Organised by Creed Conventions, the event returned for its third year on Saturday, March 28.
The family-friendly celebration of pop culture featured comics, film, TV, gaming and anime and a wide range of trader stalls selling collectibles and artwork.
Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
For Kirsty Gilbert, the event was an opportunity to showcase her handmade costume, inspired by Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
She has been cosplaying for around two years.
She said: “This is my third time at Bournemouth. I make my own costumes.
“This is my handmade costume. It’s one of my passions and I love doing it at weekends. ”
Kirsty Gilbert, Bournemouth Comic Con 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
She added: “I love meeting everyone when I am here. There are so many talented people and the costumes are always fantastic.”
Paul Maxted, from Ringwood, who works in a warehouse, said he enjoys dressing up in costumes inspired by franchises such as Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings.
Paul Maxted (Image: NQ staff)
Speaking about his outfit, Paul said he made a dragon costume himself.
He said: “I am self-taught. I have been going to comic cons since I was younger.
“I started doing big comic cons in London when I got together with my wife in 2007.
“We’ve made it a family thing now.”
Jason Noel, from London, travelled to Bournemouth for the event and said it was his first time attending.
Jason Noel (Image: NQ staff)
He has been involved in cosplay for five years and attending comic cons for nine.
He said: “For me, cosplay is about inventing something new.
“Dressing up and adding something different is amazing.”
A standout attraction at the event was ToothGuardian, a Bournemouth-based, award-winning Tooth Fairy character inspired by Rise of the Guardians.
Created by Stuart Ward, the highly detailed costume features moving parts including fluttering wings, eyes and feathers.
Tooth Guardian (Image: NQ staff)
Stuart said: “The idea came when my niece lost her tooth for her seventh birthday. She loved the Tooth Fairy, and I had the idea to make a costume and turn up to the party.
Stuart and Tooth guardian (Image: NQ staff)
He added: “Since then, we’ve been doing events like this and working with local charities.
“The artwork for her body is done in watercolours, and the head was sculpted in clay locally. I built all of this in my garden shed.
“It took me nine months to make it.”
Victoria Granville, from Shaftesbury, said attending comic cons has become a family tradition.
Victoria Granville (Image: NQ staff)
Victoria Granville with her daughter (Image: NQ staff)
She said: “We go to different cosplay events every year. I usually dress as different villains, I’ve done Ursula before and we do it as a family.
“My little girl loves dressing up and meeting people.
“She gives out presents to say thank you because people put so much effort into their costumes,” she added.