Comic Con Northern Ireland – Belfast – 2025

Background & History

Comic Con Northern Ireland, organised by Monopoly Events, is one of Europe’s largest pop culture conventions, attracting over 18,000 fans annually to the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn, near Belfast. Launched in 2022, it celebrates films, TV, video gaming, anime, cosplay, and comics, building on the success of Monopoly Events’ other UK conventions. Past guests include Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and Ian Somerhalder, with 2025 featuring stars like Christopher Lloyd and Sylvester McCoy.

The 2025 event, set for 6–7 September at the Eikon Centre, offers celebrity meet-and-greets, autograph and photo sessions, Q&A panels, cosplay competitions, and a vast exhibitor hall. Known for its vibrant community, it draws fans from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, fostering shared fandoms in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Event Highlights

• Celebrity Meet-and-Greets: 6–7 September, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, Eikon Centre, $21.35–$183 USD (autographs/photos extra).
• Panels & Q&A Sessions: 6–7 September, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Eikon Centre, $21.35–$183 USD, featuring stars like Christopher Lloyd.
• Cosplay Competitions: 6–7 September, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, Eikon Centre, free with entry, showcasing fan-made costumes.
• Merchandise & Exhibitor Hall: 6–7 September, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, Eikon Centre, $21.35–$183 USD, exclusive collectables.
• Gaming Zones: 6–7 September, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Eikon Centre, free with entry, retro and modern games.
• After Party: 6 September, 8:00 PM–11:00 PM, secret location, $13.42 USD, 18+ with DJ and cosplay.

City

• Lisburn/Belfast: Lisburn, a historic city near Belfast, blends modern venues with cultural landmarks like the Lagan Valley. Belfast, 15 minutes away, offers vibrant nightlife and attractions like Titanic Belfast.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venue:
  • Eikon Exhibition Centre: 14 Halftown Road, Lisburn, BT27 5RF, Northern Ireland (all events).
• Administrative Contact: Comic Con Northern Ireland, c/o Monopoly Events, 651a Mauldeth Road West, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 7SA, UK.
• Note: After party venue TBD August 2025; check www.comicconnorthernireland.co.uk.

Date & Duration

• Dates: 6–7 September 2025 (Saturday–Sunday).
• Duration: 2 days.
• Opening Times (Confirmed):
  • Early Entry: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (both days).
  • Standard Entry: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM (both days).
  • After Party: 6 September, 8:00 PM–11:00 PM (18+).
• Note: Full schedule TBD August 2025 at www.comicconnorthernireland.co.uk.

Venue / Location

• Eikon Exhibition Centre: Accessible venue with ramps, accessible parking (first-come, first-served), and on-site café (Vanilla Black Catering). Located 2 miles from Sprucefield, 10 minutes from Belfast.
• Additional Venues: After party at a secret location (TBD August 2025). Speculative fan meetups in Belfast TBD.
• Note: Venue details at www.comicconnorthernireland.co.uk.

Contact Information

• Email: info@comicconnorthernireland.co.uk (general inquiries).
• Phone: TicketQuarter Hotline, +44 (0)344 800 0410 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
• Website: www.comicconnorthernireland.co.uk (main); www.ticketquarter.co.uk (ticketing).
• Social Media: Follow @ComicConNI on Facebook, X; check www.comicconnorthernireland.co.uk for updates.
• Ticketing: Purchase via www.ticketquarter.co.uk or call +44 (0)344 800 0410. Contact info@comicconnorthernireland.co.uk for accessibility or group inquiries.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Purchase via www.ticketquarter.co.uk or call +44 (0)344 800 0410 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM). On-site tickets available if not sold out (higher cost). Cancellations for autograph/photo tickets if guests cancel; entry tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 GBP ≈ 1.22 USD as of August 2025):
  • Early Entry (9:00 AM):
    • Infant (0–4): Free.
    • Concession (5–9): £8 ≈ $9.76 USD.
    • Standard (10+): £22 ≈ $26.84 USD.
  • Standard Entry (11:00 AM):
    • Infant (0–4): Free.
    • Concession (5–9): £7 ≈ $8.54 USD.
    • Standard (10+): £17.50 ≈ $21.35 USD.
  • Diamond Pass (9:00 AM, queue jump):
    • Saturday/Sunday: £75 ≈ $91.50 USD.
    • Weekend: £123 ≈ $150.06 USD.
  • After Party (6 Sept, 18+): £11 ≈ $13.42 USD.
  • Autograph/Photo: £10–£90 ≈ $12.20–$109.80 USD (per guest, e.g., £90 for Andy Serkis in 2024).
  • Booking Fees: ~$1–$3 USD per ticket (speculative, based on prior events).
• Additional Notes:
  • All under-16s require a paying adult. Diamond Pass excludes autographs/photos. An entry ticket is required for autograph/photo sessions. Pricing based on provided data and web results.
  • Full pricing TBD August 2025 at www.ticketquarter.co.uk.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Celebrates Northern Ireland’s pop culture fandom.
• Events & Festivals: 2-day convention with celebrity guests and cosplay.
• Education & Learning: Panels and Q&As on film, TV, and gaming.

Cultural Significance

Comic Con Northern Ireland, since its 2022 debut, has become a cultural hub for Northern Ireland’s pop culture community, drawing fans for its high-profile guests and inclusive vibe. With over 18,000 attendees in past years, it boosts local tourism and fandom, rivalling events like MCM Comic Con. Its 2025 lineup, including stars like Christopher Lloyd, reinforces its status as a premier UK convention.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venue: Vanilla Black Catering café at Eikon Centre ($5–$15 USD); after-party bar service ($5–$10 USD, 18+).
• Nearby Dining (Lisburn/Belfast):
  • The Square Restaurant: Sprucefield Centre, Lisburn ($10–$25 USD, 5-minute drive).
  • Cutter’s Wharf: Lockview Road, Belfast ($10–$20 USD, 15-minute drive).
  • The Dirty Onion: 3 Hill Street, Belfast ($5–$15 USD, 20-minute drive).
• Alcohol Policy: Available at Eikon café and after party (18+); no outside alcohol permitted.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Free Infant tickets (0–4); Concession tickets (5–9, $8.54–$9.76 USD).
  • Family-friendly cosplay and gaming zones; under 16s require adult supervision.
• Accessibility:
  • Eikon Centre is wheelchair-accessible with ramps, dedicated parking, and accessible restrooms.
  • Contact info@comicconnorthernireland.co.uk for specific accommodations.
  • Full details TBD August 2025 at www.comicconnorthernireland.co.uk.

Getting There

• By Air: Belfast City Airport (15 km, 22-minute drive); Belfast International Airport (30 km, 30-minute drive); Dublin Airport (140 km, 80-minute drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Train: Lisburn Train Station (4 miles, 5-minute taxi to Eikon).
  • Bus: Ulsterbus to Lisburn (5-minute taxi to Eikon).
• By Car: Free parking at Eikon Centre; use postcode BT27 5RL for sat nav.
• By Taxi: Premier Taxi (+44 28 9266 6666) or Value Cabs (+44 28 9080 9080) from Lisburn Station (~$5–$10 USD).
• Rideshare: Uber from Belfast City Airport (~$15–$25 USD).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Confirmed Events:
  • Celebrity Meet-and-Greets: 6–7 September, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, Eikon Centre, $12.20–$109.80 USD (autographs/photos extra).
  • Panels & Q&As: 6–7 September, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Eikon Centre, $21.35–$183 USD, with stars like Christopher Lloyd, Sylvester McCoy.
  • Cosplay Competitions: 6–7 September, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, Eikon Centre, free with entry.
  • Exhibitor Hall: 6–7 September, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, Eikon Centre, $21.35–$183 USD.
  • After Party: 6 September, 8:00 PM–11:00 PM, secret location, $13.42 USD (18+).
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Gaming Zones: 6–7 September, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, retro/modern games, free with entry.
  • Prop/Set Photo Ops: 6–7 September, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, themed photo areas, free with entry.
• Note: Programme speculative except for confirmed events; full schedule TBD August 2025 at www.comicconnorthernireland.co.uk.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024 Highlights: Guests included Andy Serkis, Billie Piper, and Peggy (Dogpool); cosplay with £600–£1,200 costumes.
• 2023 Highlights: Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and Bernard Hill visited Titanic Belfast; 18,000+ attendees.
• Past Achievements: Rapid growth since 2022, hosting stars like Ian Somerhalder and Michael Rooker.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Eco Practices: Recycling bins at Eikon Centre; digital tickets via www.ticketquarter.co.uk.
• Note: 2025 details TBD at www.comicconnorthernireland.co.uk.

Educational Impact

• Panels/Q&As: Insights from industry stars on film, TV, and gaming ($21.35–$183 USD).
• Cosplay Workshops: Potential sessions on costume-making (speculative, TBD).
• Gaming Zones: Skill-building in retro/modern games, free with entry.

Cultural Activities

• Panels/Q&As: 6–7 September, Eikon Centre, $21.35–$183 USD.
• Cosplay Competitions: 6–7 September, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, free with entry.
• Exhibitor Hall: 6–7 September, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, $21.35–$183 USD.
• Gaming Zones: 6–7 September, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, free with entry.
• After Party: 6 September, 8:00 PM–11:00 PM, $13.42 USD.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets via www.ticketquarter.co.uk; Saturday/weekend often sell out.
• Weather Prep: September (50–60°F) is mild; pack light layers.
• Explore Locally: Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn (free, 5-minute drive); Titanic Belfast ($25 USD, 15-minute drive).
• Public Transport: Translink Smartlink card for train/bus (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.comicconnorthernireland.co.uk (no app).

Local Attractions

• Lisburn:
  • Lagan Valley Island: Civic centre and park (free, 5-minute drive).
  • Irish Linen Centre: Lisburn ($5 USD, 5-minute drive).
• Belfast:
  • Titanic Belfast: Donegall Quay ($25 USD, 15-minute drive).
  • Botanic Gardens: Free (20-minute drive).

Accommodation Options

• Lisburn:
  • Hotels: Premier Inn Lisburn ($50–$100 USD/night, 5-minute drive).
  • B&Bs: Brook Lodge Guesthouse ($40–$80 USD/night, 10-minute drive).
• Belfast:
  • Hotels: Clayton Hotel Belfast ($80–$150 USD/night, 15-minute drive).
  • Hostels: Belfast International Youth Hostel ($20–$50 USD/night, 15-minute drive).
  • Airbnb: Lisburn/Belfast apartments ($40–$120 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for the September peak.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Eikon Centre; Lisburn Urgent Care Centre (10-minute drive).
• Security: Stewards and bag checks at Eikon Centre.
• Health Protocols: Sanitiser stations; optional masks indoors; no smoking policy.
• Weather Preparedness: Indoor venue; light layers for outdoor travel.