There are summers when Birmingham gently eases into the holidays.
This is not one of them.
From comic con costumes and Hogwarts nostalgia to immersive exhibitions, the city’s family calendar is looking gloriously geeky over the next few months. Whether you have little ones who want space adventures with Peppa Pig, or grown-ups who are absolutely not pretending to be “just taking the kids”, there is plenty to get excited about.
Better still, many of the biggest events are landing at the NEC, which means Birmingham families can get a proper day out without needing to pack the car as if they are crossing Middle-earth.
So, robes ready. Trainers on. Snacks packed. Here are some of the best family-friendly fandom dates to have on your radar from July onwards.
Start Small With Space Adventures and Big TV Energy
For younger children, Peppa Pig Space Adventure at the NEC is a cheerful place to start. Running until 8 November 2026, it brings Peppa, George and the gang into a playful space-themed experience designed for little explorers. Think gentle fun, familiar faces and the sort of outing that works nicely for families who want something colourful, interactive and not too overwhelming.
At the other end of the family-energy scale, Gladiators Experience is also at the NEC until 31 August 2026, and it sounds delightfully full-on. Inspired by the TV show, the experience lets fans test their speed, strength and nerve across Gladiators-style challenges. For parents who remember the original series, this may be one of those rare events where the children are excited and the adults suddenly become very competitive.
Is it technically for the kids? Of course.
Will Dad be taking Duel far too seriously? Almost certainly.
Add a Little Ancient Adventure
Fandom does not always mean superheroes, wizards and lightsabres. Sometimes it means stepping into a world of gold, mystery and ancient stories.
Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition is at the NEC until 13 September 2026, bringing Ancient Egypt to life through projections, VR, interactive elements and artefacts. It is a good option for older children, curious teens and families who like their days out with a bit of spectacle and a bit of “we accidentally learned something”.
It also makes a useful mid-summer alternative if you want something indoors, especially when Birmingham weather decides to perform its usual trick of offering sunshine, rain and dramatic cloud cover within the same afternoon.
Make July Your Comic Con Warm-Up
Comic Con Midlands Birmingham arrives at the NEC on 11 and 12 July 2026, and it is one of the first big fandom weekends of the summer. Expect guests, photo opportunities, props, set builds, cosplay, gaming areas, traders, artists and the happy chaos that comes with seeing Spider-Man, an anime character and a full family in matching costumes all walking in the same direction.
For families, comic con days are brilliant because everyone can approach them differently. Younger children can enjoy the costumes and displays. Teens can browse art, gaming and merch. Parents can soak up the atmosphere, take photos and quietly wonder whether it is too late to start collecting Star Wars figures again.
It is also a good practice run before the bigger August weekend. Plan your travel, agree a spending budget before entering the trader area, and remind everyone that comfortable shoes are more important than looking cool. This is the NEC. You will walk.
Keep the Hogwarts Magic Going
No summer fandom calendar would be complete without a bit of wizarding magic, and 2026 is -in Funko UK’s words- a big year for Harry Potter fans. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is running First Year at Hogwarts until 7 September 2026, celebrating 25 years of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Yes, it is a day trip rather than a Birmingham event, but for Midlands families it is exactly the kind of summer adventure that can turn into a full family memory. The Great Hall, Hogwarts Express, original props, flying lessons, Quidditch secrets and a Wizard Chess photo opportunity all make it a strong choice for children discovering the films for the first time, and adults who can still remember where they were when they first heard the words “you’re a wizard”.
Save August for the Big Fandom Weekend
If July is the warm-up, August is the main event.
MCM Birmingham Comic Con lands at the NEC from 7 to 9 August 2026, bringing together anime, film, TV, gaming, cosplay and pop-culture shopping across one very busy weekend. For Birmingham families, it is one of the easiest ways to dive into modern fandom culture without needing to travel to London or Manchester.
This is the kind of event where different generations meet in the middle. Children come for characters they know from games and cartoons. Teens come for anime, creators, cosplay and merch. Adults come for classic film, cult TV and the very real joy of seeing people celebrate the things they love without embarrassment.
That is what makes comic con culture so infectious. It is not just about buying things or meeting guests. It is about walking into a space where enthusiasm is the dress code.
A few practical notes help. Book early, check entry times, bring water, and build in quiet breaks if younger children might find the crowds a bit much. Ear defenders can be a smart idea for children who are sensitive to noise. Also, if anyone is wearing a costume with wings, armour, capes or giant props, allow extra time for everything. Especially doors.
End the Season With a Collector’s Treat
For families who love browsing, hunting and finding “just one more thing”, the NEC Toy Collectors Fair on 27 September 2026 is a lovely date to keep in the diary. The event promises stalls packed with old and new collectable toys, from action figures and LEGO to model cars, Pokémon cards, Star Wars collectables, Funko POP vinyl figures and plenty more.
This one is especially good for mixed-age groups. Younger children can enjoy the colour and variety, older kids can look for characters they recognise, and adults may find themselves pulled straight back into the toys, shows and stories they loved years ago.
It is also a nice reminder that collecting is not only about rare items or pristine boxes. Sometimes it is about finding a tiny piece of a film, game, cartoon or character that means something to you.
How to Make a Birmingham Fandom Day Work for the Whole Family
The trick with family fandom days is to make them exciting without making them exhausting.
For NEC events, Birmingham International station is often the easiest route if you are coming by train, while drivers should check parking and travel updates before setting off. For bigger events like comic cons, arrive with a plan but keep it flexible. Pick two or three must-do things rather than trying to see everything. Nobody needs a family argument next to a giant Pikachu because someone missed lunch.
Set a merch budget before you go in. Take snacks where allowed. Check age guidance. Give everyone permission to have a breather. And, most importantly, let the children lead some of the day. The best family fandom moments often happen when someone spots a character, a costume or a display that makes their face light up.
That is the real magic of Birmingham’s summer calendar this year. It is not just packed with events. It is packed with chances for families to share stories, swap favourites, discover new obsessions and come home with a few brilliant photos.
Image licenced from: nguskruklitis – Magnific.com