While we wait for Celebration in April 2027, we’ll have to make do with other conventions that attract more than just Star Wars fans. San Diego Comic-Con is one of the oldest and largest (and my hometown convention). Here’s a round-up of the many, many opportunities for Star Wars fun on the exhibit floor, around the convention center, and of course in panels. There’s dozens more events that pop up if you search “Star Wars” in the programming guide since there’s so many creatives in town that have worked on comics, shows, books, and everything else Star Wars. Pace yourself, stay hydrated, and enjoy your time exploring a galaxy far, far away in sunny San Diego next week!
Meetups:
The Star Wars cosplay photoshoot takes place on the mezzanine at 11am on Saturday.
Later that night is the Virtual Cantina Network meetup at the Omni Hotel. Find the crew at the Ace Porter Bar and make some new friends in the fandom, they’re a welcoming bunch!
Even the local soccer team is getting in on things, with Star Wars Night at their Saturday game (6:30pm) including a Grogu bobblehead giveaway.
Swag:
The exhibit floor can be an overwhelming place, but don’t miss the massive Star Wars booth right in the middle (#2913). There’s always recent props and costumes on display and it also hosts its own Her Universe and RSVLTS shops and other licensed vendors.
Publishers Chronicle Books (#1508) and Insight Editions (#2129) offer author signings throughout the con.
And of course you can’t go a row without seeing something Star Wars. There will be Funkos (timeslots only available through the exclusives lottery), LEGO sets, and of course comics. There’s always a con exclusive card for the Star Wars: Unlimited game. Artists Alley will have your favorite fan art. And there’s undoubtedly something from a galaxy far, far away at the Butts on Things booth (#4523)!
Games:
Over in the Marriott, the game room (Pacifica 20) hosts Star Wars: Unlimited from 10am-10pm (until 4pm on Sunday) and includes both learn to play and tournament areas. On the mezzanine (room 15AB), you can join a round of the awesome Star Tours-based game from 10am-6pm (until 4pm on Sunday).
Thursday panels:
Star Wars favorites Ahmed Best and Seth Green will be on a panel called Malcolm and Friends hosted by actor Malcolm Barrett (12:30pm in room 6A).
Heroes After the Uniform: Veterans, Comics, and the Stories That Help Us Reclaim Ourselves (3:30pm in room 26AB) includes voice actor Christopher Sean from Resistance and Visions.
Thematic Tunes from Star Wars to Pokémon (4:15pm in room 6A) includes Kevin, Deana, and Sean Kiner who have composed themes for countless Star Wars projects.
The Her Universe Fashion Show is always worth the trek to the Manchester Grand Hyatt (6pm, though tickets are handed out earlier in the day). Ashley Eckstein hosts, of course.
As part of the International Film Festival, there will be a screening and panel of Halcyon Daze: The Final Voyages of Disney’s Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser at 9:15pm in room Grand 6 at the Marriott.
Friday panels:
Friday is Star Wars Day in room 7AB, so you can’t go wrong by sitting there all day. Here’s the panels for just that room, starting at 10am and ending at 10pm!
Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away . . .
Lucasfilm: High End Star Wars Collectibles
A Galaxy of Star Wars Comics from Mad Cave Studios and Lucasfilm Publishing
Star Wars Books from Random House Worlds
Hasbro Star Wars Panel
That gets us all the way to 3pm, when Craig Miller shares his “Star Wars Memories: The Early Days of Star Wars, SDCC, and Fandom” panel which I caught some of at WonderCon and really enjoyed.
Making of Star Wars: The Experience and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: What’s New on Batuu? are up next. Amazingly, after those two cool panels comes one that I’m on! James Floyd, author of Star Wars Crosswords Puzzles, takes us on a journey to filming sites with Star Wars Tourism: Visiting the Galaxy Far, Far Away on Earth We’ll share pictures and stories of our visits to places from Death Valley to Ireland!
Wrapping up the day in room 7AB is The 501st Legion: Star Wars Villainous Costuming, the Mando Mercs panel By Creed, Not Blood, and then the always enjoyable Star Wars Trivia Party!
And while it’s obviously not official Star Wars, Spaceballs: The Comic-Con Panel seems relevant to a fan’s interests and is going to be epic! It’s in Hall H (so prepare to wait in line) at 4pm).
Worth mentioning is the Spotlight on Jim Cummings panel, which I enjoyed at WonderCon. He voices Hondo Ohnaka and many other favorite animated characters and is full of great stories (5:45pm in room 6BCF).
And we’re only halfway through the schedule!
Saturday panels:
HypeFriend! Podcast with Ashley Eckstein and Michael James Scott (1pm in room 29AB) also comes with an autograph session.
Comixology: Sci-Fi Comics and Beyond (2:30pm in room 5AB) features comics writer Marc Guggenheim.
Bringing Star Wars Zero Company to Life: Meet the Cast Behind the Highly Anticipated Tactical Star Wars Game at 4pm in room 6BCF is definitely something I want to check out.
The Hillywood Show: A Star Wars Parody Panel (6:45pm in room 6A) sounds like good fun and also comes with autograph signings.
Grogu’s World: The Science Behind The Mandalorian in room 5AB at 7:30pm is going to be amazing. Sure, I know the folks at the Fleet Science Center who set up this panel of rockstar scientists, but it’s genuinely going to be a lot of fun. Who doesn’t want to know what Grogu’s first words will sound like or learn more about the animals from the Dejarik tournament?!
And there’s always the gorgeous spectacle of the Masquerade, taking place in Ballroom 20 from 8:30-11pm, which will undoubtedly include incredible Star Wars cosplay.
Sunday panels:
Join me and a room of scientists to ask your pop culture questions at the Mixer for Science-Minded Geeks in the Marina D ballroom of the Marriott. It’s a joint effort of the Star Warsologies podcast and Cosplay for Science team. We love talking about real science in sci-fi and fantasy properties!
No Girls Allowed: Female Artists Who Work Within the Star Wars Universe includes badasses from the Lucasfilm and Star Wars realms to push back against gatekeeping in the fandom. This room will fill up (Grand 12/13 of Marriott Marquis at 11am)!
Comic-Con Museum: Bringing the Popular Arts to Balboa Park (11:30am in room 25ABC) should have fun insights about the museum and its upcoming programs and exhibits. Co-hosted by Ashley Eckstein!
As I mentioned, there’s dozens more panels with Star Wars creatives on them, make sure to do a quick search so you don’t miss seeing your favorites! Topics include fencing, female storytellers, masculinity, and even two sessions of hands-on drawing skills in the “how to” room (room 3 at 11am Friday and 10am Sunday).
