Thought Bubble Festival 2026

Thought Bubble Festival is the UK's biggest celebration of comics and comic art, and in 2026 it reaches its 20th edition. The festival week runs from 9 to 15 November 2026 with events across Yorkshire, and ends with the two-day Thought Bubble Comic Convention at the Harrogate Convention Centre on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November. More than 600 exhibitors and 73 guests, from bestselling graphic novelists to small-press creators, fill the halls.

Thought Bubble is run as a not-for-profit, and its partner charity is Barnardo's.

About the Thought Bubble Festival

Thought Bubble started in Leeds in 2007 as a one-day comics event and grew into a week-long festival with a large convention at its centre. Since 2019 the convention has been held in Harrogate, a spa town in North Yorkshire. Its reputation rests on creators rather than celebrities: the guest list is made up of writers and artists, and the exhibitor halls are dominated by independent publishers, self-published comics and artists' tables.

That focus makes Thought Bubble one of the friendliest conventions for anyone who makes comics. Professionals come to see new work, and many careers in British comics have started with a table at the festival.

What to Expect

• 73 guests, including Kate Beaton, Charlie Adlard, Becky Cloonan, Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Jock, Tula Lotay, Matt Fraction, Sean Phillips, Emma Rios, Simon Spurrier, Christian Ward and Alice Oseman (Sunday only)
• 600+ exhibitors: publishers, small presses, comic shops and hundreds of independent artists selling books, zines and prints
• Talks and panels with guests on writing, drawing and the comics industry
• Portfolio reviews for artists hoping to work for publishers
• The 2000 AD Talent Search, a chance to show your work to the editors of Britain's best-known comic
• Support for new creators: micro-bursaries and the Plural Ink residency

2026 Programme

The festival week starts on Monday 9 November, with workshops, screenings, exhibitions and social events in Leeds, Harrogate and other Yorkshire towns. These are announced on the festival website in the weeks before. The convention itself opens on Saturday 14 November from 10am to 6pm, and on Sunday 15 November from 10am to 5pm. Signings take place at the guests' tables throughout the weekend, with times published closer to the date, and some guests attend on one day only.

For the 20th anniversary, the Thought Bubble Festival is also inviting patrons to support its work with schools and new creators.

Who Is It For?

• Comic artists, writers and illustrators at any stage, from students to professionals
• Self-publishers and small presses looking for readers and peers
• Readers of graphic novels, webcomics, manga and superhero comics
• Families: children under 12 enter free with an adult
• Anyone thinking about a career in comics who wants portfolio feedback

Tickets

Tickets for the convention are sold on the official website. There are full-price tickets, student tickets for those at college or university with a valid student ID, and over-65 tickets. Children under 12 go free with an adult ticket, and carers or support workers go free with the person they accompany. Tickets are non-refundable, and concession holders may be asked for ID at the door. Prices are shown on the ticket page; festival-week events are priced individually, and some are free.

Tips for Comic Creators

If you make comics, the convention is one of the best places in Britain to meet editors, other artists and readers in the same weekend. The 2000 AD Talent Search asks artists to bring a sample of pages drawn from a script,; the requirements are published on the festival website before the event, so prepare your pages in advance. Other publishers also see portfolios, usually by booking a slot.

The exhibitor halls are just as valuable. Walk the small-press tables, talk to artists about how they print and sell their books, and pick up zines from creators whose work you admire. Many people who exhibit at the festival today first came as visitors, took notes and applied for a table the following year.

For students and early-career creators, the micro-bursaries help with the cost of travel, accommodation or a table, and the Plural Ink residency offers time and support to develop a project. Keep an eye on the website and newsletter for the dates of these calls.

Things to Know

• Getting there: Harrogate has direct trains from Leeds (about 35 minutes) and York; the Convention Centre is a short walk from the station.
• Bring cash and cards: most artists take cards, but a little cash helps at smaller tables.
• Portfolio reviews: places are limited and usually need booking in advance; check the requirements on the festival site.
• Queues: the first hour on Saturday is the busiest; popular guests can have long signing lines.
• Stay over: Harrogate is small and hotels fill up for the weekend, so Leeds and York are good alternatives.

Attend Thought Bubble Festival 2026

Planning a visit?

Visit Thought Bubble

The guest list, festival-week events, exhibitor map and tickets are on the official Thought Bubble website.

Looking for more to see? Browse all events, festivals and exhibitions on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 19, 2026