Event Dates
From: Thursday, July 25, 2024
To: Sunday, July 28, 2024
One of the biggest conventions in the world, San Diego Comic-Con is one of the most inclusive of the comic con events
One of the biggest conventions in the world, San Diego Comic-Con is works hard to be inclusive, showing support for the LGBTQ community with its numerous industry panels, thousands of gender fluid cosplay and showcasing queer characters in new television series and movies.
- Stay in thee Downtown district, home to some of the city’s better hotels and just 6 minutes drive/15 min walk from the convention centre. Stay at The Bristol, a boutique hotel located at the crossroads of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
The Convention
- More than 100,000 people from the USA and around the world make the pilgrimage to Comic-Con in San Diego each year. The event has even set the Guinness World Record for the largest annual comic and pop culture festival in the world.
- Enter another universe at the San Diego Convention Center as you mingle with people in stunning costumes ranging from iconic Marvel superheroes to frightening creatures from trending horror movies.
- Gone are the days when it only showcased comic books; today San Diego Comic Con covers the entire range of pop-culture from collectible card games, anime, manga, animation, web comics, film and television. Where else can you meet with so many different types of people with similar interests.Comic-Con is like one big circus with stunning costumes. This is where people’s imaginations run riot and fantasies come true.
Gay Parties during San Diego Comic Con
- Typical parties include the Heroes and Villains parties at Rich’s.
- The Locker Room’s Comic Con Party at The Merrow is also very popular.
Special Trolly Line
- For the duration of the convention, San Diego MTS will run a trolley line service between the Balboa Avenue Transit Center and 12th and Imperial Transit Center
- The Special Event Line serves UC San Diego Blue Line stations between Balboa Avenue and Santa Fe Depot, and then continues along the Green Line path between Santa Fe Depot and 12th & Imperial
The Panels
- Each year the convention hosts some amazing panels. Plan which ones you want to attend and be prepared to wait! Stay a step ahead and get to your preferred panel early. Also, tickets, hotels and apartments sell out well in advance, so book everything early.
- Popular Gay Panels include “LGBTQ Characters on Television” and “Horror Is Queer”.
- Most of the events are finalized within 2 weeks of the event so stay flexible with your plans.
- A a rule of thumb, Friday usually has a lot of Star Wars events, Saturday is the busiest day on the convention floor and Sunday is quieter.
- Each year Prism Comics produces a special LGBT guide to the event, covering the different panels. Highly recommended.
Gay Parties during San Diego Comic-Con
- The Convention Center is located on East Harbor Drive just off the marina close to the heart of the city’s busy districts and to the great restaurants in the nearby Gaslamp District of downtown SD.
- The Westin San Diego features spacious rooms offering superb city views, a modern fitness centre, spa and pool.
- As the evening progresses many visitors hit the gay bars and clubs along Hillcrest, which host special theme nights, drag-themed comic con shows and even a superhero pool party. Many bars will have extended happy hours for the event.
- And don’t miss your chance to feature in the LGBT Cosplay Group Photo at the San Diego Convention Center on the Sunday! The event is for LGBT cosplayers to get together and take a huge group photo session!
Recommended Hotels in San Diego
The following hotels are close to the city’s top attractions, and a short ride to the convention centre:
Pendry San Diego, Gaslamp Plaza Suites, The Westin, Inn at the Park
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 hotels with the best rates.
Solamar Hotel is a Kimpton, a great
gay-friendly chain perfect location
For further information and advice on
Comic-Con San Diego Website
The gay scene in San Diego is located mostly in the trendy Hillcrest neighborhood, just northeast of Balboa Park and a short drive or cab ride from downtown. Several others are in the districts just to the east of Hillcrest: University Heights and Normal Heights.
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We have chosen hotels in San Diego that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Pendry San Diego features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and bar and offers free WiFi. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, room service and ticket service for guests. The hotel offers a à la carte or American breakfast.
The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter features a sundeck with outdoor games, spa services and a swimming pool. A 55-inch flat-screen TV each guestroom is furnished with a refrigerator and a coffee machine. A laptop safe and work desk are also provided. Eco-friendly LED and CFL lights along with solar shades
Gaslamp Plaza Suites is a historical, European-style hotel built in 1913. The original architectural design with marble walls and stairways is featured at Gaslamp Plaza Suites. Each stylish room at this hotel provides a seating area with a cable TV and a DVD player. Suites include a refrigerator, a coffee machine
This unique all-suite San Diego property is situated on the edge of Balboa Park West. It features a piano bar and elegant suites with kitchen facilities. Inn at the Park features traditional historic charm and spacious suites. Each suite includes clean white linens and a cable TV.
San Diego Comic Con 2019