When is Comic-Con 2016?

San Diego Comic-Con 2016 is just around the corner. Learn when it’s all happening.

The 49th annual San Diego Comic-Con (or San Diego Comic-Con International, to give it its proper name) is kicking off in a few short days at the San Diego Convention Center, plus satellite locations. Here’s what you need to know about the schedule.

Preview Night

Officially, Comic-Con lasts from Thursday, July 21 through Sunday, July 24. However, the Con actually opens to fans on Wednesday, July 20 with Preview Night. According to the official Comic-Con website, the doors open on preview night at 6:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. Somewhat confusedly, the first program on Wednesday—Teaching with Comics: An Interactive Workshop for Educators—is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. We’re sure it’ll make sense in context.

Day 1

The first official day of San Diego Comic-Con 2016 starts at 9:30 a.m. and runs through 7:00 p.m., although some programs go on further into the night. On Thursday, you can see Chris Hardwick host the Nerdist podcast, get instructed in dress-up with Cosplay 101, attend something called The Simpsons and Spongebob Smile Time Hour, and dozens more.

Day 2

Friday hours are the same as Thursday hours: 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., although programs keep running for a good while afterward. Friday will see panels with the cast and crew of shows like Scream Queens, Robot Chicken, The Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, and many more

Day 3

The hours for Day 3 are the same as they are for days 1 and 2. The panel blitz continues with focus of shows like Once Upon a Time, The Simpsons, The Vampire Diaries, among many, many, many other panels. It’s a smorgasbord.

Day 4

The final day of the convention is a little shorter. On Sunday, the doors still open at 9:00 a.m., but they close at 5:00 p.m. What’s happening on Sunday? Panels. Tons of them. That’s what’s happening.

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On that subject, note that seating for programs is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If a room is filled capacity and you arrive late, you probably won’t be let in. So before you head to the Con, remember two things: 1) have the time of your life; and 2) practice effective time management.