The Comic-Con Museum in San Diego is a permanent exhibition and love letter to all things nerd, geek, dweeb and pop culture. We were invited for a hosted visit during our recent trip to San Diego Comic-Con and were surprised to find a perfect companion activity to the busy SDCC experience. This year, the nerd-run exhibition includes displays celebrating Doctor Who and other fandoms including the worlds kawaii, luchadores, and more.

Here’s a look at everything you can expect to see at the Comic-Con Museum for a limited time.

What to Expect

There are three floors full of exhibits, artwork, immersive displays to enjoy. You can find the U.S. premiere of the “Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder” exhibition, which explores the science behind the iconic series through original props, a Monster Vault, and all 17 Doctors’ costumes. The museum also celebrates two decades of tokidoki’s vibrant pop-art evolution plus the storied history and colorful masks of Mexican Lucha Libre and a nostalgic 40-year journey through the “Luann” comic strip.

Plus, to make things interesting, the museum curates scavenger hunts that you can take with you as you explore the exhibition. It will make you stop to really take in the displays and is a fun way to keep young ones engaged. Plus, everyone knows the way to any Comic-Con goer’s heart is FREE SWAG and yes there’s a prize for completing the free activity! We got a Star Wars poster as our reward the last time we did it.

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Twenty Years of Kawaii & Chaos

A celebration of Japanese-inspired pop culture art and lifestyle brand tokidoki with its first ever museum exhibit

  • Italian brand tokidoki’s evolution since its founding in 2005, complete with pieces from collaborations with notable brands including Godzilla, Hello Kitty, and Marvel; co-founder and artist Simone Legno’s original fine art
  • A handful of its criminally-cute and larger-than-life characters spread about as giant photo ops.
  • There are hundreds of items on display – and even more in the Museum’s shop.

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Sangre, Sudor y Mito: The Art and Tradition of Mexican Lucha Libre

Created exclusively for Comic-Con Museum in collaboration with the Museo de La Lucha Libre Mexicana and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, this exhibit breathes life into decades of stories from lucha libre’s history.

  • Match-worn costumes, championship belts, authentic masks spanning decades of history and culture
  • Photographs and videos capturing iconic in-ring moments that had the crowds roaring

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Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction

Created by BBC Studios and Sarner, this exhibit has landed in the U.S. for the first time, making it a must-see for Doctor Who fans of all generations.

  • Find a vast array of original props and sets, a TARDIS Tech Room to explore the Doctor’s gadgets and gizmos
  • A Monster Vault full of the Doctor’s most frightening foes, viewers can discover the stories and science behind the world’s longest-running science fiction show.
  • See all 17 of the Doctor’s costumes on display

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More to Explore

A fun display promoting TCM & Julien’s Echoes from the Galaxy Memorabilia Exhibit and Auction featured small but might collection of relics from a galaxy far, far away. The year round exhibit of cosplay is also available on the lower level and a fun treat to enjoy the creativity and nerdom rolled into one.

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See it for Yourself

Comic-Con Museum (2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego CA 92101) is open most days from 10am to 5pm; closed Wednesdays. Visit their website for the latest details.

Tickets for Comic-Con Museum range in price from $15 for children to $30 for adults.

MORE INFO: See all MouseInfo coverage for San Diego Comic-Con at mouseinfo.com/sdcc

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