Silicon Valley Comic Con Family Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Silicon Valley Comic Con

How to describe the SVCC? Imagine the Woz inviting 60,000 of his coolest friends to come to downtown San Jose for a 3 day party celebrating science, sci-fi, tech, nerdiness so far off the charts as to be immeasurable, and just plain fun?

This year the party is scheduled for Aug 16 – 18, 2019 , Fri: 12 PM – 7 PM, Sat: 10 AM – 7 PM, Sun: 10 AM – 5 PM

Silicon Valley Comic Con Terminator actors

Silicon Valley Comic Con Guests

Here is a very short list of some of the guests scheduled to appear at the 2019 Comic Con

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • Jaosn Mamoa
  • Anson Mount (Best known as Captain Christopher Pike in Star Trek: Discovery)
  • Morena Baccarin (Deadpool, Gotham, Firefly, and Stargate SG-1.)
  • Robert Patric (Terminator, X-Files, and Sons of Anarchy)
  • James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter Films)
  • Will Wright (game designer and creator of The Sims, SimCity and Spore.)
  • Jason Lederman (Associate Producer, Popular Science)
  • Dr. Yvonne Cagle (Astronaut and an advisor for NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program)

For a complete list, visit the Silicon Valley Comic site. [LINK]

Silicon Valley Comic Con Featured Family Fun

Here is a list of events and attractions specifically for families at the Comic Con.

  • Mars Curiosity Rover model on display at NASA’s booth at Silicon Valley Comic Con.
  • First ever blood drive.  All donors will receive a custom, complimentary SVCC t-shirt.  You can just drop in or make an appointment now. [LINK]
  • Annual Kids Science Fair : Saturday August 17, 2019 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Level 1 of the Convention Center.
  • Geek Fashion Show: Room 220BC  Sunday August 18, 2019 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
  • Family Cosplay – Cosplaying with Kids:  Room LL21AB  Sunday August 18, 2019, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
  • Harry Potter Trivia Challenge (O.W.L. Exams): Room 114 Sunday August 18, 2019, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

SVCC also offers a STEM lab and a Kids’ Zone and NASA’s floor exhibition, including the Mars Curiosity Rover model, jet packs, VR/AR, self-driving cars, and future cities. Dr. Yvonne Cagle (Astronaut and an advisor for NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program) is scheduled for a guest appearance.

Besides the celebrities and panels, the Expo offers a great time to meet and greet artists, purchase show and comic merchandise, beautiful crafts, jewelry and books.

Purchase Your Tickets in Advance

In 2015, the Silicon Valley Comic Con, broke attendance records at the San Jose Convention Center, so get your tickets in advance and get in on the fun as soon as possible. [LINK]

What Else is there to do in Downtown San Jose:

Take a break at the Tech Interactive (use Discover and Go for a discount).  Check out the BodyWorlds Decoded and the IMAX Theater.  If you just want a short break, take your kids to the kinetic sculpture outside the Tech.  The sculpture is so large it uses billiard balls. If money is tight, use Open Access for free admission to the galleries.

Visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.  Ask for an information pamphlet at the Reference Desk.  Spend some time looking for Alice in Wonderland door (in the elevators) and the Wise Cracks window.

Children’s Discovery Museum:  Get for kids ages 4-10.

Plaza de Ceasar Chavez: Several events from the SVCC will be held at the park.  If it is a hot day, the fountain may be on for cooling off.

Spaces VR at Oakridge Mall: Straight shot down the 87 freeway to Santa Teresa.  Spaces VR is in the Century 20 movie theater.  Summer special of $19.99 per player.   See the Terminator, be a Terminator! https://cinemark.com/spaces

Off The Couch Games (Santa Clara) just off the 101 freeway, 15 minutes from downtown.  Virtual reality + Escape Room = great fun! www.offthecouchgames.com

Silicon Valley Comic Con In a nutshell:

Silicon Valley Comic Con, August 16-18, 2018
Friday, August 16, 2019 12 pm – 7 pm| Schedule link
Saturday, August 17, 2019 10 am – 7 pm| Schedule link
Sunday, August 18, 2019 10 am – 5 pm| Schedule link

Admission: $20- $50 for single day passes. $39 – $99 for 3 day passes. Discounted tickets available for Seniors and Military.

Admission tickets include admission to the expo and panels, not the photo and autograph ops.  Purchase these tickets in advance to ensure your place in line and availability. [LINK]

Venues/Locations: 

The Comic Com will hold events in the
San Jose Convention Center
San Jose Civic (Auditorium)
San Jose Convention Center South Hall
Plaza de Cesar Chavez (Cesar Chavez Park)

Parking
Use public transportation if possible, but here are other suggestions.

San Jose Parking (interactive map and info). [LINK]
Woz/87 Lot: Address: 180 Woz Way under Hwy. 87, south of Auzerais
Peggy Sue’s: 185 Park Ave, Free parking validation with a meal. (Weekends only). [LINK]

#SVCC www.svcomiccon.com

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