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 2025 across Europe, North America, and beyond.
United Kingdom: The Beating Heart of Fantasy Campaign LARP
Empire (Profound Decisions)
Buckinghamshire, 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 sprawling field site at Dadford Road Campsite, the events draw thousands of players to its rich fantasy world.
2025 Dates:
- Winter Solstice: 25–27 April
- Spring Equinox: 13–15 June
- Summer Solstice: 25–27 July
- Autumn Equinox: 12–14 September
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.
2025 (Projected):
- Event 1: Early May Bank Holiday
- Event 2: Whitsun Weekend (May/June)
- Event 3: July
- Renewal (Finale): August Bank Holiday Weekend
Menhirs Fate
Bygrave Woods, Hertfordshire
More intimate but rising fast in popularity, Menhirs Fate offers mystical themes and festival energy with music, rituals, and more relaxed pacing.
2025 Dates:
- 4–6 April
- 9–11 May
- 15–17 August
- 26–28 September
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.
2025 Dates:
- 6–10 August (early arrival possible from 3 August)
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.
2025 Dates:
- Tue, 29 Jul 2025 – Sun, 3 Aug 2025
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.
2025 Dates:
- August 10th to 17th, 2025
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.
2025 Date:
- March 13th to 16th
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.
2025 Date:
- August (exact dates pending)
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, 2025 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
