Hopetown Comic Con Darlington 2026 | Tickets, Visitor Guide & Where to Stay
Calling all Doctor Who fans, cosplayers, comic collectors, superheroes and sci-fi enthusiasts — Comic Con is coming to Hopetown Darlington!
Hopetown Comic Con 2026 takes place on Saturday 3 October 2026, transforming Darlington’s award-winning railway attraction into a celebration of Doctor Who, comics, cosplay and geek culture.
And there’s a particularly appropriate theme for an attraction built around railway history and journeys through time:
Doctor Who.
Visitors can expect a TARDIS, a Dalek, cosplay, traders, live entertainment and appearances inspired by fandoms from across the Who universe and beyond.
If you’re travelling to Darlington for Comic Con, here’s our guide to the event, tickets, what to expect, other things to do and where to stay in Darlington.
When Is Hopetown Comic Con 2026?
Save the date:
Saturday 3 October 2026
Time: 10am–4pm
Venue: Hopetown Darlington, McNay Street, Darlington, DL3 6SW
Adult tickets: £5
Child tickets: £3
Under 3s: Free
Carers: Free
All-day entry means visitors can come and go during the event rather than having to complete everything in one fixed time slot.
Doctor Who Comes to Darlington
The 2026 Comic Con has a fantastic theme for science-fiction fans.
Hopetown describes the event as a collision of time and space, with Doctor Who taking centre stage.
Visitors will have the opportunity to encounter one of television’s most famous objects:
The TARDIS
The Doctor’s iconic police box is set to land at Hopetown.
Naturally, this should provide one of the day’s most popular photo opportunities.
Whether you arrive dressed as the Doctor, a companion or simply yourself, you’ll want your camera ready.
Come Face to Face With a Dalek
There’s another rather less friendly visitor heading to Darlington.
A Dalek will be appearing at Hopetown Comic Con.
Hopefully there won’t be too much exterminating taking place.
Doctor Who fans young and old should have the opportunity to see one of the programme’s most famous villains up close.
It’s Not Just Doctor Who
Although Doctor Who is at the heart of the 2026 theme, Hopetown says the event will reach well beyond the Whoniverse.
Fans of other major fictional universes are welcome too.
That includes enthusiasts of:
- Marvel
- DC
- Star Wars
- Lord of the Rings
- Superheroes
- Science fiction
- Fantasy
- Comics
- Gaming
- Cosplay
So don’t worry if you’ve never travelled with the Doctor.
There’s room in this particular universe for everyone.
Comic Con Costume Competition
For many people, dressing up is one of the best parts of attending Comic Con.
Hopetown is encouraging visitors to arrive in costume and enter its costume competition.
There will be two categories:
Under 14s
and
Ages 14+
Trophies and certificates are available, along with something arguably even more valuable at Comic Con — bragging rights.
Whether you’re planning a screen-accurate Doctor Who costume, superhero transformation or something completely original, this is your chance to get creative.
Comic Con Traders
Collectors should leave some room in their bags.
Hopetown Comic Con will include traders selling items such as:
- Comics
- Collectibles
- Artwork
- Props
- Fandom merchandise
- Doctor Who items
- Geek-culture gifts
Confirmed trader and guest announcements are expected to continue as the event gets closer, so it’s worth checking Hopetown’s official event page before travelling.
Live Entertainment & Special Guests
Hopetown is also promising a programme of live entertainment and appearances.
At the time of writing, the full guest line-up has not yet been announced.
That’s actually useful for visitors planning ahead because it gives us another reason to check the official programme nearer the event.
Rather than relying on an old social-media post, always check Hopetown’s latest information before travelling.
Comic Con Meets Railway History
This is what makes Hopetown Comic Con particularly unusual.
You’re attending a science-fiction event at one of Britain’s most important railway heritage locations.
Darlington is internationally associated with the birth of the modern railway, and Hopetown occupies a collection of historic railway buildings.
That creates a fun combination:
Railways + time travel + Doctor Who + Comic Con.
Even if one member of your group is more interested in trains than superheroes, there should still be plenty to explore.
Explore Hopetown Darlington
Comic Con admission includes site admission to Hopetown, so visitors don’t need to purchase a separate general site ticket.
Hopetown itself contains several attractions and historic areas.
North Road Station Museum
Explore Darlington’s pioneering railway history inside a Grade II* listed Victorian station.
The Goods Shed
The historic Goods Shed acts as the gateway to Hopetown and includes the visitor welcome area, shop and café.
The Stores
Discover items from Hopetown’s huge railway collection and archive.
Darlington Locomotive Works Viewing Gallery
See railway engineering taking place and discover more about modern locomotive construction.
Skerne Bridge
Nearby you’ll find one of Darlington’s most historically important railway landmarks.
Skerne Bridge is the oldest operating railway bridge in the world and is an important surviving part of the Stockton & Darlington Railway story.
Try Experiment!
Comic Con visitors can also consider adding Experiment! to their day.
This immersive railway-themed experience plays particularly nicely with the Comic Con theme because it incorporates the idea of travelling through railway history.
Hopetown recommends booking additional experiences in advance on event days because they are expected to be busy.
Wagon Woods for Younger Visitors
Families attending Comic Con with younger children can also investigate Wagon Woods, Hopetown’s railway-themed outdoor adventure play area.
Again, Hopetown recommends advance booking for attractions such as Wagon Woods during busy event days.
That means a family could potentially combine:
Comic Con + Doctor Who + railway museum + immersive experience + adventure play
into one day.
Getting to Hopetown Comic Con
Hopetown Darlington is located at:
McNay Street
Darlington
DL3 6SW
One of the attraction’s big advantages is its connection to North Road Railway Station.
That makes travelling by public transport an option for visitors arriving from surrounding areas.
Darlington itself is also well connected via its main railway station, A1(M) and A66.
If you’re travelling from further away, consider arriving the night before rather than rushing to Darlington on Saturday morning.
Turn Comic Con Into a Weekend in Darlington
This is where Comic Con becomes particularly interesting from a visitor perspective.
Rather than travelling several hours, spending six hours at the event and immediately travelling home, why not turn it into a Darlington weekend break?
Friday 2 October
Arrive in Darlington and check into your accommodation.
Enjoy dinner in town and prepare your costume.
Saturday 3 October
Head to Hopetown for Comic Con from 10am–4pm.
Explore the event, meet fellow fans, browse the traders and discover Hopetown’s railway heritage.
Afterwards, return to your accommodation before heading into Darlington for dinner.
Sunday 4 October
Spend another day exploring Darlington or take a trip elsewhere in County Durham or North Yorkshire.
That makes the journey considerably more worthwhile, particularly for visitors travelling from outside the region.
What Else Can You Do Near Darlington?
Darlington’s geography gives Comic Con visitors plenty of possibilities if they’re staying longer.
You could visit:
- Richmond
- Raby Castle
- Barnard Castle
- Durham
- Northallerton
- Middlesbrough
- Yorkshire Dales
- North East and North Yorkshire beaches
Take a look at our Towns & Cities Near Darlington guide for ideas.
We’ve also created a Best Beaches Near Darlington map and visitor guide if you’d like to add a coastal day to your stay.
Comic Con Accommodation in Darlington
If you’re travelling to Hopetown Comic Con from outside Darlington, Room Ready Stays provides flexible accommodation in Darlington.
Our accommodation can work particularly well for people who want something different from a conventional hotel stay.
Guests can benefit from:
- Comfortable private bedrooms
- Free Wi-Fi
- Kitchen facilities
- Communal space
- Laundry facilities
- Individual room bookings
- Short stays
- Weekly and longer stays
- Group accommodation enquiries
Travelling to Comic Con as a Group?
Comic Con is exactly the sort of event where several friends might want to travel together.
That’s where our accommodation model becomes particularly useful.
Subject to availability, groups can enquire about exclusive whole-house accommodation in Darlington.
Instead of splitting everyone between separate hotel rooms or even different hotels, your group may be able to stay together under one roof.
That can be ideal for:
Cosplay groups
Groups of friends
Comic collectors
Gaming groups
Families travelling together
Doctor Who fans
And having shared space gives everyone somewhere to prepare costumes before heading to Hopetown.
Why Book Your Darlington Accommodation Direct?
Booking direct allows you to tell us exactly what you’re planning.
If there are several people travelling together for Comic Con, contact Room Ready Stays with:
Your dates
Number of guests
Number of rooms required
Whether you’d prefer individual rooms or whole-house accommodation
We can then advise you about availability.
Hopetown Comic Con 2026 – Essential Information
Here’s everything in one place:
Event: Hopetown Comic Con 2026
Date: Saturday 3 October 2026
Time: 10am–4pm
Venue: Hopetown Darlington
Address: McNay Street, Darlington, DL3 6SW
Theme: Doctor Who and wider geek culture
Adult tickets: £5
Child tickets: £3
Under 3s: Free
Carers: Free
Highlights: TARDIS, Dalek, cosplay competition, traders, entertainment and fandoms from across Doctor Who, Marvel, DC, Star Wars and beyond.
Book Comic Con Tickets
Tickets can be booked directly through Hopetown Darlington.
Because Hopetown expects attractions such as Experiment! and Wagon Woods to be busy during event days, consider booking any additional experiences you want to visit in advance.
And keep checking the official Comic Con page as the event approaches because guest, trader and entertainment announcements are still to come.
Where to Stay for Hopetown Comic Con Darlington
If you’re coming from outside Darlington, don’t let the adventure end when Comic Con closes at 4pm.
Stay overnight and turn the event into a weekend exploring the town and surrounding region.
Room Ready Stays offers flexible Darlington accommodation for solo visitors, couples, families, friends and groups.
Whether you’re arriving as a Time Lord, superhero, Jedi, wizard or simply yourself, you’ll have somewhere comfortable to return to after a busy day exploring the multiverse.
Check availability and book direct with Room Ready stays.