Thought Bubble Comic Convention

What Thought Bubble is and who goes

Thought Bubble Comic Convention is the two-day finale of Thought Bubble Festival, a week of comics events across Yorkshire that runs from 9 to 15 November. This is the 20th edition. The convention fills the Exhibition Halls at Harrogate Convention Centre and is open to the public. It suits long-standing readers, new readers, families, students and working creators.

More than 600 comic-creating exhibitors sell their work. There are also guests, talks, workshops, signings, a cosplay parade and a kids' zone with free activities. Guests listed so far include Becky Cloonan, Al Ewing, Matt Fraction, Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie and Tula Lotay, who founded the festival in 2007. The 2024 convention sold out in advance, with more than 8,000 attendees.

Dates and opening times

The convention runs on Saturday 14 November from 10am to 6pm, and on Sunday 15 November from 10am to 5pm. There are two entrances, numbers 4 and 5. Both can be used to collect wristbands and to enter and leave. Each visitor gets one wristband, which lasts the whole weekend.

The convention centre takes card and contactless payments only. Not every exhibitor takes cards, so some cash for stalls is useful. There is a cash machine outside entrance 4.

For exhibitors and creators

If you are exhibiting or travelling in for the festival week, the organiser has no official hotel this year. It points people to places near the convention centre instead. An apartment with a kitchen, space for boxes of stock and a front door close to the halls can be easier than a hotel room. The organiser sends exhibitors loading permit details closer to the date, and the centre has a paid underground car park.

For visitors

Weekend tickets are £42 and Saturday-only tickets are £30. Cosplay and student tickets cost less. Tickets are free for under 12s, over 65s and carers or support workers, with some conditions. Under 12s need an accompanying adult ticket. Carers need a paying ticket holder with them. ID may be needed for concessions. Tickets are non-refundable and are sold through the organiser's site.

There is no cloakroom and no public wifi in the halls. The organiser says Sunday afternoon is usually quieter. There is also a quiet recharge space called Bub's Lounge.

Getting there

Harrogate station is about a 10-minute walk from the Convention Centre. LNER runs direct trains to and from London King's Cross roughly hourly. Leeds is about 35 minutes by train. Leeds Bradford Airport is about 30 minutes away by taxi.

Booking early

Harrogate fills up for Thought Bubble, and the organiser advises booking accommodation early. We have serviced apartments and townhouses in central Harrogate, many a short walk from the Convention Centre and the Royal Hall. They suit couples, groups of friends travelling together and families, and they have kitchens and room for purchases.

After the event

Once the halls close, central Harrogate has plenty of places for dinner and a drink. The Turkish Baths are a good way to rest after a day on your feet. The festival has also held an evening party in previous years, so check the programme.