Empire | Image: Tom Garnett
Live Action Role Play (LARP) isn’t just a niche hobby tucked away in the woods, it’s a growing global phenomenon with festivals drawing thousands of players, elaborate costuming, immersive storytelling, and entire temporary cities built from scratch. For tourists seeking a more unusual and interactive travel experience, these events offer a mix of theatre, fantasy, battle, and camaraderie. Here’s your guide to the biggest LARP events of 2026 across Europe, North America, and beyond.
United Kingdom: The Beating Heart of Fantasy Campaign LARP
Empire (Profound Decisions)
Cambridgeshire, England
Widely regarded as one of the most ambitious campaign-style LARPs in Europe, Empire combines politics, war, trade, and deep character arcs. Set in the new Steeplechase LRP Centre, the events draw thousands of players to its rich fantasy world.
Site: Steeplechase LRP Centre, near Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, CB25 9FD
2026 dates:
- Autumn Equinox: 11 to 13 September 2026
- Winter Solstice: 24 to 26 April 2026
- Spring Equinox: 12 to 14 June 2026
- Summer Solstice: 24 to 26 July 2026
Curious Pastimes – Renewal Campaign
Multiple UK locations
Another well-established UK system, Curious Pastimes offers a more combat-heavy fantasy world. Its signature event, Renewal, is a large summer gathering over the August Bank Holiday, but several other events round out the year.
2026 (Projected):
- Event 1: Early May Bank Holiday
- Event 2: Whitsun Weekend (May/June)
- Event 3: July
- Renewal (Finale): August Bank Holiday Weekend
Menhirs Fate
More intimate but rising fast in popularity, Menhirs Fate offers mystical themes and festival energy with music, rituals, and more relaxed pacing.
Site: New venue from 2026 (organisers have confirmed relocation, final details pending)
2026 dates:
- 15 to 17 May 2026
- 10 to 12 July 2026
- 25 to 27 September 2026
Fools & Heroes – Summerfest
Various chapters across the UK
A classic British system with a long history. Summerfest is the biggest weekend of the year, usually taking place over the August Bank Holiday.
Germany: Massive-Scale Fantasy LARP
ConQuest of Mythodea
Near Hanover, Germany
One of the world’s largest LARP events. Tens of thousands gather to take part in a fantasy war sprawling across villages and encampments, with hundreds of factions, monsters, and special effects.
Site: Rittergut Brokeloh 1, 31628 Landesbergen, near Hannover
2026 date:
- 5 to 9 August 2026
Drachenfest
Central Germany
This rival event to ConQuest focuses on player factions representing different dragons. Massive battles and a unique tent city make this a highlight of the European summer.
Site: Larpgelände Waldeck, Hessen
2026 dates:
28 July to 2 August 2026
France / Canada: LARP With a Festival Spirit
Bicolline – Grande Bataille
Quebec, Canada
Held near Shawinigan in a purpose-built medieval village, Bicolline is North America’s largest fantasy LARP. The “Grand Battle” week includes taverns, guild halls, tournaments, feasts, and combat between rival factions.
2026 Dates:
- August 9th to 16th, 2026
Nordic Region: The Home of Immersive LARP Design
Knutepunkt (Nordic LARP Conference)
Rotating location (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland)
While not a game event in the traditional sense, Knutepunkt is central to the Nordic LARP scene. It draws designers and players alike for workshops, talks, and experimental game design.
2026 Date:
- TBC
New Zealand: LARP in the Antipodes
Chimera
Auckland, New Zealand
The country’s biggest LARP convention, Chimera blends multiple short-format games in a single weekend, offering a great snapshot of different styles and systems.
2026 Date:
- August (exact dates pending)
Worldwide LARP Events Table for 2026
| Event Name | Country | Dates 2026 | Location / Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Winter Solstice | United Kingdom | 24 to 26 April | Steeplechase LRP Centre, Cambridgeshire |
| Empire Spring Equinox | United Kingdom | 12 to 14 June | Steeplechase LRP Centre, Cambridgeshire |
| Empire Summer Solstice | United Kingdom | 24 to 26 July | Steeplechase LRP Centre, Cambridgeshire |
| Empire Autumn Equinox | United Kingdom | 11 to 13 September | Steeplechase LRP Centre, Cambridgeshire |
| Curious Pastimes Event 1 | United Kingdom | 1 to 4 May | Paccar Scout Camp |
| Curious Pastimes Event 2 | United Kingdom | 5 to 7 June | Weston Park |
| Curious Pastimes Event 3 | United Kingdom | 17 to 20 July | Paccar Scout Camp |
| Curious Pastimes Renewal | United Kingdom | 28 to 31 August | Weston Park |
| Lorien Trust Season Events | United Kingdom | Spring to late August (dates TBC) | Locko Park, Derbyshire |
| Herofest Event 1 | United Kingdom | 8 to 10 May | Huntley Wood, Staffordshire |
| Herofest Event 2 | United Kingdom | 10 to 12 July | Huntley Wood, Staffordshire |
| Herofest Event 3 | United Kingdom | 4 to 6 September | Huntley Wood, Staffordshire |
| Menhirs Fate 1 | United Kingdom | 15 to 17 May | New site for 2026 (TBA) |
| Menhirs Fate 2 | United Kingdom | 10 to 12 July | New site for 2026 (TBA) |
| Menhirs Fate 3 | United Kingdom | 25 to 27 September | New site for 2026 (TBA) |
| Wilde Realms Event 1 | United Kingdom | 10 to 12 April | Rosswood Scout Camp, Herne Bay |
| Wilde Realms Event 2 | United Kingdom | 19 to 21 June | Rosswood Scout Camp, Herne Bay |
| Wilde Realms Event 3 | United Kingdom | 18 to 20 September | Rosswood Scout Camp, Herne Bay |
| Wilde Realms Event 4 | United Kingdom | 23 to 25 October | Rosswood Scout Camp, Herne Bay |
| UKLTA Spring Anthology | United Kingdom | TBC 2026 | The Grange, Balsall Common |
| UKLTA May Event | United Kingdom | 22 to 25 May | The Grange, Balsall Common |
| UKLTA July Event | United Kingdom | 17 to 19 July | The Grange, Balsall Common |
| UKLTA October Event | United Kingdom | 2 to 4 October | The Grange, Balsall Common |
| SOE Resistance Run 1 | United Kingdom | 7 to 9 September | Colehayes Park, Devon |
| SOE Resistance Run 2 | United Kingdom | 10 to 12 September | Colehayes Park, Devon |
| DrachenFest | Germany | 28 July to 2 August | Larpgelände Waldeck, Hessen |
| ConQuest of Mythodea | Germany | 5 to 9 August | Rittergut Brokeloh, Landesbergen |
| Chronicles of Mythodea | Germany | 30 April to 3 May | Hasenheide, Kirchlinteln |
| Greylight 2142 International Run | Germany | 21 to 24 May | Forum Bergheim Reinhausen, Duisburg |
| Greylight 2142 German Run | Germany | 28 to 31 May | Forum Bergheim Reinhausen, Duisburg |
| Brandywine Festival: Middle Earth Adventures | United States | 1 to 4 October | Venue to be announced |
| High-level Nordic/Scandinavian Events (Knudepunkt and others) | Denmark / rotating | Dates TBA | Various conference-style venues |
| Skarr LARP | Poland | Dates TBA 2026 | Usually Lower Silesia region |
| ZombieLARP / Apoc Events | United Kingdom | Dates TBA | Multiple UK abandoned / industrial sites |
| Bicolline Campaign (Canada) | Canada | Main event in early August | Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, Québec |
| Bicolline Grand Bataille | Canada | 9th to 16th August | Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, Québec |
Planning Your Trip
Many of these events require early registration and some offer early access for set-up and social days. Travellers are encouraged to:
- Book early, especially for camping spots or on-site accommodations.
- Check costume and rules requirements, some systems are full-contact or weapon-restricted.
- Join Discords or forums ahead of time to connect with groups or NPC crews.
Whether you want to fight in a pitched fantasy war, explore mystic forests, or dive into complex political intrigue, 2026 offers a global spread of LARP experiences worth travelling for.
Image credit: Thanks to Profound Decisions for help sourcing images and the photographer Tom Garnett
