Anime in Motion: UK and European Conventions Worth Travelling For in 2026
- Josh O'Donnell
- Nov 9
- 5 min read
Anime conventions in 2026 are immersive, multi-day experiences that blend cosplay, gaming, music, and fan culture. From stadium expos to intimate hotel takeovers, these events offer unforgettable travel opportunities for anime lovers across the UK and Europe.
AnimeCon UK – Manchester Central Convention Complex
28 February – 1 March 2026
AnimeCon UK kicks off the season with a multi-hall takeover at Manchester Central, one of the UK’s largest convention venues. The event blends anime screenings, cosplay competitions, gaming zones, and J-pop performances into a high-energy weekend. Expect appearances from voice actors, VTubers, and manga artists, plus a vendor hall packed with rare imports and exclusive merch.
Themed areas include a retro arcade, maid café, and chill-out lounge. The afterparty scene is equally vibrant, with DJ-led anime raves and karaoke nights. For a preview of the venue and crowd energy, watch this first look and this full walkthrough from the 2025 Birmingham edition.
MinamiCon – Novotel Southampton
13–15 March 2026
Held at the Novotel Southampton, MinamiCon is one of the UK’s longest-running anime conventions. It’s a hotel-based con with a loyal following, offering a relaxed, community-led atmosphere. Programming includes karaoke, fan-run panels, themed banquets, and a cosplay masquerade focused on creativity over competition.
The venue layout encourages mingling, with breakout rooms for tabletop gaming, manga swaps, and late-night anime screenings. MinamiCon is ideal for first-time con-goers and returning fans who want a weekend of connection and nostalgia.
HaruCon – Messehalle Klagenfurt, Austria
9–10 May 2026
HaruCon is Austria’s leading anime convention, held in the scenic lakeside city of Klagenfurt. The Messehalle venue offers indoor and outdoor zones for cosplay showcases, artist alley booths, and gaming tournaments. Expect panels with local voice actors, themed cafés, and a strong focus on Austrian-Japanese cultural exchange.
The event is mid-sized but deeply immersive, with a relaxed vibe and stunning alpine surroundings. It’s ideal for fans seeking a scenic, culturally rich con experience with easy access from Vienna, Graz, and Slovenia.
Fantasy Basel – Messe Basel, Switzerland
14–16 May 2026
Fantasy Basel is Switzerland’s largest pop culture event, with a massive anime and manga presence. Held in Basel’s exhibition centre, Fantasy Basel features cosplay villages, J-pop concerts, manga drawing workshops, and themed zones for gaming and Japanese culture.
The event blends anime with sci-fi, fantasy, and gaming, making it perfect for multi-fandom travellers. Basel’s central location also makes it easy to reach from France, Germany, and Italy. Expect high production value, international guests, and a vibrant artist alley.
MCM Comic Con – London Excel Centre
22–24 May 2026
While not anime-exclusive, MCM Comic Con is the UK’s largest fan convention, with a huge anime footprint. Held at the Excel Centre in London, it features cosplay parades, anime screenings, artist alley booths, and panels with voice actors and manga creators.
The scale is unmatched, multiple halls, thousands of attendees, and a vendor zone that spans everything from anime plushies to rare Blu-ray box sets. MCM also hosts gaming tournaments, K-pop showcases, and crossover panels with sci-fi and fantasy creators.
Watch THIS IS COMIC CON MCM LONDON COMIC CON 2025 and MCM London Comic Con 2025 May | From Meh to Amazing? for a taste of the spectacle.
DoKomi – Düsseldorf, Germany
29–31 May 2026
Held in Düsseldorf, DoKomi is Germany’s biggest anime convention, attracting over 75,000 visitors. The event features maid cafés, cosplay contests, indie game showcases, and themed dance floors. The venue is vast, with dedicated zones for manga, gaming, and Japanese culture.
DoKomi is known for its community-first approach, with fan-led panels, workshops, and a cosplay village that encourages interaction. It’s a must-visit for fans across central Europe, offering scale, creativity, and a welcoming atmosphere.
SunnyCon Anime Expo – St James’ Park, Newcastle
19–21 June 2026
SunnyCon transforms St James’ Park into a three-day anime celebration. The stadium setting allows for large-scale cosplay showcases, outdoor performances, and spacious vendor halls. It’s one of the most energetic cons in the UK, with a strong focus on accessibility and fan engagement.
Expect big-name guests, live music, and a cosplay championship that draws competitors from across Europe. The outdoor zones host food trucks, fan meetups, and photo ops with iconic backdrops.
AniSeki – Chelmsford City Racecourse
11 July 2026
AniSeki is a one-day anime and gaming celebration held at Chelmsford Racecourse. It’s compact but vibrant, with open-air stages, food trucks, and indie creator zones. The cosplay competition is a major draw, and the relaxed setting makes it perfect for families and first-time attendees.
Expect themed zones for gaming, manga, and fan art, plus a casual cosplay parade that welcomes all skill levels. AniSeki focuses on accessibility and affordability, with a strong emphasis on local artists and community-led panels.
Japan Expo – Parc des Expositions, Paris
9–12 July 2026
Held in Paris, Japan Expo is Europe’s largest anime convention, attracting over 250,000 visitors. It blends anime, manga, J-pop, martial arts, and traditional Japanese culture into a four-day mega-event. The venue is vast, with themed zones, live performances, and cosplay villages.
Expect exclusive screenings, studio previews, and guest appearances from top Japanese creators. Cultural programming includes tea ceremonies, calligraphy workshops, and martial arts demos.
Watch Japan Expo 2025 Paris Europe Biggest Anime Con First Look and Japan Expo 2025 Paris Europe Biggest Anime Con for full walkthroughs and cosplay highlights.
AnimagiC – Rosengarten Mannheim, Germany
31 July – 2 August 2026
AnimagiC is one of Germany’s most prestigious anime conventions, held in the elegant Rosengarten venue in Mannheim. It features exclusive screenings, Japanese music acts, manga publishers, and cosplay showcases. Expect concerts from J-pop and anisong artists, autograph sessions with manga creators, and panels with anime directors.
The venue’s riverside location adds a scenic touch to the experience, and the programming is curated to appeal to both hardcore fans and newcomers.
Kokorocon – Crowne Plaza Nottingham, UK
23–25 August 2026 (TBC)
Kokorocon is one of the UK’s most immersive hotel-based anime conventions. Known for its high-energy performances, themed parties, and guest DJs, it offers a full weekend of panels, gaming, and cosplay. The 2025 edition featured Crush 40 live on stage, and 2026 is expected to build on that momentum.
Watch kokorocon 2025 Vlog for a taste of the vibe and production quality. Dates for 2026 are pending confirmation.
FACTS – Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium
5–6 October 2026
FACTS is Belgium’s largest pop culture convention, with a strong anime and manga presence. Held in Ghent’s Flanders Expo, it features cosplay contests, anime screenings, artist alley booths, and gaming tournaments. The event blends anime with comics, sci-fi, and fantasy, making it ideal for multi-fandom travellers.
Expect appearances from anime voice actors, manga illustrators, and European cosplay champions. Ghent’s historic centre and canal-side cafés make it a perfect weekend destination.
Final Frame
From stadium expos in Newcastle to riverside concerts in Mannheim, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for anime travel. Whether you're chasing cosplay championships, J-pop headliners, or indie artist alleys, these conventions offer more than fandom, they’re full cultural experiences. With events spanning every season and region, there’s never been a better time to plan your next anime-inspired adventure.
Bookmark this guide, pack your cosplay, and start building your 2026 con calendar.