One of the best things about San Diego Comic-Con is that you don’t need a badge to soak up the SDCC spirit. The convention overflowed beyond the convention center with immersive, themed activations that were free, interactive, and in many cases, better than some in-hall panels. There are so many to attend, I did my best to hit as many as I could. From mutant clowns and post-apocalyptic bumper cars to backyard BBQs and alien crash sites, here’s a breakdown of the best activations and why each one was a hit.

Abbott Elementary Block Party Activation

My favorite Activation goes to the Abbott Elementary Block Party! Designed as a Philly-style schoolyard hangout, it perfectly mirrored the spirit of the show: fun, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in community. Guests were treated to free rides (yes, an actual mini Ferris wheel!), Rita’s Italian Ice to beat the heat, a cartoon-style photo op that dropped you straight into the world of Abbott. But the real highlight? The giveaways. You could choose from a custom tote bag or bucket hat and enamle pins designed as the characters from the show!

Hulu’s “King of the Hill: Hank Hill’s Backyard BBQ” Activation

Hulu recreated Hank Hill’s iconic backyard right down to the propane grill and Alamo (Water) cans. Guests played classic lawn games, decorated custom hats with patches featuring quotes and locations from the show, and enjoyed real BBQ (I grabbed a breakfast taco). Fans could also win themed aprons and koozies by participating in fun backyard contests. For photo ops, attendees posed in front of Dale’s van and Luanne’s hair salon, completing the full Arlen experience.

Paramount+ “The Lodge”

The Paramount+ Lodge is always one of my favorite Activations since it joined the festivities. Inside “The Lodge,” fans were able to walk through immersive, show-specific rooms inspired by Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Landman, Dexter, NCIS, and more. Each space felt like a mini set tour crossed with an interactive museum, complete with atmospheric lighting, props, and storytelling elements that brought each series to life. Attendees also scored swag ranging from two free drinks to Dexter’s iconic blood-splatter towels, mugs, food samples, and high-quality photo ops!

The Percy Jackson Experience: Journey into the Sea of Monsters

The Percy Jackson Experience at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 was one of the most immersive and thoughtfully crafted offsite activations of the weekend. Disney+ invited fans into a Sea of Monsters-themed diner where they walked through “the Mist” and were theatrically “claimed” by a Greek god. Inside, dramatic effects like crashing tentacles and stormy windows brought the world of Percy Jackson to life, while characters like the Gray Sisters helped guests trade mythical drachma for exclusive merchandise. For fans of the series it was a highlight of Comic-Con that truly made you feel like part of the demigod world.

HBO Max’s “PeaceFest” (Peacemaker)

From Hairmetal, Arizona Hard Tea, a photo-op with a Bald Eagle, and playing Mortal Kombat 1 as Peacemaker, this activation was a retro fever dream. Based on Peacemaker, fans explored Harcourt’s KO Corner (boxing fun), Vigilante’s Merch Shop, and even tried the Quantum Unfolding Chamber. There were costume contests, themed cocktails, and even live music that had people dancing outside in full cosplay.

Brawl Stars Starr Park

The Brawl Stars Starr Park activation at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 had fans whisked onto the deceptively calm “Starr Rail” ride, which hilariously derailed into animated mayhem. Inside Starr Park, guests played carnival-style mini-games like Mike’s Mine, Frank’s Hammer Drop, Piper’s Pie Shop, and more, collecting gem tokens to redeem exclusive Brawl Stars swag, including posters, pins, and even themed loafers. Fans could also spin a prize wheel, and snap photos in fully themed sets. The event also featured a collaboration with Feastables, giving out 20,000 limited-edition chocolate bars with in-game codes.

Peacock’s “Twisted Metal: Bumper Battle”

Peacock transformed a city lot into a post-apocalyptic bumper car arena, themed after Twisted Metal. Guests could ride customized bumper cars styled like characters’ vehicles (yes, including Sweet Tooth’s ice cream truck), sing Karaoke while waiting in line, and take photos in dystopian crash scenes, as well as interactive characters. The vibe was edgy and high-octane, just like a live-action game world.

Shudder/AMC+ “Clown in a Cornfield Maze”

This maze was the sleeper hit of SDCC. Guests entered a full-scale maze themed around Clown in a Cornfield, where they had to outwit and outrun the terrifying Frendo the Clown. Each twist and turn delivered intense jump scares, cinematic props, and immersive set design. Survivors were rewarded with a themed “Survivors’ Party” offering snacks, drinks, and perfect photo ops. Compared to many traditional haunted attractions, this activation delivered a higher level of storytelling and tension. Take notes.

Old Spice x Superman “AR Crash Site”

If you’ve ever been to a convention, you know there’s sometimes… a distinct aroma. That’s why the boldest and most brilliantly on-brand activation goes to Old Spice and its partnership with Superman. This clever setup dropped fans into a Kryptonian crash site. Attendees walked away not only with themed Old Spice products, but also with one of the most unexpectedly fun experiences of the weekend. This activation was smart, fresh, and perfectly executed, as well as a superpowered way to fight con funk.

FX’s “Alien: Earth – Wreckage & Code Red”

Previously, the FX Activation celebrates all the shows that the network has to offer. This year, the network souly focued on their new series, Alien: Earth. By day, this was a high-concept archaeological dig around the crash of the USCSS Maginot. By night, it transformed into Code Red. Which was a scary, red-lit, fully interactive horror scenario complete with flashing sirens and an alien hunt. The transformation from day to night gave this activation serious rewatch/replay value.

“UNIT’s Black Archive” (Doctor Who)

Doctor Who fans were probably disappointed at the lack of Hall H panel for the series this year (especially after the most recent finale!) but this activation was a great way to engage Whovians in San Diego. Fans visiting the Black Archive got recruited into UNIT and put on a secret mission to help the Doctor and save the planet. The experience was similar to an escape room, where you have to find clues amidst the chaos and move on to the next step. This was also the best activation for series Easter eggs by far. No matter where you looked, it felt like there was always more to see.

Marvel’s “Thunderbolts Treatz Truck”

This mobile snack station promoted Thunderbolts with free frozen treats! With a fun photo-op and multiple, delicious Ice creams to choose from it was fun and brand-consistent.