What Is The Demons Wake Social Deduction Convention In York?

Ever played a game where you have to figure out who the secret baddie is? Maybe you've shouted at the TV during The Traitors, or accused your best mate of being the impostor in a video game. That feeling of suspense, trying to read people and figure out who's lying, is the magic of social deduction games. And it turns out, there's a massive get-together for people who love exactly that.

It's called Demons Wake, and even though the 2025 event is completely sold out, it's worth knowing about because it's quickly becoming a huge deal. It's a whole weekend dedicated to these kinds of clever, backstabbing games, bringing a huge community of players to the city of York for an unforgettable experience.

What is Demons Wake anyway?

Imagine this: over 500 people from all over the world gather in one place for three whole days. Their mission? To lie, deceive, and betray each other... all in the name of fun, of course. That's the basic idea behind Demons Wake. It's officially Europe's biggest convention for social deduction games, and it's taking over York St John University from August 8-10, 2025. The final tickets were all gone by June, which shows just how excited people are for this.

So, what are social deduction games? Think of them as live-action mystery puzzles. In most of these games, a small group of players are secret 'traitors' or villains, while everyone else is on the 'good' team. The good guys have to work together, talk, and deduce who the traitors are before it's too late. The traitors, meanwhile, have to blend in and secretly sabotage the group. It leads to hilarious arguments, clever bluffs, and amazing moments of discovery. Demons Wake is a celebration of all these immersive games, creating a space where attendees can play non-stop and meet others who share their passion for a bit of friendly deception. This event is all about building a community around these exciting games.

You might recognise some of these guests

One of the coolest things about Demons Wake is that it's not just about playing games with strangers; attendees get to play with some pretty famous faces from the world of social deduction. Fans of the hit BBC show The Traitors are in for a treat. Three stars from the series - Ivan Brett, Zack Davies, and Rayan Rachedi - will be there. And they won't just be signing autographs. These special guests are getting stuck in, playing games with attendees and sharing their own experiences of being professional traitors (and faithfuls!).

It doesn't stop there. The guest list also includes the team from the popular YouTube channel, No Rolls Barred. They're famous for their brilliant videos where they play board games with incredibly high stakes and lots of laughs. So, attendees could find themselves in a game right next to them. On top of that, there will be well-known Twitch streamers and even Ken Cheng, the clever chap who won ITV's The Genius Game. It's a brilliant chance for fans to meet their heroes and maybe even try to outsmart them in a game of wits. Having these guests makes the whole experience feel even more special and adds another layer of excitement for the whole community. It's a key part of what makes Demons Wake's take on social deduction so immersive.

So, what's actually happening over the weekend?

A weekend at Demons Wake is absolutely jam-packed. There's so much more to do than just play a single game. The organisers have made sure there's something for everyone, whether they are a seasoned pro or brand new to social deduction games. The attendees are truly spoilt for choice.

Here's a little taster of what's on offer for the guests:

• A massive games library: There's a huge collection of board games available to borrow. Attendees can grab a classic they love or try something completely new. It's a great way to discover new favourites.
• Games with the stars: This is a big one. People can actually sit down for games with the guests from The Traitors, The Pandemonium Institute (who are masters of the game Blood on the Clocktower), and the No Rolls Barred crew. It's a chance to see if you can bluff a professional bluffer.
• Live shows and panels: It's not all gameplay. There are live events running all weekend. These include fascinating panels like 'Being a Traitor' and 'Games for Entertainment', a community-building panel, and even a storytelling workshop. Plus, there's a live, on-stage performance of the popular game Blood on the Clocktower called Clocktower: Live!.
• Costume contest: Many attendees love to get creative and dress up as their favourite characters from the games. There's a contest with prizes for the best and most imaginative costumes.
• Charity raffle: It's also about giving back to the community. The event includes a charity raffle to raise money for the York LGBT Forum, supporting a fantastic local cause.
• Trader zone: For anyone looking to take some games home, there's a trader area full of independent sellers. People can find unique games, cool accessories, and all sorts of themed merchandise. It's the perfect place to find a souvenir of a weekend of immersive fun.

This huge variety of activities ensures that everyone attending has a brilliant time, making it much more than just a series of games. It's a full-on festival of social deduction.

It's more than just games, it's a community

While the lies and betrayals of the games are fun, the real spirit of Demons Wake is about something much more positive: community. The organisers have worked hard to create an event that feels welcoming and inclusive for everyone. It's a place where strangers can become friends over a shared love of tabletop games.

Ryan, one of the organisers, put it perfectly. "We're incredibly proud of what we've created with Demons Wake," he said. "It's a space where fans of social deduction and immersive experiences can connect, play, and celebrate together, no matter their background or circumstances."

This focus on the community is what sets it apart. It's not about being the best player or winning every game. It's about sharing the experience. Matt, another organiser, added to this, explaining the bigger picture. "The tabletop games community is very vibrant, diverse and growing rapidly. Demons Wake is about creating welcoming and accessible spaces for people to make friends and memories," he said. "We can't wait to welcome all of our guests to Demons Wake."

This shows that the heart of the event is the people. It's about making sure all attendees feel safe and comfortable, allowing them to relax and have a fantastic time. This commitment to building a friendly and open community is why so many people are drawn to the event and why it has become so popular so quickly. Whether someone is a secret traitor or a faithful townsperson in a game, they are part of a much bigger, supportive group of fellow gamers in the real world of York.

With a passionate community, celebrity guests, and a jam-packed schedule of live events and immersive games, Demons Wake has cemented its place on the UK's gaming calendar. For anyone who missed out on the sold-out 2025 convention, there's always next year. The mailing list for the 2026 event is already open, so fans of Traitors and all things social deduction can be first in line for the next round of lies, laughter, and incredible memories.