Harrogate Convention Centre is to host leading figures in comic book industry for Thought Bubble Festival
The first details of one of the most important festivals in the global comics calendar has been revealed as Harrogate gears up to play a major role this year.
Harrogate Convention Centre is to welcome more than 600 comic-creating exhibitors and thousands of comics fans for two days on November as part of the 20th annual Thought Bubble Festival.
The event, which comes to Harrogate on November 14-15, will play host to leading figures in the industry from comics legends to the most exciting new artists and writers from around the world.
Among the star names revealed so far in the 2026 programme are Canadian cartoonist, author and storyteller Kate Beaton whose webcomic Hark! A Vagrant became a NYT bestselling graphic novel before her 2022 graphic memoir Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands became one of US President Barack Obama’s favourite books of the year.
Also appearing will be renowned artist and publisher Lee Garbett, co-creator of Skyward and Shadecraft (Image), artist for Marvel’s Daredevil, Uncanny Spider-Man, Batgirl and more and founding member of forward-thinking creator-owned publisher DSTLRY.
There will also be a special author event with two of Yorkshire’s finest graphic novel creators – Kristyna Baczynski & Darryl Cunningham.
Thought Bubble Festival Director Martha Julian said: “For our 20th festival, we wanted to nod to the past with some classic festival features that people know and love, while keeping things fresh with exciting launch events and new guest talks.”
Founded in Leeds, Thought Bubble is one of the longest-running conventions and comic art events in the country.
It is still proudly independent and still delivered by a small team of dedicated comic lovers,.
Co-founded in 2007 by Lisa Wood, aka Tula Lotay, whilst working at Leeds comic book shop Travelling Man, and 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 to celebrated comics, the creators making them and the fans who love them.
Tickets for Thought Bubble Comic Convention 2026 are on sale now at: https://www.thoughtbubblefestival.com/comicconvention