MCM Comic Con Birmingham at the NEC might be a big draw for adults and teens, but there’s far more to the event than you might expect, with plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
While Comic Con is often associated with superheroes, cosplay and celebrity guests, we quickly discovered it’s much more than that. Whether your children are obsessed with gaming, anime, Marvel, Pokémon or simply love getting creative, there’s something happening around every corner, making it one of the most exciting family days out.
The first thing that struck us was the atmosphere. Even before we walked through the doors, there was an incredible buzz, with families, friends and dedicated fans proudly showing off costumes ranging from Disney princesses to Star Wars characters and everything in between. You literally can spend a day people-watching and the extraordinary efforts so many people go to is inspiring. Even if you’re not dressed up yourself, it’s impossible not to smile at the creativity and enthusiasm in this safe space.
For younger visitors, one of the highlights is The Treehouse – MCM’s dedicated family area. Our younger members of the family loved stopping for arts and crafts, face painting and interactive activities, while the Kids Cosplay Showcase gave little superheroes, princesses and anime fans the chance to take centre stage. It’s a lovely reminder that Comic Con isn’t just for adults, children are actively encouraged to get involved too.
One of the biggest surprises was just how much there is to do beyond browsing the exhibition halls. Throughout the day we watched live wrestling, listened to gaming and entertainment panels, explored independent artist stalls and browsed everything from collectibles and books to handcrafted gifts.
There are also opportunities to meet voice actors, creators and stars from some of the biggest names in television, film and gaming, adding another level of excitement for fans.
For a full day’s entertainment, MCM Comic Con offers excellent value, particularly for families. With children aged four and under admitted free and tickets for younger children available at a reduced price, it’s an affordable way to spend a day together during the school holidays.
Because there’s so much to see, we’d definitely recommend arriving early, wearing comfortable shoes and allowing plenty of time to explore. We easily spent several hours wandering between halls and still felt there were things we hadn’t managed to see.
For more information on Comic Con, which is on at different cities throughout the year, visit here.
