Cosplay events

We love cosplay! Below you can find all the main cosplay events and comic-con dates in the UK for you to enjoy:

Major UK Comic Cons & Cosplay Events:

Event	Date	Location	Description
MCM London Comic Con	22-24 May 2026	ExCeL London	The largest events for cosplayers in the UK. The Cosplay Central Crown Championships final will take place here in May 2026
UK Games Expo	May 29-31, 2026	NEC Birmingham	Heavily featuring tabletop gaming cosplay
AnimeCon UK	June 12-14, 2026	NEC Birmingham	The UK’s largest anime and manga convention
MCM Birmingham Comic Con	August 7-9, 2026	NEC Birmingham	Massive pop culture event with dedicated cosplay spaces
NORCON	September 26-27, 2026	Norfolk Showground Arena	A major event focusing on TV, film, and comics
MCM London Comic Con	October 23-25, 2026	ExCeL London	Meet anime and gaming voice actors, TV and film stars; browse art and literature from independent creators; dress up and enjoy the wonderful cosplay atmosphere!
London Film & Comic Con	postponed to August 2027	Olympia London	Known for its massive cosplay masquerade and professional guests

Cosplay Highlights

Cosplay Hospitals: MCM London provides “Cosplay Hospitals” for repairs, specifically in hall N5 and the Cosplay Central Hub

Regional 2026 Cosplay Events & Cons

Key regional cosplay events include Plymouth Creed Comic Con (May 30), Cornwall Comic Con and Gaming Festival (July 4), and Norwich Anime & Gaming Con (Oct 3). There are also major regional pop-culture gatherings with a strong cosplay emphasis throughout the year in Torquay, Watford, Portsmouth, and Belfast.

Our curated list of regional UK cosplay-friendly events:

Event	Date	Location	Description
Bournemouth Comic-Con	March 28, 2026	Bournemouth International Centre	Creed Conventions event with displays and props; traders selling out of this world collections; celebrities from TV and the movies; a wide array of cosplayers; and cosplay competitions!
Phoenix Fest	April 25-26, 2026	Oxford	A creative family-friendly convention
Chesterfield Comic-Con	May 24, 2026	Queen’s Park Sports Centre	Featuring cosplay, panels, and special guests
Taunton Comic Con and Gaming Festival	May 31, 2026	Wellsprings Leisure Centre	Exhibitors and props; UK based comic artist guests; some film and tv guests; cosplay guests; cosplay and costume groups.
Wincanton Comic Con	June 6, 2026	Wincanton Racecourse	Huge selection of TV and film memorabilia, board games, computer games, comics, Lego, Harry Potter and Japanese Manga items and more available to purchase throughout the weekend; guest line up; cosplay meet ups for characters; cosplay competition; take photos with Doctor Who and Star wars props and backdrops.
Chester Comic Con Mania	June 7, 2026	Chester Racecourse	Cosplay competition and masquerade; retro and current gaming; selection of traders; and plenty of awesome set builds and prop builds from a range of TV shows and films.
Portsmouth Anime & Gaming Con	June 13-14, 2026	Portsmouth Marriott Hotel	Anime, manga and cosplay Video gaming and tabletop gaming Stage events, panels, quizzes and parties Artists, traders and community activities
Birmingham Comic-Con	June 21, 2026	International Convention Centre	Creed Conventions event with displays and props; traders selling out of this world collections; celebrities from TV and the movies; a wide array of cosplayers; and cosplay competitions!
Cornwall Comic Con and Gaming Festival	July 4, 2026	Royal Cornwall Showground	Exhibitors and props; UK based comic artist guests; some film and tv guests; cosplay guests; cosplay and costume groups.
Animezing Con	July 12, 2026	Honeywell Sports Centre, Barnsley	A new anime convention with a day full of exciting performances, activities, and lots of incredible anime vendors
Watford Creed Comic Con	July 18, 2026	Watford Woodside Leisure Centre	Creed Conventions event with displays and props; traders selling out of this world collections; celebrities from TV and the movies; a wide array of cosplayers; and cosplay competitions!
Newcastle Creed Comic Con	July 26, 2026	Sport Central	Creed Conventions event with displays and props; traders selling out of this world collections; celebrities from TV and the movies; a wide array of cosplayers; and cosplay competitions!
Torquay Comic Con	August 2, 2026	Riviera International Centre	Creed Conventions event with displays and props; traders selling out of this world collections; celebrities from TV and the movies; a wide array of cosplayers; and cosplay competitions!
Comic, Movie & Anime Fest	August 16, 2026	Princess Pavilion, Falmouth	Cosplayers, stage performances, games and much more as part of Falmouth Week. Also available in Falmouth that day: thrill-seeking simulator, interactive murder mystery, creative workshops, eclectic markets, army climbing wall and Observation Wheel (a miniature London Eye) at the Maritime Museum.
The Geek Expo	August 29, 2026	Stithians Showground (Cornwall)	Featuring community cosplay, gaming, and artists
Plymouth Creed Comic Con	September 5, 2026	Plymouth Life Centre	Creed Conventions event with displays and props; traders selling out of this world collections; celebrities from TV and the movies; a wide array of cosplayers; and cosplay competitions!
Bournemouth Comic-Con	September 5, 2026	Bournemouth International Centre	Creed Conventions event with displays and props; traders selling out of this world collections; celebrities from TV and the movies; a wide array of cosplayers; and cosplay competitions!
Worcester Comic Con	September 6, 2026	University of Worcester Arena	Costume contests, themed photo ops, gaming zones, movie cars, and a huge selection of stalls with collectibles and crafts
Film & Comic Con Cardiff	September 12-13, 2026	NIAC	Browse trader stalls for those hard to find items, meet the stars, geek out and enjoy the cosplay.
Norwich Anime & Gaming Con	October 3, 2026	Carrow Road, Norwich	Anime, manga and cosplay Video gaming and tabletop gaming Stage events, panels, quizzes and parties Artists, traders and community activities
Swansea Comic Con	October 25, 2026	LC Swansea	Halloween themed event with traders, photo op displays, cosplay groups and competitions, retro gaming, character meet and greets, lightsaber training and face painting.

Cosplay Highlights

Competitions: Many events, such as the Bury Comic Con Cosplay Competition (at The Met) and Swansea Comic Con, host dedicated, often free, cosplay competitions

Character Groups: Specialised groups are common at events like the UKCGF Tour in Cornwall

You can find more events at convention organiser websites such as Stars of Time, Anime League, Creed Conventions, Unleashed Events, and UK Comic and Gaming Festival Events.

Note: Tickets for many of these events, particularly Phoenix Fest, go on sale early (January 2026) and sell out quickly. It is highly recommended to check official event websites closer to the date for ticket availability and specific cosplay competition sign-ups.