San Diego Comic-Con is unlike any other convention. Every year, thousands of fans from around the world gather in San Diego to celebrate comics, film, television, animation, gaming, and pop culture. While attending SDCC is an incredible experience, it also requires planning, patience, and plenty of endurance.
This year, I had the opportunity to attend Preview Night through Sunday, allowing me to experience several days packed with panels, exhibits, outdoor activations, and time on the convention floor. Long lines, early mornings, and very little rest are simply part of the Comic-Con experience—but for many attendees, the memories created make it all worthwhile.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you can’t do everything. With so many events taking place simultaneously, every attendee has to prioritize what matters most. Looking back on this year’s convention, these were some of my personal standout moments.
Preview Night
Preview Night always brings a unique level of excitement as attendees finally step inside the convention after months of anticipation.
My original plan was to experience several outdoor activations, including Percy Jackson, Ebenezer, and Peanuts. Unfortunately, those experiences did not officially open until Thursday afternoon, which meant no one was able to participate on Preview Night. I was honestly surprised by this schedule because it significantly limited the time available to experience these attractions throughout the rest of the convention.
One outdoor experience I was able to enjoy was the Adult Swim activation, where I attended with someone who had press access. It was a fun way to begin the convention and gave me an early opportunity to enjoy some of the creative experiences outside the convention center.
I had also hoped to spend more time exploring the exhibit hall that evening, but like many Comic-Con attendees, I had another priority—Hall H.
Anyone who has attended San Diego Comic-Con knows that if you hope to attend the biggest Hall H presentations, preparation begins the night before. That meant heading to the Hall H line much earlier than I would have preferred in order to prepare for Thursday’s panels.
Thursday – Day One
Thursday officially began my Hall H adventure.
Although I already had a wristband, arriving early was still essential. After waiting nearly three hours, I finally entered Hall H and settled in for an exciting day of presentations.
One of my most anticipated panels was Percy Jackson, where fans received updates and behind-the-scenes discussion about the series. I always appreciate hearing directly from the cast and creative teams because it provides a deeper appreciation for everything that goes into bringing these stories to life.
I also remained in Hall H for:
- Marvel’s Wolverine: Deep Cuts
- Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls – Behind the Battle
- Inside the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Each panel offered something unique—from creative storytelling and animation to filmmaking and artistic inspiration. Listening to writers, producers, artists, and actors share their experiences continues to be one of my favorite parts of attending Comic-Con.
By the end of the day, however, there wasn’t much time to relax.
It was already time to begin preparing for Friday.
Friday – Day Two
Friday became my longest day of the convention.
Once again, it meant an early morning in order to secure my place inside Hall H for another incredible lineup of presentations.
Some of my favorite panels included:
- Prime Video’s Blade Runner 2099
- The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- Lanterns
Each presentation featured engaging conversations with the cast and creative teams, along with exclusive footage and behind-the-scenes insights. I especially enjoy hearing how these projects evolve from an initial idea into the finished production audiences eventually see on screen.
However, Friday wasn’t only about attending panels.
It was also about preparing for Saturday’s Hall H presentations.
For anyone unfamiliar with San Diego Comic-Con, attending Saturday in Hall H requires tremendous commitment. Fans often begin lining up an entire day in advance just to improve their chances of getting inside.
Thankfully, I connected with a Hall H line group that allowed members to rotate shifts throughout the day. Instead of remaining in line continuously for hours, each person took turns holding our place while others attended panels or briefly rested.
By early evening, everyone needed to return to remain with the group. From there, the waiting continued for several more hours before we finally received our coveted Saturday Hall H wristbands.
It was exhausting.
It was challenging.
But it was all part of the San Diego Comic-Con experience.
Saturday – Day Three
If you’re planning to attend San Diego Comic-Con, one piece of advice I can offer is this: bring your patience.
Even after receiving a Hall H wristband the night before, the experience wasn’t over. Attendees still needed to arrive before 6:30 a.m. to secure their place in line for Saturday’s presentations. Once in line, movement was extremely limited, and everyone waited several more hours before the doors finally opened.
After making it inside Hall H, another challenge awaited—you couldn’t leave if you wanted to keep your seat. Thankfully, my husband was able to help by bringing me food that fit my dietary restrictions, which made the long day much more manageable.
Although Friday and Saturday involved a great deal of waiting, I can honestly say the experience was worth it. Hall H is unlike any other venue at Comic-Con. The excitement, anticipation, and energy from thousands of fans create an atmosphere that is difficult to describe unless you’ve experienced it yourself.
That said, I do believe there is room for improvement in managing the Hall H process. With so many attendees hoping to experience these highly anticipated presentations, finding ways to improve accessibility and reduce the lengthy wait times would make the experience even better.
Fortunately, there were several excellent panels throughout the day that made the wait enjoyable, including:
- The Animation Show of Shows: Origin Story
- A Mix of Art in Advertising and Beyond
- Star Trek Universe – Celebrating 60 Years
- Apple TV+ Panel, including an exciting first look at Matchbox
- Entertainment Weekly’s Bold School
Each presentation offered something unique, from storytelling and animation to filmmaking and creative collaboration.
Apple TV – Matchbox panel with John Cena was lots of fun
Marvel Studios Hall H
Without question, one of the biggest highlights of the weekend was the Marvel Studios Hall H Presentation.
The anticipation throughout Hall H was incredible. Fans filled every seat, eagerly awaiting exclusive announcements, surprise guests, and a glimpse into Marvel’s future.
Marvel certainly delivered.
The presentation featured exciting previews, exclusive footage, and major announcements that had the audience cheering throughout the event. Several cast members and filmmakers took the stage, creating unforgettable moments for fans.
One of the biggest surprises was seeing Ryan Gosling introduced in connection with an upcoming Ghost Rider film. The audience erupted with excitement as the announcement was made.
It was also wonderful to see Jon Bernthal, whose portrayal of The Punisher has become a fan favorite, as he discussed his return to the Marvel Universe.
Another exciting reveal was the announcement that Avengers: Endgame will return to theaters with exclusive new footage leading into Avengers: Doomsday. Fans were also treated to additional casting announcements for the highly anticipated film, including the return of Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter.
One announcement that especially caught my attention was the confirmation of Black Panther 3. I appreciated seeing David Jonsson introduced for his new role. His humility and genuine gratitude made the moment especially memorable and demonstrated how meaningful this opportunity was for him.
The excitement throughout Hall H was contagious. Hearing thousands of fans respond together to each announcement reminded me why Comic-Con continues to be one of the most exciting fan events in the world.
I’m already looking forward to seeing many of these projects when they are released and sharing my thoughts with you in future reviews.
Sunday – Day Four
After several days focused on Hall H, Sunday gave me the opportunity to enjoy another favorite part of Comic-Con—the exhibit hall.
With thousands of attendees exploring the convention floor, navigating the aisles required patience, but there was no shortage of creativity to discover.
Exploring the Show Floor
The exhibit hall is one of my favorite places at San Diego Comic-Con because every booth offers something different. From exclusive collectibles and interactive displays to artwork and behind-the-scenes exhibits, there’s always something new waiting around the corner.
Some of my favorite booths this year included:
- Star Wars
- Marvel Studios
- Funko
The Funko booth stood out with its creative displays, immersive experiences, and themed photo opportunities. I also enjoyed meeting Jesse and Leah, who shared some of the creative thought and planning behind their presentation. Hearing directly from the people who help bring these experiences to life made my visit even more meaningful.
I also attended another panel highlighting future projects connected to The Lord of the Rings, which was a wonderful way to conclude my Comic-Con experience.
Final Thoughts
Every year, San Diego Comic-Con reminds me why it remains one of the premier pop culture conventions in the world.
Yes, it requires planning.
Yes, you’ll spend hours waiting in line.
And yes, you’ll probably leave a little tired.
But you’ll also experience unforgettable panels, hear directly from talented creators and actors, discover incredible artwork, and become part of an enthusiastic community that shares a passion for storytelling.
While it’s impossible to see everything Comic-Con has to offer, each year creates memories that make the experience worthwhile.
These were just a few of my standout moments from San Diego Comic-Con 2026, and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to attend.
Have you ever attended San Diego Comic-Con? I’d love to hear about your favorite moments in the comments below!
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