Trying to gain entry into Comic Con is about as easy as learning how to do brain surgery overnight. To the thousands who scored the coveted badges for the biggest geek event of the year, congrats! But to the thousands (maybe millions) of people who were not so fortunate, don’t worry! There are still plenty of awesome geeky things to do outside of the convention center. Since we will be making the trip to San Diego for the weekend, here are just a few of the coolest offsite things you should join us for:
1. Gam3rCon
Dates: Wednesday, July 17- Sunday, July 21
Location: 10th Avenue Theatre
We get it: you’re bummed about missing out on Comic Con. The panels, the celebs, the cosplay! But if you’re looking to get your Con fix without having to wait in lines for hours or get packed in like sardines, you can venture down the street to Gam3rCon. Held at the 10th Avenue Theatre, this con takes place on 4 floors and includes console and tabletop gaming, panels, performances and rooftop parties every night. Tickets are still on sale and they’re a fraction of the price of what you’d have paid for Comic Con. Plus, for most days doors open at 2 .pm. and close at 2 a.m. so there’s no getting up at the crack of dawn! We’ll be there on both Friday and Saturday, and will be attending the rooftop cosplay party on Friday night!
Dates: Thursday, July 18- Sunday, July 21
Location: Petco Park
Started by Chuck‘s Zachary Levi in conjunction with his company Nerd Machine, this is probably the biggest offsite event during Comic Con weekend. Nerd HQ provides fans with access to “cutting edge technology and gaming showcases, exciting autograph signings, cornerstone events and exclusive parties, including Levi’s annual NERD Party.” Sounds awesome, of course! The first round of panels will be announced today with tickets going on sale at 12 p.m. PST on Thursday. They apparently go FAST so grab them quick.
Date: Friday, July 19
Location: Edgewater Grill at Seaport Village, 7:30 a.m.
For the third year, Star Wars Action News will be hosting a Star Wars Fan Breakfast on Friday morning. If you’re looking to start your Con weekend off the nerdy way, this will probably be a fun event to attend. There’s no charge to attend (just pay for your breakfast) and attendees have the chance to win some prizes from the event’s sponsors. But hurry! You have to RSVP to fanbreakfast@swactionnews.com with the number of people in your party by today!
4. Star Wars: The Old Republic Community Cantina
Date: Thursday, July 18
Location: The Commons Bar, 7-10 p.m.
Speaking of Star Wars, BioWare will be hosting one of their Old Republic Community Cantina events outside of Comic Con on the first night. Along with complimentary drinks (sorry kiddos, it’s an adult only kind of party) and snacks, there will be a Q & A with the games development team and giveaways. And if you play the game, you’ll be very excited to know that everyone in attendance will receive a Tauntaun Fawn code! Yay!
Date: Saturday, July 20
Location: San Diego Civic Theatre, 8 p.m.
Peter had been wanting to go to a Video Games Live concert for a while and we’re sure he’s not alone. You doesn’t want to hear their favorite video game music played by an orchestra? Well, thanks to Amazon.com, Video Games Live will be putting on a FREE performance on Saturday night! That’s right, I said FREE! You can buy VIP tickets to secure a seat, but other wise the event is first come, first served. Amazon is offering two pretty sweet ways to score tickets without waiting in line, however. One is a scavenger hunt around the area starting at the Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag ship parked in the harbor behind the convention center and the other is pre-ordering the game on board the ship! The scavenger hunt starts at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and tickets are only while supplies last so be mindful!
If you’d like a longer list of everything else going on outside Comic Con, check out Outside Comic Con.
We are so excited to hit San Diego next week, so don’t be a stranger! Share your Comic Con plans!
