season three.
The Percy Jackson Experience will be open the following dates:
Nickelodeon is bringing its signature slime-filled fun to The New Children’s Museum Park with Fun Flows Here, an outdoor celebration packed with interactive entertainment for fans of all ages. From live stage shows inspired by PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Thundermans, and Star Trek: Scouts to shareable photo installations featuring SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the Kids’ Choice Awards, there’s something around every corner.
Guests can also take on the iconic Nickelodeon slime booth, create their own slime, enjoy bubble play, watch live character-drawing demonstrations, dance to DJ sets, and enter prize raffles throughout the day. The festivities continue Friday evening with a family movie night screening of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
Hulu is bringing Animayhem back to San Diego with an all-new experience celebrating two fan-favorite animated series, Futurama and King of the Hill. Taking over the Palm Trees Garden in the Gaslamp Quarter, Hulu Animayhem: Fandom Fuel Up welcomes visitors into the worlds of their favorite time-travelers, aliens, family men, and quirky neighbors.
Character-inspired photo opportunities, themed food and beverage offerings, and exclusive giveaways bring Hulu’s beloved animated lineup beyond the screen and into the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.
The Horror Section is serving up a twisted treat with The Ice Cream Social Massacre, a gruesome installation inspired by Eli Roth’s upcoming film Ice Cream Man. Taking over Kansas City BBQ, visionary experiential artist Maximillian, creator of I Like Scary Movies, transforms a cheerful community fundraiser in Bayleen Bay into a chilling scene of sugary slaughter.
Severed heads, detached limbs, and melting ice cream create the backdrop for a one-of-a-kind horror experience complete with exclusive swag, themed photo opportunities, and, of course, a killer scoop. Horror fans looking for something delightfully disturbing won’t want to miss this blood-soaked stop.
Where: Kansas City BBQ (600 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101)
When: Friday, July 24, 2026
Hours: 11 AM – 3 PM (killer scoops and swag)
Audible is bringing two of its biggest LitRPG worlds to life with the Level Up Lounge, an immersive fan hub inspired by Dungeon Crawler Carl and Bobiverse. As attendees explore each experience, they’ll earn XP based on their participation, unlocking exclusive loot along the way.
Step inside a Bobiverse-inspired “BobNet” zone, file a Dungeon Crawler Carl Crawler Incident Report, or recharge between adventures with cosplay touch-up stations, listening lounges, and phone charging areas. Exclusive giveaways, prizes, and fan photo opportunities round out the experience.
Where: Swing Social, 527 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
When: Saturday, July 25 | 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Inside the San Diego Convention Center, Nickelodeon is inviting fans to generate enough “fun-ergy” to trigger a nearly 20-foot-tall Slime Surge. Through a series of interactive challenges, attendees will work together toward the ultimate payoff before stepping inside “Enter the Splat,” a fully immersive environment filled with surprise photo and video moments.
The fun continues with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sewer lair photo opportunity, exclusive collectibles, daily giveaways, and appearances from talent and fan-favorite characters. Whether you’re hunting for limited-edition merchandise or hoping to get slimed, there’s plenty of Nickelodeon magic waiting on the show floor.
Adult Swim is once again transforming the Green into the ultimate after-hours destination with three nights of free programming celebrating the network’s biggest shows and unforgettable moments. Kicking things off is an exclusive screening event featuring never-before-seen content, surprise previews, and first looks from across the Adult Swim lineup.
The weekend continues with a live Rick and Morty table read featuring the series’ voice cast before wrapping up with a one-night-only celebration honoring 25 years of Adult Swim. Fans are encouraged to come in cosplay for an evening of live entertainment, animated visuals from Afuchs Twin, and plenty of late-night mayhem.
The world of Clash of Clans comes to life with Clash for the Stache, an interactive adventure that places players at the center of an epic mission. After the evil Goblin King steals the Barbarian’s legendary mustache, the source of his powers, attendees must join the Archer Queen and a band of heroes to reclaim it.
A series of puzzle challenges leads participants through the mission, with themed merchandise, snacks, giveaways, and game-inspired environments waiting along the way. Longtime players and newcomers alike can put their skills to the test while experiencing the franchise beyond the screen.
Where: Seaport Village Headquarters, 789 W Harbor Drive Unit 146, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
When: From 10 AM to 9 PM
Before Wildwood arrives in theaters this fall, LAIKA is inviting fans to cross into the Impassable Wilderness for the very first time. Located outside the Hard Rock Hotel, The Forest Is Calling Portal Experience draws inspiration from Colin Meloy’s beloved novel and brings the film’s rich mythology to life through the studio’s signature handcrafted artistry.
Prue McKeel’s abandoned bicycle, Baby Mac’s wagon, hidden artifacts, and Easter eggs are woven throughout the lush forest setting. Visitors will also discover which faction they belong to before leaving with a personalized digital photo and collectible keepsake to commemorate their journey.
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