Departing Dystopia at The Merrow July 20

Departing Dystopia is an interactive, immersive, post-apocalyptic-themed cyberpunk theater-nightclub hybrid featuring displays and performances, including a live musical EDM rendition of Romeo & Juliet. The Hillcrest event will include performance art featuring elements of dance, satire, cabaret, and theater, choreographed with audience participation to a loosely scripted storyline and guided by a narrator-bartender whose tour will be accompanied by audio-visual textures.

The Monsters Ball at Parq Nightclub July 21

Dutch DJ star Sam Feldt headlines this year’s Monsters Ball at Parq downtown, with other performers set to include D-SYFER-IT and DJ Elliot, as well emo/pop-punk tribute band Not A Phase. A haunted forest ballroom with a full-moonlit dance floor will include a glitter booth, hidden creatures, performance artists, and more. The Comic Con-themed event encourages fantasy and monster lore cosplay.

Comic-Con Weekend Bar Crawl in The Gaslamp Quarter July 22

Around 300 guests in cosplay will be roaming downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter for the Comic-Con Bar Crawl, stopping in and out of at least ten bars and nightclubs with one all-access pass, including several with DJ sets and live music performance. Ticket purchase includes a Superhero/Villain Kit with vouchers for welcome-shot tickets at select venues, drink discount coupons, free nightclub entry passes, and a fanciful map to all participating bars, lounges, and nightclubs.

Kirby’s Dream Band at Soda Bar July 22

Founded in 2010, Kirby’s Dream Band specializes in covering video game music. With a half dozen releases to date, including the Meat Loaf spoof Bat Out of HAL, KDB has played at large industry events such as Washington DC’s Music and Gaming Festival (MAGfest) and its west coast incarnation, MAGwest. The band will play a costumed Comic-Con set in City Heights on a bill that includes Eclectotron and Street Cleaner.

Gaslamp Divas Cosplay Comic-Con Drag Show at Casablanca July 23

The Gaslamp Divas will be in full cosplay for a Comic-Con Drag Show in Carlsbad, kicking off at 1pm to coincide with brunch. Performers will bring musical and theatrical flair to beloved cartoon icons from Ms. Marvel to She Hulk. The 18-plus event includes performances from Jessika Kayne, Jimmy Sherfy, Karamia Capri, and TJ Barr.