UK and Irish Comic Conventions – Rolling List

This is the downthetubes  “rolling list” of major British and Irish comic events, intended as a quick guide to “What’s On”. Follow the links to event web sites for fuller details.

Last Updated: Thursday 19th September 2019. Thank you to everyone who has supplied information and apologies if I haven’t added your event yet

Please do also check out our Events News and Exhibition News news streams

As ever, information is welcome: here’s how to contact us. If you don’t see your date added to this list, please re-send the information as it’s entirely possible, given the huge amount of email received, that we’ve missed it first time around – sorry!

Also, if you’re going to send events information, check the links in your mail actually work… I’ve had more than one organiser who’s sent me information with dead web links recently.

Please do not assume we will see a convention announcement on Facebook, Twitter or other social media.

Where no date is listed, we have where possible based an event’s dates within the usual month they take place each year.

• If you’re looking for hotel accommodation near your comics event, why not give Booking.com a try? (affiliate link)

2019 EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 2019

 

Aylesbury Geeky-Con XL is back for its third year, with a host of new guests with displays of film and tv, props, merchandise, gaming, cosplay, comic artists, and much much more – with a few surprises along the way.

Coastal Comic Con, Bournemouth 2019
Saturday, 28 September 2019
The Royal Bath Hotel, Bath Road, Bournemouth BH1 2EW
• More information on Facebook

Coastal Comic Con is a community driven celebration of pop culture, coming to Bournemouth in 2019. From comics to cosplay, gaming, film and television, there’s something for everyone – a fantastic, fun-filled day that the whole family can enjoy.

NOR-CON 9
Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th September 2019
Norwich Showground Indoor Arena, Norwich NR5 0TT
Web: www.nor-con.co.uk

The ninth annual event, which has previously attracted up to 8,000 visitors. NOR-CON was voted one of the top 10 Comic Cons in the UK by The List, the guide to arts and entertainment in the UK.

Wyntercon VI
Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th September 2019
Eastbourne Sports Park
Web: www.wyntercon.org

Wyntercon is a not-for-profit CIO – a charitable incorporated organisation. They support and encourage those from underprivileged backgrounds to thrive within the creative sector and be part of their local community. The team are passionate about providing a platform for people to discover their skills and passions by giving them the confidence through the worlds of sci-fi & fantasy.

Commando and British Comics Swap-Meet
10.00 – 5.00pm, Saturday 28th September 2019
79th Bushey & Oxhey Scout Group Headquarters, Park Avenue, Bushey, Watford, WD23 2BA

Comic guests include artists Martin Baines and Mike Dorey, writer Alan Hebden and editor and author Steve MacManus.

Tables: £7.50 for the day (all table proceeds will be donated to the Scout group, which has allowed the venue to be held in their headquarters) | Entry:- £1.00 Adults / Children Free | Facebook Event Page

OCTOBER 2019

Bristol Comics and Zine Fair
Date TBC (Usually early October)
Web: https://bczf.co.uk/

Leamington Comic Con 2019
5th October 2019

Leamington Comic Con returns in 2019. The team have moved back to their old October spot on Saturday 5th October 2019 and we promise to give you more comics and creativity than ever before!

They team have been busy behind the scenes and confirmed a number of awesome mainstream comics guests already, which they’ll be announcing over the coming weeks and months.

Web: https://www.facebook.com/events/271848377002793/?ti=icl

Northwich Comic Con
10.00am – 4.00pm, Saturday 5th October 2019, Northwich Memorial Court Chester Way Northwich CW9 5Q in Northwich
Facebook | Buy Tickets

Northwich Comic Con returns for its next instalment of Geekiness. Guests, Star Cars, Characters, Cosplay, Props/Displays and Stalls

Lakes International Comics Art Festival 2019
11th – 13th October 2018
Kendal

Guests: Charlie Adlard, Paolo Bacilieri, Serge Baeken, Comics Laureate Hannah Berry, Charles Brownstein, Laurence Campbell, Kate Charlesworth, Becky Cloonan, Darren Cullen, Darryl Cunningham, Rob Davis, Robert Deas, Francis Desharnais, Garth Ennis, Ephameron, Duncan Fegredo, Loic Gaume, Ben Gijsemans, Árni Beck Gunnarsson, Jibé, Taina Hakala, Rikke Hollænder, Milena Huhta, ILYA, Marc Jackson, Lars Jakobsen, Staz Johnson, Sally Kindberg, Lisa Krusmaagi, Valentine Laffitte, Michael Lark, David Leach, Pascal Lemaitre, Lee Loughridge, Luke McGarry, Steve McGarry, John McCrea, Junko Mizuno, Søren Mosdal, Bruce Mutard, Benoit Peeters, Jacob Phillips, Arthur de Pins, Emma Price, Kristina Ricken, Julie Rocheleau, Rune Ryberg, Marine Schneider, Declan Shalvey, Joonas Sildre, Simon Spurrier, Lucy Sullivan, Bryan Talbot, Mary Talbot, Veiko Tammjarv, Edward Taylor, Kurly Tlapoyawa, Alessandro Tota, Fabien Toulme, Judith Vanistendael, Joris Vermassen, Nicolas Wild and Rob Williams

Want to receive news about the Lakes International Comic Art Festival? Then sign up for the newsletter now | More about the Festival at www.comicartfestival.com
Web: www.comicartfestival.com

If you are looking for accommodation over the weekend, then here are some starting points: the “Explore South Lakeland” web site |  AirBnB (11th – 13th October 2019 Search Results) |

It’s also worth looking further afield and, perhaps coming into town by public transport or car. Here’s some information via TripAdvisor

Comic Con Scotland
9.00am til 6.00pm (last entry 4.00pm), Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th October 2019, Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh
Web: www.comicconventionscotland.co.uk | Buy Tickets

Comic Con Scotland heads to the Royal Highland Centre in October – brought to you by the Monopoly Events team.

The Ghost Comics Festival 2019
Saturday 26th October 2019, The Art Gallery, 20 Scott Street, G3 6PE
Web: www.ghostcomicsfestival.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Nottingham Comic Convention 2019
Saturday 19th October 2019
Web: www.nottinghamcomiccon.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2019

Thought Bubble Festival 2019
Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate
9th-10th November 2019
Web: www.thoughtbubblefestival.com

Thought Bubble has announced major changes for its Festival later this year, moving the event from Leeds to Harrogate – a Yorkshire spa town famous for Betty’s Tea Rooms and RHS Harlow Carr Gardens.

Guests include:  Charlie Adlard, Choo, Dong, Lee Garbett, Kieron Gillen, Jock, Mildred Louis, Mick McMahon, Jamie Mckelvie, Megan Nicole, Rosemary Valero-O’Connell, Pernille Ørum, Jillian Tamaki, Spike Trotman, John Wagner, Kyle T. Webster and Matt Wilson

BGCP Kilmarnock
16th November 2019
10.00 – 5.00pm The Grand Hall, 1 London Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 7AA
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com | Tickets

ECAF: Edinburgh Comic Art Festival 2019
Edinburgh
Date TBC (November) – Part of Book Week Scotland
Web: http://www.comicartfestival.co.uk

2020 EVENTS

True Believers Comic Festival 2020
Saturday 1st February 2020
Jury’s Inn, Cheltenham
Head to www.oktruebelievers.com for the latest news

MARCH 2020

Liverpool Comic Con 2020
6th – 8th March 2020
Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Kings Dock, Liverpool L3 4FP
Web: liverpoolcc.co.uk

London Book Fair 2020
10th -12th March
Olympia, London
Web: www.londonbookfair.co.uk

Yes – we know this isn’t, technically, a comic convention – but many publishers will be at this event.

ICE Brighton 2020
Usually March
Web: https://brightoncomicexpo.wordpress.com

Carlisle Comic Con 2020
Usually March
More details here on Facebook

Bath Comic-Con 2020
Usually March – Facebook

Dunfermline Comic Con 2020
Usually Late March
Facebook

Medway Comic and Screen Festival 2020
Usually late March
Medway Park
Web: www.zukesmedianetwork.co.uk

South Ribble Comic Con 2020
Usually Late March
Web: facebook.com/events/254569628737814

Cardiff Film and Comic Con 2020
Usually March
Web: www.filmandcomicconcardiff.com

Dublin Comic Con – Spring Edition
Usually March
Web: www.dublincomiccon.com | Twitter | Facebook

Meet a host of Comic creators, international cosplayers, SFX Industry pros, artists, fans and professionals all coming together for a weekend of talks, workshops, demos, interactive activities and all around great family fun with some amazing guests, panels, cosplay and more.

APRIL 2020

Swansea Comic and Gaming Convention 2020
4th April 2020
Web: http://scgc.org.uk

Edinburgh Comic Con 2020
11th April 2020

A weekend of madness from the world of film and TV, comic books, gaming, cosplay and much more. Tickets from www.heroconventions.com

Morecambe Comic Con 2020
13th April 2020
The Platform, Station Buildings, Marine Road Central, Morecambe LA4 4DB
Facebook: morecambecomiccon | Buy Tickets

Somerset Comicon 2020
Usually mid April
Web: www.mooseeventsuk.com | Facebook

Stoke Con Trent 2020
Usually mid April

Dee-Con 2020
Usually mid April
DeeCon is Dundee’s biggest event covering anime, comics, gaming, and cosplay.
Facebook

Manchester Comic Fest 2020
Usually late April

MAY 2020

Portsmouth Comic Con 2020
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2020
Portsmouth Guildhall
Web: www.portsmouthcomiccon.com

Tickets for this event are on sale now, with a Super Early Bird discount for those who buy tickets before 31st October.

Tickets on sale from portsmouthcomiccon.com or 0844 847 2362 (calls cost 7p per minute + network access charge). The first x100 people to buy tickets will be entered in a prize draw to win a super prize of comics and merchandise

Free Comic Book Day – 2nd May 2020
For details of events in your local comic shop visit www.freecomicbookday.com
Search for participating stores outside the United States at www.freecomicbookday.com/StoreLocator?StartIntl

Free Comic Book Day is an annual event founded on the belief that for every person out there, there’s a comic book they’ll love. Every year, on the first Saturday in May, the industry comes together to give away free comics and encourage fans, both old and new, to flock to the best place in the comic book community: local comic shops. These are the hubs of our community, where fans can come together and discover new comics, make lifelong friends, and find a sense of commonality.

Major US publishers such as DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, and Image Comics – and the UK’s 2000AD and Titan Comics, too – put out free comics for fans to enjoy at the more than 2,300 local comic shops that participate in Free Comic Book Day.

The diverse range of titles available each year proves that there’s truly a book for everyone: from superheroes, to popular film and television shows, to beloved video games, and all-ages tales. Popular series available in the past include Pokemon, Doctor Who, SpongeBob, Riverdale, Overwatch and Star Wars.  

Graphic Brighton Symposium
Usually May
University of Brighton City Campus, 58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton BN2 0JY
Web: graphicbrighton.wordpress.com

There will be an eventbrite sign up for workshops closer to the date, once the schedule for the two days is finalised

BGCP East Kilbride Comic Con 2019
Usually May
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

Enniskillen Comic Fest 2020
Usually May
Facebook: https://facebook.com/EnniskillenComicFest

Oldham Comic Con 4
Saturday 16th May 2020, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham
• Facebook Event page

Oldham Comic Con is back once again this time for its for its fourth year and yes it’s still free!

Announced guests include Marvel artist Nuno Plati, Batman artist Miguel Mendonça, comic book artist and architect Alison Sampson.

Join a day of celebrating those who have drawn, written and published your favourite monsters, mutants and marvels. Come down and discover new comics, art, and the fabulous people behind them.

As always, Oldham Comic Con encourage attendees to dress up – but it’s not required. This event is great for families and fans, new and old – all you need is a passion or curiosity for comics.

Bookbug Week
Various events across Scotland – Usually May – More info here online

BGCP Comic Con: Ayr
Usually May
Citadel, Ayr
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

Lawless 2020
Usually May
Web: lawlesscomiccon.co.uk

Lawless Comic Convention is a British based not for profit comic convention organised by fans and for fans.

BGCP Loch Lomond 2020
Usually May
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

Yorkshire Cosplay Con 2020
Usually May
Web: www.yorkshirecosplayconvention.co.uk

MCM Comic Expo London 2020
Usually May
Web: www.mcmcomiccon.com/london

BGCP Stirling 2020
Usually May
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

A Splendid Day Out – Steamageddon
Usually End of May
The Platform, Station Buildings, Marine Road Central, Morecambe LA4 4DB
Web and tickets: www.asplendiddayout.com

JUNE 2020

Moniaive Comic Festival
Usually June – note the 2019 event was cancelled
Moniave, Scotland

Comics Salopia 2020
Mostly free entry
Web: comicssalopia.com | Facebook

Events will take place in a number of venues including the Castle Grounds, The Museum & Art Gallery, The Dana Prison, The Town Square, Shrewsbury Library and the Guildhall University Building.

Organised by Shane Chebsey,  with support from the local council, businesses and Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, this Festival will raise funds for co-organiser and local councillor Jane Mackenzie’s new charity Share Shrewsbury, which helps people of all ages affected by addiction.

Web: https://comicssalopia.com

Comic Con Manchester 2020
Usually June
Web: www.comicconventionmanchester.co.uk

Leeds Unleashed 2020
Usually June
Facebook

ELCAF 2020
Usually June _ London
Web: http://elcaf.co.uk

BGCP Rothes Comic Con 2020
Usually June
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

Milton Keynes Film and Comic Con 2020
Usually June
Web: www.centralexhibitions.co.uk/mk-film-and-comic-con/mk-film-and-comic-con/

Scunthorpe Comic Con 2020 –  Usually June

Macc Pow 2020 – Usually June
Web: http://www.maccpow.co.uk

Glasgow Comic Con 2020 – Usually June
Website: www.glasgowcomiccon.com | Buy Tickets
Twitter: @glasgowcomiccon | Facebook: glasgowcomiccon

Comic Con World – Blackpool – Usually June
Web: www.comicconworld.co.uk | Facebook

JULY 2020

Small Press Day 2020
Usually July
Web: smallpressday.co.uk | 2019 Events Listing

Events around the UK in local comic shops and other venues, promoting independent comic press and micro publishers.

In 2016 an idea born on Twitter led to a series of nationwide events in a matter of weeks. The inaugural Small Press Day – a celebratory event designed to spotlight the possibilities of small press publishing and to introduce its practitioners to the far wider audience they deserve – proved to be a phenomenal success. No less than 25 events championing the small press were held across the UK and Ireland on the same day in July – including shop signings, fairs, panels and workshops – resulting in #SmallPressDay to trend throughout.

Building on this trend, hundreds and hundreds joined in for Small Press Day 2017 and Small Press Day 2018 and met with the next generation of superstar comic creators, zine makers, and DIY micro publishers.

The team behind this annual celebration made Small Press Day 2019 bigger, better, and bolder.

St Albans Comic-Con 2020
10.00 – 4.30pm Sunday 19th July Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre, St. Albans
Web: www.creedconventions.com/st-albans-comic-con

Melton Mowbray Comic Con 2020
Saturday 20th July 2019
Pera Business Park, Melton Mowbray
Web: www.savagebeastonline.co.uk/melton

Offering a variety of geeky attractions for a day of family fun and festivities.

Salisbury Geekmania – usually July
• Details on Facebook

Yor-Kon York Comic Con Toy and Collector Festival – usually July
• Details here on Facebook

BGCP Hamilton Comic Con – usually July
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

Humber Unleashed – usually July
• Details here on Facebook

BGCP Dunoon 2020
Usually July
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

BGCP Glasgow 2020
Usually July
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com | Admission Free – Details Here

London Film and Comic Con 2020
Usually July
London Olympia
Web: www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com

BGCP Stirling 2020
Usually  July
Web: www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

August 2020

Cornwall Comic Con and Gaming Festival
Usually  August

The Cornwall Comic and Gaming Festival is a family friendly event with traders, props, guest signers, film cars and bikes, gaming from table top to retro consoles to try, cosplayers and professional costumers groups, cosplay competition (UKCGF championships run all year at events they organise with a final). Something for all ages – follow the Facebook event page for updates.

Bournemouth Film and Comic Con 2020
Usually August
Web: http://filmandcomicconsheffield.com

Dublin Comic Con – Summer Edition
Usually August
Web: www.dublincomiccon.com | Twitter | Facebook

Meet a host of Comic creators, international cosplayers, SFX Industry pros, artists, fans and professionals all coming together for a weekend of talks, workshops, demos, interactive activities and all around great family fun with some amazing guests, panels, cosplay and more.

Worcester Comics Festival 2019
Usually August
Web: www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk • More details on Facebook

Glasgow Film and Comic Con 2019
Usually August
Braehead Arena, Glasgow
Web: www.filmandcomicconglasgow.com

Preston Comic Con 2020
Usually August
Facebook: Prestoncomiccon

Warped Con 2020
Usually late August
Doncaster Race Course
Web: warpedcon.com

SEPTEMBER 2020

ICE: International Comic Expo Birmingham 2020
19th September 2020
Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham
Web: https://internationlcomicexpo.wordpress.com | For the latest news visit Facebook or follow ICE on Twitter

• HighVisFest 2020
Usually early September

Cardiff Film and Comic Con
7th – 8th September 2019
Web: www.filmandcomicconcardiff.com

NICE 2020
Usually early September
Web: https://nicecon.co.uk | Facebook: https://facebook.com/niceconvention

Omagh Comic Fest 2020
Usually September
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OmaghComicFest

OCTOBER 2020

Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2020
Mid October
Kendal
Web: www.comicartfestival.com

Comics Events on the Web – Sources

• downthetubes Event Guide | Events News | Exhibition News

• The Convention Collective: http://theconventioncollective.com

• Comic Conventions UK – www.comicconventions.co.uk

• Facebook – Real Comic Conventions We Love

• Comic and Film Fairs hosted by Golden Orbit – Facebook Listing

• MSE Comic Conventions Listing on Facebook

• Comics and other events hosted by Savage Beast – Facebook Listing

• NWCC Events Group on Facebook – North West-based comics events