King Con! Comics, games, and pop culture

10:15am to 11am Making comics with Dean Rankine

Join comic book creator Dean Rankine in a fun, interactive comic book workshop.

Start with the basics and finish with a completed comic page!

Dean has worked on many well-known comis and books including The Simpsons, Timmy The Ticked Off Pony, and Death Metal Emo Elves.

Ages 7+, limited places available - book your place on the day.

11am to 11:30am King Comic Comp Awards

Join us on the Main Stage as Dean Rankine presents the winners of the inaugural King Comic Competition.

All ages welcome, no bookings required.

11:45am to 12:45pm Jack Henseleit author talk

Join Jack Henseleit for some high-seas hijinks as he talks about his pirate series Cross Bones and takes the audience on a wild choose-your-own-adventure story.

Ages 6+, no bookings required.

1pm to 2pm Lili Wilkinson author talk

Join award winning Australian author Lili Wilkinson as she talks about her fantasy novels, A Hunger of Thorns and Deep is the Fen.

Learn about how she has create her fantasy worlds and the characters who inhabit them.

Ages 11+, no bookings required.

2:15pm to 3:15pm Squishface Studio comic workshop

Join Squishface Studio for a hands-on family friendly comic workshop.

All ages, no bookings required.

10:30am - 11am Super Hero Story Time

Come in your favourite dress up costume and join us for a super fun, superpowered story time!

Sing, dance and listen to stories read by one of our wonderful librarians.

Ages 2 to 5, no bookings required.

11:15am to 12:15pm Star Wars Empire vs Rebels

From a galaxy far, far away to Cheltenham Library, the 501st and Rebel Legions will face off in a clash of classic costumes!

The intimidating stormtroopers of Knightfall Garrison and the heroic resistance fighters of Hoth Base will be showing off their impressive cosplay, plucked straight from the Star Wars universe.

Come down and marvel at these pop culture icons, or show off your own cosplay to the professionals.

All ages, bookings not required.

12:30pm to 2:30pm Virtual Reality Experience

Walking with Dinosaurs, Swimming with Sharks! These are just some of the adventures you can explore using our virtual reality headsets.

Ages 10+, no bookings required but wait times may apply.

3:15pm Cosplay Parade

Register online or on the day with stafff by 2pm to participate. Spectators do not need to register

Dress up in your favourite costume and take part in the cosplay parade for your chance to win prizes.

Everyone is welcome to participate on the day.

All ages.

10:30am to 12:30pm Mario Kart Qualifiers

Test your skills in the qualifiers to get into the tournament!

Choose your racer and compete for your place amongst the greatest or sit back and watch the action.

All ages, no bookings required but wait times may apply.

2pm to 2:45pm, and 3pm to 3:45pm Minecraft Bedwars

Battle your friends in this spooky version of Bedwars! Defend your pumpkin while you try and destroy all the others.

Ages 8 to 12, limited placed available - book your place on the day.

10:45am to 11:45am, and 12pm to 1pm Cosplay Craft with Lumin’s Workshop

Learn about crafting cosplay pieces out of foam as you make your very own cosplay armour piece!

Ages 12+, limited places available for each session – book your place on the day.

2:00pm - 2:45pm LEGO® Builders Challenge

Help our Lego® people cross the river’s raging torrent to arrive on the other side safe and dry!

Can your bridge sustain the heavy weight of a boulder? Find out at King Con’s Lego(r) Builders Challenge!

Ages 5-12, no bookings required.

10:30am to 11:00am, and 12:30pm to 1pm Exodus Battle LARP

Witness thrilling battles and see some amazing costumes as Exodus Battle LARP demonstrates what Live Action Role Play (LARP) is all about.

These brave players will don their armour and battle each other for glory and honour!

All ages, bookings not required

11:30am to 12:00pm, and 1:30pm to 2pm Southern Rogue Saber Corps

Feel the force of Southern Rogues Saber Corps as they put on a performance that's out of this galaxy!

These master Jedi will demonstrate the awesome art of lightsaber fighting, twisting, striking and dodging in a display that would make Obi-Wan proud.

10:00am to 4:00pm Tabletop Games

Whether you're trying before you buy, or reliving a classic, there's lots to love about our board games collection!

Slip 'n' Slide with Snakes and Ladders, seek and destroy in Battleships, or build a society in Catan! There's something suitable for all ages!

All ages, no bookings required.

10:30am to 12:00pm, 12:30pm to 2pm, and 2:30 to 4pm Dungeons & Dragons

Learn to play Dungeons & Dragons.

Make some friends, defeat the villain and save the day (if you can!) in this introductory adventure for beginners.

No prior experience necessary.

Ages 12+, limited places available - book your place on the day.

2:15pm to 3:45pm Mario Kart Tournament

Test your skills in the qualifiers to get into the tournament! Choose your racer and compete for your place amongst the greatest or sit back and watch the action.

All ages, no bookings required but wait times may apply.

11:30am – 2:30pm Face painting

Fabulous face painters will be available between 11:30am and 2:30pm!

All ages welcome. No bookings required, but wait times may apply.

All day

Visit our Artist Alley where we celebrate art in pop culture. You will fin original and fan art featuring handmade self-designed and produced art such as prints' comics books, stickers, jewellery, costume pieces and handcrafted products.

Get in early for a free coffee or snack.

Enjoy a coffee or grab a snack from one of our food trucks

You must collect a voucher from staff inside Cheltenham Library on the day to claim one of the freebies, so get in quick! Other delicious items will be available for you to purchase too.