Thought Bubble Convention 2026: Full line-up, star guests, panels, and workshops for Harrogate weekend

Following a stacked week of fringe events across Leeds, the milestone Thought Bubble Convention 2026 takes place on November 14 and 15, bringing together hundreds of indie creators, global publishers, Hollywood concept artists, and legendary writers alongside interactive workshops, pitch sessions, and family-friendly zones.

The festival was founded in 2007 by acclaimed comic artist and illustrator Lisa Wood (who works under the pen name Tula Lotay) while she was working at Leeds comic institution Travelling Man.

The very first event took place in November 2007 inside the basement of Leeds Town Hall, drawing around 500 local fans and creators together for a one-day celebration of sequential art.

Driven by a fiercely independent, inclusive, and creator-first ethos, Thought Bubble rapidly outgrew its original home.

Over the next decade, the festival expanded across Leeds - filling Savile’s Hall at Leeds Dock, taking over the Royal Armouries, and popping up in giant marquees on Millennium Square.

By 2019, with attendance soaring into the tens of thousands and international creators flying in from around the globe, the weekend convention relocated to the Harrogate Convention Centre to accommodate its massive scale.

Despite the move, Thought Bubble has maintained its soul and local roots, keeping its week-long fringe festival firmly anchored in Leeds libraries, bars, and galleries.

Following a week of fringe events across Leeds, the premier event on the UK comic calendar arrives in full force at the Harrogate Convention Centre next month, celebrating its milestone 20th edition.

Here is your complete guide to what is happening across the convention halls, panel rooms, and signing stages over the weekend.

Thought Bubble 2026 - line-up and event guide

Who is set to appear at Thought Bubble Convention 2026?

A stellar line-up of comic creators, writers, illustrators, and indie artists will be tabling and appearing across the Harrogate Convention Centre over the weekend.

Dedicated signing slots will take place at the Guest Signing Tables in Travelling Man Hall, with some of the big names including:

• Kate Beaton (Ducks, Hark! A Vagrant): Saturday 12.30pm–1.30pm | Sunday 11.30am–12.30pm
• Alice Oseman (Heartstopper, Solitaire): Sunday 1.45pm–3.45pm
• Tula Lotay (Barnstormers, Thought Bubble founder): Saturday 11.30am–12.30pm | Sunday 11.30am–12.30pm
• Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead): Saturday 12.30pm–1.30pm | Sunday 12.30pm–1.30pm
• Becky Cloonan (Batman, Wonder Woman): Saturday 12.30pm–1.30pm | Sunday 11.30am–12.30pm
• Michael Conrad (Wonder Woman): Sunday 11.30am–12.30pm & 12.30pm–1.30pm
• Wren James (The Cruel Prince graphic novel adaptation): Sunday 1.45pm–3.45pm

Other major guests tabling across the weekend include Simon Bisley, Jeffrey Brown (Saturday only), Al Ewing, Kieron Gillen, Jock, Jamie McKelvie, Emma Ríos, Simon Spurrier, and Christian Ward.

Featured Panel Discussions

Many of the convention's headliners will also take the stage in the Queen's Suite and Travelling Man Stage:

• Alice Oseman Spotlight (Sunday, 12:15pm, Panel Room 1): Alice Oseman sits down with friend and collaborator Wren James to explore their career, the global success of Heartstopper, screenwriting, and LGBTQ+ storytelling.
• Kate Beaton: Make It Then Tell Everybody Live (Saturday, 4:15pm, Panel Room 1): Kate Beaton joins cartoonist Dan Berry for a live podcast recording discussing her journey from historical webcomics to award-winning graphic memoirs. (Kate also joins the On the Right Side of History panel on Sunday at 1:30pm).
• What Should Superhero Movies Steal From Comics? (Saturday, 12:45pm, Panel Room 2): Si Spurrier, Tula Lotay, Jamie McKelvie, and Doaly examine which classic storylines Hollywood should adapt next to tackle 'superhero fatigue'.
• Myths That Shaped Comics (Sunday, 11:30am, Panel Room 2): Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine), Erica D'Urso, Emma Ríos, and Mohsen Ashraf discuss why ancient mythology continues to inspire modern comic art.
• Sketching Superheroes Live! (Saturday, 12:15pm, Panel Room 1): Tana Ford, Jahnoy Lindsay, and Dan McDaid sketch iconic superheroes live on stage while chatting with host Kofi Smiles.
• Stroke of Genius: Painted Comics (Sunday, 2:00pm, Panel Room 2): Legendary artist Simon Bisley joins Jessica Fong, Erin Connally, and Boo Cook to discuss the labour-intensive art of fully painted comic pages.
• Comics, Mental Health & Healing (Sunday, 11:00am, Panel Room 1): Dr Ian Williams hosts Kay Medaglia, RubyEtc, Kim-Joy, and Jaleel Hudson for a personal discussion on navigating anxiety and emotional struggles through panels.

What workshops are planned for Thought Bubble Convention 2026?

The Queen's Suite will host practical, hands-on masterclasses and roundtables tailored for aspiring creators, professional artists, and fans:

Creative & Craft Masterclasses

• Graphic Novels 101 with Salomey Doku (Saturday, 12.45pm): Author/illustrator Salomey Doku breaks down the creation of her teen graphic novel series Brielle and Bear into four steps and guides participants through making their own mini-comic (Ages 13+).
• Comics: A Daily Habit with Adam de Souza (Sunday, 11.30am): Cartoonist Adam de Souza examines how to build a sustainable daily drawing practice - bring a sketchbook and pencil and prepare to "draw badly on purpose" (Ages 12+).
• Lettering 101 with Rob Jones (Sunday, 12.45pm): Professional letterer Rob Jones delivers a crash course on sound effects, balloon placement, and giving voice to 2D art (Ages 12+).
• Manga & Zine Making Workshop with Mayamada (Sunday, 3.15pm): Learn manga storytelling techniques and zine creation, crafting your own short comic story based on session prompts (Ages 12+).
• Advice for Aspiring Children's Comic Creators (Saturday, 11.30am): Mark Bradley (Bumble & Snug) and Emma Layfield (Children's Books North) offer practical tips on illustrating graphic novels for younger readers.

Professional Rights, Pitching & Development

• Society of Authors: Navigating Comics as a Profession (Saturday, 3.15pm): Theo Jones (SoA) and Hannah Berry explore copyright protection, contract negotiations, and defending creator IP in the age of AI.
• Fair Pay & Economic Justice Roundtable (Sunday, 2pm): Zara Slattery, Hannah Berry, and Myfanwy Tristram lead an industry session exploring minimum rates, IP valuation, and fair creator pay.
• 2000 AD Talent Searches: Live 2-minute writer pitches (Sun 12.45pm) & artist portfolio reviews (Sun 3.30pm).
• Drop-In Portfolio Reviews (Sat & Sun, 11am–2pm, Travelling Man Hall): Free 5-minute 1-on-1 portfolio reviews with guest professionals for artists of all levels.

What other activities are scheduled to take place at Thought Bubble Convention 2026?

Beyond panels and shopping the hall floors, the convention features interactive family areas, quiet retreats, exhibitions, and social events:

• The Kids’ Zone (Bubbleboy Hall): A dedicated family hub featuring the Roll Up & Rock Activity Dome (mask-making, badge-making, and Lego), drop-in Collaborative Comix Jams with Doctor Simpo (12pm–4pm daily), and dedicated workshops led by creators including Jeffrey Brown (Sat 11am), Steve Webb (Sat 1pm), Robert Deas (Sat 2pm), Phil Corbett (Sat 4pm), and Ramzee (Sun 11am).
• Cosplay Parades (Sat 4pm & Sun 3pm, Travelling Man Stage): Open to all cosplayers - whether store-bought or handmade - with no pre-registration required. Every participant receives a raffle ticket for prize draws.
• Voice of the Fans Exhibition (Travelling Man Hall): A pop-up display co-produced by the British Library and Leeds Libraries exploring 60 years of football fanzines, featuring legendary titles like Leeds United’s The Square Ball, When Saturday Comes, and Bradford’s The City Gent.
• 20th Edition Retrospective at Mercer Art Gallery: Located just across the road, the Mercer Gallery is showcasing a special retrospective video celebrating 20 years of Thought Bubble, edited by videographer Kate Broughton.
• Quiet Spaces & Reading Rooms (Queen's Suite): Visitors looking for a break from overstimulation can head to Bub’s Lounge (offering quiet seating, sketch materials, and free earplugs) or the Graphic Novel Reading Room foyer to relax with hundreds of sample comics.
• Official Mid-Con Party (Saturday, 7pm–12am, MOJO Harrogate): Co-hosted by 2000 AD, offering free entry for all wristband and lanyard holders (18+) across three floors of drinks and music.

How to get tickets & event details for Thought Bubble Convention 2026

Advance tickets can be booked through the ticketing page on the official Thought Bubble Festival website, with free entry for under-12s and carers with a paying adult, plus student concessions.

Early wristband collection is also available at The Mercer Art Gallery on November 13 from 6pm to 8pm to skip opening day queues.