SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The classic Hasbro game Candy Land is coming to life in San Diego ahead of San Diego Comic-Con 2026. The pop-up experience will be sticking around through the fall with themed food, interactive elements, DIY cookie decorating, exclusive merch, photo ops and more for all ages.
Candy Land was created in San Diego in the 1940s by Eleanor Abbott to help entertain hospitalized children during the Polio epidemic. The game was acquired by Hasbro and revamped in the 80s, and was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2005.
Candy Land game (PHOTO: Bucket Listers and Hasbro)
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The first-ever Candy Land-themed restaurant opens at Bayside Kitchen + Bar in San Diego’s Little Italy on July 9 and runs through San Diego Comic-Con 2026, booking until October 4.
All ages can take part in the fun with board game–inspired bites, winding paths to towering castles, exclusive Candy Land merchandise, DIY cookie decorating and a chocolate “fundu” experience.
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Candy Land Cafe (PHOTO: Bucket Listers and Hasbro)
The menu will feature themed food items like rainbow burgers, chocolate BBQ sliders, over-the-top milkshakes, a shareable “Chocolate River” fondue, and mocktails and cocktails.
Last year, the restaurant transformed into the Malibu Barbie Cafe pop-up experience for San Diego Comic-Con.
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Candy Land Cafe starts at $24.50 per person, which includes 90-minute seating, $10 food credit and $5 merch credit.
Bayside Kitchen + Bar is located at 2137 Pacific Hwy in San Diego. Tickets are available now through Bucket Listers.
Candy Land Cafe (PHOTO: Bucket Listers and Hasbro)
Stay with FOX 5/KUSI for off-site studio activation announcements, booth giveaways and themed pop-ups and cafes that will start showing up across downtown San Diego.
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