It may feel like just five minutes since we were all sitting in the bar of the Old Swan in Harrogate chatting comics but it’s already time to start thinking about Thought Bubble 2026. Below is the first press release of the year from our chums in the Thought Bubble team.
THOUGHT BUBBLE SHARE DATES FOR MILESTONE 20TH EDITION & LAUNCH PATRON CALL OUT
YORKSHIRE CONVENTION AND COMIC ART FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE MILESTONE AS ONE OF UK’S LONGEST RUNNING COMIC EVENTS
THOUGHT BUBBLE FESTIVAL
VENUES ACROSS YORKSHIRE
9 – 15 NOVEMBER 2026
THOUGHT BUBBLE COMIC CONVENTION
HARROGATE CONVENTION CENTRE
14 & 15 NOVEMBER 2026
https://www.
Internationally renowned comic art festival and convention Thought Bubble has announced the dates and released tickets for this year’s events, whilst also sharing exciting plans for its landmark 20th edition. Taking place throughout the first half of November, Thought Bubble Festival will see venues across Yorkshire hosting an extensive programme of academic conferences, art exhibitions, artist and industry Q&As, social events, LGBTQ+ book clubs as well as thousands of free comics donated by the comics industry and given away to young readers by Leeds Libraries.
Thought Bubble Comic Convention will be taking place across 14th & 15th of November at Harrogate Convention Centre. One of the most significant events in the global comics calendar, Thought Bubble welcomes leading figures in the industry from comics legends to the most exciting new artists and writers from around the world for a series of panels, conversations, workshops and signings. The convention is set to host over 600 comic-creating exhibitors and welcome thousands of comics fans across the weekend. The first wave of guests for Thought Bubble Comic Convention 2026 will be announced soon.
Entering its 20th iteration, Thought Bubble is one of the UK’s longest-running conventions and comic art events. Founded in 2007 by renowned comic artist Tula Lotay (aka Lisa Wood) who was working in Leeds comic book shop Travelling Man at the time. Encouraged by Travelling Man’s Director and fellow Thought Bubble co-founder, Nabil Homsi, Lisa put together the first Thought Bubble Convention; a one-day event in the basement of Leeds Town Hall that celebrated comics, the creators making them and the fans who love them.
Nineteen conventions later, Thought Bubble is still proudly independent and still delivered by a small team of dedicated comic lovers, having steadily become a cornerstone of the international comics community. While the future of the event is not under threat, the independent event is not immune to the well-documented rising costs and loss of funding opportunities facing the events industry. To ensure the continuation of their award-winning community and outreach work, Thought Bubble have announced they’re searching for Patrons to help secure its future, and enable them to continue their vital role within the thriving comics community.
Tickets for Thought Bubble Comic Convention 2026 are on sale now.
Exhibitor applications for Thought Bubble Comic Convention 2026 are also open, more details can be found here.
Interested Patrons can learn more about the Thought Bubble Patron scheme here
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Thought Bubble Director Martha Julian said:
We can’t quite fathom that this year will be our 20th Comic Convention! To see how it’s grown is just staggering, and that is thanks to all of our wonderful visitors, exhibitors, guests, and volunteers. We are so grateful to anyone who is able to donate to our Patrons project. We aren’t going anywhere! But your support means that we can continue to offer this much-loved festival that champions creators, and keeps comics at its fore.
For latest programme, guests and events please visit:
https://www.
Press For Thought Bubble:
“Thought Bubble is the UK’s biggest celebration of comic art and culture.” – Creative Boom
“Thought Bubble is the most important comic convention around” – Popverse
“Thought Bubble feels like a festival built with and for the local community” – The Gamer
