UK and Ireland cosplay, comic and anime conventions in 2018

It looks like 2018 is going to be a rich year for fans of all genres and interests when it comes to cosplay, anime and comic conventions in the UK and Ireland. Check out our list below to see what’s near you!

Please note – we’ve highlighted any conventions with a specific focus on anime and cosplay. You certainly won’t be the only one there cosplaying! However, cosplay is sure to be welcomed at all events. Everyone loves to see fellow fans making an extra creative effort.

If you’re a first-time con attendee, check out our comics and anime convention tips for beginners as well as our mini-guide to anime con etiquette. This feminist take on a first-time anime con may also offer much-needed reassurance. Conventions of this type are generally full of folks with warm natures and big geeky hearts.

UK and Ireland Comic and Anime Conventions in 2018

February 2018

• True Believers Comic Festival – Cheltenham Racecourse, Feb 3
• Captain SciFi Con – Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Feb 3-4
• DEVCON Exeter – Exeter Corn Exchange, Feb 4
• AniMangaPop – Crowne Plaza, Plymouth, Feb 10 [ANIME/COSPLAY FOCUS]
• Cardiff Anime Con – Mercure Holland, Feb 10-11 [ANIME/COSPLAY FOCUS]
• London Anime and Gaming Convention – London Met, N7, Feb 16-18 [ANIME/COSPLAY FOCUS]
• Toshokon 2018 – Leeds Central Library, Feb 17 [ANIME/COSPLAY FOCUS]
• Digi-Con 4 – Doncaster School for the Deaf, Feb 25

March 2018

• Dunfermline Comic Con – Pittencrieff Park’s Glen Pavilion, Mar 3
• Liverpool Independent Comic Con – St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, Mar 3
• DEVCON Plymouth – Plymouth Guildhall, Mar 3rd
• Minami Con – Novotel Hotel, Southamption, Mar 9-11 [ANIME/COSPLAY FOCUS]
• MCM Birmingham – NEC, Mar 17-18
• Bath Comic-Con – Bath Pavilion, Mar 17
• CosXPo – University of Reading, Mar 24
• Medway Comic and Screen Festival – Medway Park, Gillingham, Mar 24-25
• Dublin Comic Con – Dublin Convention Centre, Mar 31 – Apr 1

April 2018

• Deecon 2018 – The Union, Airlie Place, Dundee, Apr 7
• Em-Con Worcester – University of Worcester Arena, Apr 8
• Leamington Comic Con – All Saints Church, Leamington Spa, Apr 14
• Paisley Comic Con – Paisley Town Hall, Apr 14
• Edinburgh Comic Con – EICC, Edinburgh, Apr 14-15
• Margate Comic Art Festival – Winter Gardens, Apr 14-15
• Ox Con III – Examination Schools, Oxford, Apr 21
• Sci-Fi Scarborough – Grand Hall, Spa Complex, Apr 21-22
• Wales Comic Con – Wrexham, Apr 21-22
• Birmingham Comic Con – Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Apr 28-29

May 2018

• Portsmouth Comic Con – Portsmouth Guildhall, May 5-6
• Enniskillen Comic Fest – Enniskillen, May 11-12
• Oldham Comic Con 2 – Oldham Library, May 12
• Lawgiver MK4 – Doubletree by Hilton, Bristol, May 26
• Granite City Comic Con – Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, May 26
• MCM London Comic Con – Excel, London, May 25-27

June 2018

• Derby Comic Con – The Roundhouse, Derby College, Jun 2
• Cardiff Independent Comic Expo (CICE) – Mercure Cardiff Holland House, Jun 2
• Yorkshire Cosplay Con – Sheffield Arena, Jun 2-3 [COSPLAY FOCUS]
• Comic Con Leicester – Athena Leicester, Jun 9-10
• ELCAF – Round Chapel, London, Jun 22-24
• Glasgow Comic Con – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Jun 30

July 2018

• Geekfest Cornwall – Cornwall, Jul 7-8
• AmeCon 2018 – Warwick Art Centre, Coventry, Jul 27-29 [ANIME/COSPLAY FOCUS]
• MCM Manchester – Manchester Central, Jul 28-29

August 2018

• Worcester Comic Con – Worcester Arena, Aug 11

September 2018

• NICE – Northampton, Sep 1-2
• ICE – BCEC Birmingham, Sep 15
• Coventry Comic Con – Sports Connexion, Ryton-on Dunsmore, Sep 15
• Thought Bubble – Leeds, Sep 22-23
• MCM Scotland – SECC, Sep 22-23
• WynterCon – Eastbourne Princes Park, Sep 22-23
• Meanwhile… Comic Con 2018 – Chichester College, Sep 29
• NORCON 8 – Norfolk Showground Arena, Sep 29-30

October 2018

• DEVCON Plymouth – Plymouth Guildhall, Oct 13-14
• Destination Star Trek – NEC Birmingham, Oct 19-21 Oct
• Nottingham Comic Convention – Nottingham Conference Centre, Oct 20

Comic conventions and anime cons are such a powerful way to meet like minds and swim in that restorative feeling of, you know, coming home. Treat yourself.

Tips on attending comics and cosplay conventions:

• Must-know tips for going to a comics or anime convention
• Anime convention etiquette for beginners
• 3 lessons in feminism from my first big anime con

If you want to share your convention experiences and tips or submit cosplay pics, get in touch. We would love to hear from you.

We’re adding to our list below all the time. If there’s a convention we should add to the list, contact us via the email address on our submission guidelines and we’ll get right on it.

Model: Liz Greene cosplays Princess Serenity

Photography: Langarang