This is the first review of a day out that I’ve posted on the blog. I thought I’d start with this one because i’ve had such great experiences with this event every time I’ve been to it.
Long before I started my parenting journey (well, it wasn’t that long before but it sure feels like it!), I attended Em-Con (based in the East Midlands), which has become one of the biggest conventions in the UK.
I remember it like it was yesterday. A friend informed me that there were plans for a brand new sci-fi and pop culture convention in Nottingham. Lots of special guests were attending, including most of the main cast of Red Dwarf (one of my comfort shows!).
We immediately booked tickets. Having never been to a convention before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. We arrived and the queue was massive. And by massive, I mean it reached right around the entire venue and poured out onto the street. Many people were in costumes – a group of Ghostbusters, a couple of Stormtroopers here and there.
It was a chilly day. I’ll admit that when we got into the queue, I was worried about how long we’d have to wait to even get anywhere near the entrance of the Albert Hall, where the event was being held. Even the organisers hadn’t realised just how popular this convention would be, because the number of people who attended that day far exceeded the venue’s capacity of 700.
Saved by Stormtroopers!
We waited a total of two hours to get in, but the atmosphere was great and the Stormtroopers kept us entertained. Despite me being intolerant of the cold, it was worth it. A group of people in front of us became impatient and left the queue and years later, I can’t help but think about how much they missed out on.
We made it into the venue just in time for a question-and-answer session with the Red Dwarf cast. This was a great experience, especially for hardcore fans of the series. Afterwards, we met the cast. They were friendly and approachable, allowing guests to take selfies in addition to signing autographs and taking time to chat with each person.
Other attendees included actors from Doctor Who, Star Wars and much more.
That was back in 2014 and since then, Em-Con has seen considerable growth, not only in its popularity but also in its guests. Actors from the Harry Potter movies, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air have all attended the event in recent years.
The Q&A’s are worth it!
The question-and-answer sessions are one of the highlights of the convention. Hearing the guests talk about their experiences filming the TV shows and movies that they’ve starred in is an interesting experience. Especially if you’re a fan of a particular series or movie and want to hear some stories of what happens behind the scenes!
Since the event was already popular to begin with, the organisers made the wise decision to move it to a bigger venue the following year, with the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham now being its home.
Stalls and sets to suit everyone!
In addition to the guests, there’s also a wide selection of stalls for people to browse. You can buy t-shirts, merchandise from movies and TV shows, toys, games, art, trinkets, books, posters and so much more.
One of my favourite features of the convention is the re-created movie and TV sets that visitors can take pictures of. Over the years these have included The Tardis, the bunk room from Red Dwarf and sets from The Walking Dead. There are even zombies wandering around (they’ve crept up on me and made me jump SO many times (check them out on Facebook – Z Walkers Official – they’re amazing!).
Indulge in a bit of cosplay
If you love fancy dress, then you’ll love Em-Con. There’s a cosplay competition, with the convention encouraging visitors to dress up as their favourite TV show or movie character. We haven’t dressed up (yet!) but we love seeing all the different costumes.
The venue offers plenty of choices for food and drink and is fully accessible. We usually grab a hot drink or snack and then go elsewhere for a meal (Annie’s Burger Shack is just up the road, where the convention holds after-parties).
The early bird escapes the massive queue!
After that very first experience back in 2014, we learned our lesson and now always purchase an early entry ticket. This allows entry from 10 am and enables us to avoid the queue! Tickets can be purchased on the door on the day, but it’s better to book in advance. The convention gets VERY busy, especially on the Saturday! Early entry tickets, along with general entry tickets, weekend tickets and VIP passes can be purchased from Em-con’s website.
Even if you aren’t a massive sci-fi fan, I’d still recommend purchasing a ticket for the experience. It’s an enjoyable day out for people of all ages and will keep the kids entertained for a few hours if you’re looking for a fun family event over the weekend.
And best of all, it’s free for children aged under 9!!
We’ve attended every single convention since 2014 and we’ve enjoyed every single one!
Em-Con takes place every year over a whole weekend, usually in May or June. This year’s event is on the 8th and 9th of June.
We can’t wait!
