UK Comic Cons Students Have to Visit

Comic cons give students a weekend of cosplay, gaming, comics and the chance to meet the people behind their favourite films and series. They take place in major university cities, so many students can reach one without a long journey. This guide covers six UK comic cons worth planning around, including where each one takes place and roughly when. Dates change from year to year, so check each organiser’s website before you book.

Why UK comic cons suit student life

Comic cons suit a student budget and a student timetable. Most events take place over a weekend, which leaves weekdays free for lectures. Tickets are often sold per day, so you can go for one day rather than the whole weekend. Many host cities also have good rail links, which helps if you’re travelling in from another university city.

Comic cons also bring people together. Fans of anime, tabletop games, horror and superhero comics gather in one place, so it’s easy to meet people who share your interests. Going with flatmates or a society is a simple way to share the cost of travel.

MCM London Comic Con

MCM London Comic Con takes place at ExCeL London in the Royal Docks. It has been held there twice a year since 2002, usually on the last weekend in May and October. The show floor includes celebrity guests, Artist Alley, a tabletop zone, cosplay and a Pop Asia area for anime and manga fans.

Because there are two shows each year, students get a spring and an autumn chance to go. The October show falls early in the academic year, which suits anyone who has just started a new course. Custom House station, served by the DLR and the Elizabeth line, is close to the venue.

MCM Birmingham Comic Con

MCM Birmingham Comic Con is held at the NEC, close to Birmingham International station. The show has traditionally taken place in November. In 2026, however, the organisers moved it to August, so check the current date before you plan your trip.

The format is similar to the London show. Expect celebrity guests, Artist Alley, cosplay and a tabletop zone. Birmingham is also well connected by rail to many university cities, which helps students who are travelling in from elsewhere.

Comic Con Liverpool

Comic Con Liverpool takes place twice a year, usually in spring and autumn, at Liverpool’s waterfront convention complex. The venue is within a short walk of Liverpool ONE bus station.

Organisers book guests from film, television, gaming, anime and wrestling. In addition, the event includes cosplay on stage, retro and modern gaming areas, and trader and artist areas. It’s a good fit for students based in Liverpool, and for those in nearby northern cities who want a day trip.

Comic Con Scotland in Edinburgh

Comic Con Scotland takes place at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, next to Edinburgh Airport. The 2026 show is in October, which makes it an easy autumn trip for students based in Scotland.

Expect celebrity guests, stage appearances, cosplay, gaming areas, props, set builds, traders and artists. Because the venue is on the edge of the city, check the transport guidance on the venue’s website before you travel.

Thought Bubble in Yorkshire

Thought Bubble puts comic art and independent creators first, rather than film and television guests. It began in Leeds as a one-day event in the basement of Leeds Town Hall and is now one of the UK’s longest-running comic events.

The festival takes place across Yorkshire for a week in November, with exhibitions, talks and social events. The convention itself is held at Harrogate Convention Centre on the final weekend of the festival. Harrogate is connected to Leeds by rail, so students based in Leeds can reach it without a car.

Art, illustration and creative writing students will find plenty to browse, from small press titles to original artwork.

Wales Comic Con in Llangollen

Wales Comic Con is held in North Wales and moved to Llangollen Pavilion in Denbighshire in 2025, after earlier editions in Wrexham. Llangollen is south-west of Wrexham, so it suits students based in the area.

The event features actors, content creators, artists and writers, along with a Q&A stage where guests talk to the audience. The organisers announced two events for 2026, including one over Easter weekend. Venues and dates have changed before, so confirm the details on the official website.

Which UK comic con is right for you

The right choice depends on what you enjoy. MCM London, MCM Birmingham, Comic Con Liverpool and Comic Con Scotland focus on film, television, gaming and anime guests. Thought Bubble focuses on comics and independent creators. Wales Comic Con covers a mix of pop culture. Start with the show closest to your university, then plan a longer trip once you know what you like.

Tips for visiting UK comic cons on a student budget

• Buy tickets from the official organiser website and choose the day that suits you.
• Travel by train where you can, and check whether a Railcard applies to your journey.
• Set a budget before you arrive. Autographs and photo opportunities usually cost extra, as does merchandise.
• Plan your costume early. Most events have rules on props, especially anything that looks like a weapon.
• Go with friends or your society to share travel costs.
• Check the official website for current dates, because organisers can move shows from one year to the next.

Plan your comic con trip.

UK comic cons take place throughout the year in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Yorkshire and North Wales, so there’s usually a show within reach of a university city. Whether you want celebrity guests, independent comics or a stage for your cosplay, there’s an event to match. If you’re choosing a student home, we have student accommodation in cities across the UK, so you can see which of these events is close to your university.