San Diego Comic-Con officially returns this week, and the annual convention will soon be taking over social media as thousands of fans flock to San Diego to partake in the biggest pop culture event of the year.
While the show floor and panels are always a highlight, what makes Comic-Con truly special are the immersive experiences that pop up throughout the event and give fans the chance to transport themselves into the worlds of some of their favorite shows. With many off-site events open to the public and no convention badge required, activations are some of the best ways to experience the excitement of Comic-Con beyond the convention center.
SDCC 2026 will feature some truly amazing activations from legendary studios, which fans will not want to miss out on and should absolutely be adding to their priority lists. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, though, and unsure which activations to check out, allow us to offer some guidance by spotlighting the five can’t-miss activations taking place throughout the 2026 Comic-Con event!
5. Lanterns Training Headquarters
DC Comics returns to Comic-Con in a major way this year with a special activation inspired by the new HBO original drama, Lanterns. Fans will get the chance to prove their fearlessness during the Lanterns Training Headquarters experience, which will guide guests through their own Lantern Corps training.
“The activation unfolds as a guided training journey where fans will receive a briefing from the Guardians and will be evaluated through a series of interactive challenges designed to reveal if they have what it takes to wear the ring. Along the way, guests will move through hands-on experiences, including target practice, trust-based challenges, maze navigation, and escape room-style mystery scenarios via in-world environments like a sheriff's office and dive bar.”
Those who complete their training will be able to commemorate their journey by walking away with a custom Green Lantern ring to take home, which is sure to be a sought-after piece of Comic-Con swag!
Here's the only downside of this activation: this is not an activation that you'll be able to just drop by and join a queue for. The Lanterns Training Headquarters activation required attendees to sign up for limited reservations. Those lucky enough to have snagged a reservation are in for a treat, as this activation is definitely going to be a highlight of the 2026 Comic-Con event!
4. Stuart’s The Comic Center of Pasadena
After nearly a decade, The Big Bang Theory franchise returns to Comic-Con with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, and HBO Max is giving fans a chance to step inside The Comic Center of Pasadena via a special activation. Fans will be able to enter the iconic comic shop from The Big Bang Theory, where they’ll portal-hop through various worlds from the new show.
The activation space will then come to a head as visitors are challenged to discover their own hero archetype. Of course, no activation is complete without photo opportunities, interactive moments, and exclusive merch fans won’t be able to find anywhere else. This is one activation fans won’t want to miss!
Activation Times:
- Thursday, July 23: 11:00 am - 7 pm
- Friday, July 24: 11:00 am - 7 pm
- Saturday, July 25: 11:00 am - 7 pm
- Sunday, July 26: 11 am - 3 pm
3. Paramount+'s The Lodge
One of the more recent annual staples to the Comic-Con festivities, Paramount+’s The Lodge returns once again this summer to Happy Does Bar for a can't-miss activation.
This year, The Lodge will put a major focus on Star Trek in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the franchise and the upcoming new season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds by recreating the original U.S.S. Enterprise model provided by the Roddenberry Estate. Additionally, fans can look forward to wandering through the Republic City Marketplace from Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, dropping in on South Park, and more.
The Lodge once again promises to feature special themed food and drinks, exclusive photo ops, and of course some fun swag for fans to take home, making it once again a must for the SDCC to-do list!
Activation Times:
- Wednesday, July 22: 6 pm - 10 pm
- Thursday, July 23: 9 am - 7 pm
- Friday, July 24: 9 am - 7 pm
- Saturday, July 25: 9 am - 7 pm
- Sunday, July 26: 9 am - 7 pm
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2. Hulu's Animayhem
One of the biggest highlights every year has been Hulu’s activation space, and this year’s will be no different! Fans are not going to want to miss the chance to drop by during this year’s Comic-Con to enjoy the Hulu Animayhem: The Fandom Fuel Up activation space, which will draw inspiration from some of our favorite animated comedies: Futurama and King of the Hill.
Located at the Palm Trees Garden in the Gaslamp Quarter, Hulu invites fans to join their favorite time-travelers, aliens, family men, and quirky neighbors in an immersive experience filled with incredible photo opportunities, themed treats, and, of course, amazing swag.
Futurama fans will not want to miss the opportunity to drop by the Planet Express to enjoy some Fry’s 100 Days of Cold Brew while immersed in the world of Futurama. Meanwhile, King of the Hill fans can look forward to seeing Bobby Hill’s Robata Chane to enjoy some yakitori.
Hulu’s Animayhem activation is always a standout event and it sounds like fans are in store for yet another unforgettable activation this July!
Activation Times:
- Thursday, July 23: 10:30 am - 7 pm
- Friday, July 24: 10:30 am - 7 pm
- Saturday, July 25: 10:30 am - 7 pm
- Sunday, July 26: 11 am - 4 pm
1. Disney’s Percy Jackson and The Olympians
Although there are a lot of amazing activations taking place this year, the one that should be at the top of your must-see list is without a doubt Disney’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians activation taking place on the corner of 5th and L Street!
Last Comic-Con, Disney transported fans via an in-world Percy Jackson diner full of Easter eggs connected to the show, which culminated in the chance to meet the Grey Sisters and walk away with some incredible swag that included a themed water bottle inspired by the Gods, t-shirts, and ball caps. It was one of the standout activations, and we fully expect the show to continue its reign as the best activation of the event via its new immersive activation.
This year, Percy Jackson fans are invited to step inside a titan-sized trident where they’ll choose their own adventure and embark on an unforgettable character journey by following the path of either Percy, Annabeth, or Thalia on a quest to defeat the evil Titans. Along the way, they’ll encounter season 3 teases, have the opportunity to enjoy on-site photo opps, and walk away with some exclusive Camp Half-Blood swag!
Activation Times:
- Thursday, July 23: 9:30 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday, July 24: 10:30 am - 7:00 pm
- Saturday, July 25: 9:30 am - 7:00 pm
- Sunday, July 26: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
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