Sci-Fi Scarborough 2026 Announces Stellar Line-Up....

Get ready to clear the diary, because something special is heading back to the seaside. For anyone who loves a good story set in space, a bit of magic, or just letting their inner geek flag fly, the weekend of the 18th and 19th of April 2026 is one for the calendar. That’s right, Sci-Fi Scarborough is rolling back into town for its twelfth year, and it’s shaping up to be an absolute cracker.

This isn't just any old get-together; it's a full-blown celebration of everything sci-fi and fantasy, held in a brilliant venue right by the sea. Imagine meeting heroes from the screen, discovering amazing new comic books, and being surrounded by people who love the same stuff you do. It’s a chance for the entire fandom to come together in a place that feels more like a massive party with friends than a stuffy corporate event.

First off, let's talk about the location. The event takes place at the beautiful Victorian Scarborough Spa in South Bay, a massive place with plenty of room to move about. So, no need to worry about being squashed in a crowd. It’s perfect for families and is designed to be easily accessible for everyone. For an entire weekend, this historic building in Scarborough transforms into a haven for anyone who's ever dreamed of travelling in the TARDIS or wielding a lightsaber. This is the twelfth consecutive year the event has run, which tells you it must be doing something right. It’s become a proper fixture in the geek calendar. The whole thing is organised by Sci-Fi Scarborough Ltd, a registered company in England and Wales with the company number 8718790.

But it’s the atmosphere that really makes it stand out. It’s what’s known as an ‘unconventional convention’ because it’s all about having a relaxed, fun time. There are eight different zones packed with things to see and do. You can meet guest stars from huge shows and films, get stuck into some serious gaming, or check out amazing props and fan films. There are also traders selling cool merchandise, publishers showing off their latest books, and plenty of artists and authors to chat with. And if that’s not enough, expect to see roaming Daleks, a brilliant cosplay competition, and even a Geek Pub Quiz. It's a whole universe of sci-fi and fantasy fun.

It seems others agree. The famous sci-fi and fantasy magazine STARBURST once said: ‘As more and more geek-orientated events hit the calendar, the competition has gotten more and more fierce but already, a number of events are starting to stand out from the crowd, and Sci-Fi Scarborough does this very well indeed, thanks to a combination of a great venue and very strong, community minded ethos’.

Another attendee, Paul Ferry from Omnibus, summed it up perfectly after a previous event: "Sci-Fi Scarborough 2025 is a fun, adventurous and relaxed convention for all the family and it’s quite clear that those who run it are as much fans of the things on display as those who attend year after year. If you’ve never been to a convention before or you haven’t been to one for decades, don’t plunge into some coldly corporate uber-con that you need to mortgage your house to attend, pop along to Sci-Fi Scarborough and I guarantee you won’t regret it."

Meet the stars of the show

A convention wouldn't be a convention without some brilliant guest stars, and this year’s line-up is looking stellar. It’s a proper treat for fans of two of the biggest franchises in the galaxy: Doctor Who and Star Wars. Here’s a look at who’s beaming in for the weekend.

• Paul McGann: He played the Eighth Doctor in the Doctor Who TV movie and has continued the role in countless audio adventures. He’s a massive fan favourite and also known for his role in the classic film Withnail & I.

• Janet Fielding: An absolute legend from classic Doctor Who, Janet played Tegan Jovanka, the feisty Australian air stewardess who travelled with both the Fourth and Fifth Doctors.

• Annette Badland: Whovians will recognise her as the brilliantly sneaky Margaret Blaine (one of the Slitheen) from the modern era of Doctor Who. She’s also been in just about every British TV show you can think of!

• Femi Taylor: Heading over to the Star Wars universe, Femi played Oola, the Twi'lek dancer who had a rather unfortunate encounter with Jabba the Hutt's Rancor in Return of the Jedi.

• Trevor Butterfield: Another Star Wars veteran from Return of the Jedi, Trevor appeared as the Imperial officer Lieutenant Blount on Endor.

• Duncan Pow: Fans of modern Star Wars will know Duncan as Sergeant Ruescott Melshi from Rogue One and the brilliant series Andor.It's not just about the guests

Beyond the chance to meet the guest stars, there’s a whole world of other activities happening. The event is a brilliant showcase for creators, with a fantastic line-up of artists ready to show off their work. This year features the incredible talents of Dan Mumford, Sophie Bland, The Art of Fish, and Lee Bradley. It’s the perfect place to find some unique art for your wall or get inspired. For those who love reading, you'll find authors ready to chat about their latest stories and plenty of comic books to browse through.

And what about getting involved? The cosplay competition is always a highlight. It's a chance for cosplayers to show off their incredible costumes, whether they’re dressed as a Jedi, a wizard, or their favourite anime character. It’s amazing to see the effort people put in. There's also a dedicated gaming area for anyone wanting to test their skills, and for those who like a good challenge, the Geek Pub Quiz is a must-do. It’s all part of the massive celebration of fandom that makes Sci-Fi Scarborough so special each year. The event is a fantastic part of the calendar for anyone visiting Yorkshire, and more information about the area can be found on yorkshire.com. Organiser Steve Dickinson summed up the feeling perfectly: “Its been an absolutely pleasurable experience organising SFS for a dozen years now, we have a solid team who turn up year in year out and make it happen, we just couldn’t do it without them, thanks to all that buy the tickets too, it’s greatly appreciated! We’ve put together another fun packed event for everyone to enjoy with a fantastic roster of guests, see you all there.”