My Comic Con Liverpool 2026 Experience

Stranger Things, Cobra Kai, Sci‑Fi Legends, 90s Royalty & A Weekend I’ll Never Forget

Comic Con Liverpool 2026 was one of those rare weekends that feels like stepping into a mash‑up of every fandom you’ve ever loved. Across 2nd–3rd May, the Exhibition Centre was buzzing with cosplay, collectibles, and a guest list that somehow blended Hawkins, the Valley, Starfleet… and Beverly Hills High.

Yes — that Beverly Hills High.

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⭐ The Stranger Things Line-Up: A Hawkins Reunion

Stranger Things fans were spoiled this year. Meeting so many cast members back‑to‑back felt like walking through a portal straight into Hawkins.

Noah Schnapp (Will Byers)

Warm, funny, and genuinely lovely — Noah made every fan feel seen. Meeting the emotional core of Stranger Things was surreal.

Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair)

Priah brought pure Erica energy: sharp, hilarious, and full of personality. She had the whole queue laughing.

Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair)

Caleb radiated charisma and kindness. His interactions felt personal and full of warmth.

Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler)

Sweet, enthusiastic, and clearly loving the con atmosphere — Nell was a joy to meet.

Joe Chrest (Ted Wheeler)

Funny, relaxed, and exactly as delightfully clueless as Ted Wheeler should be (in the best way).

Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler)

Elegant, warm, and incredibly gracious — Cara was a standout presence.

Derek Turnbow (Jake Connolly)

Friendly and engaging, Derek was a great addition to the Stranger Things roster.

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🥋 Cobra Kai Takes the Mat

The Cobra Kai guests brought a whole different kind of hype — energetic, nostalgic, and full of martial‑arts swagger.

Dallas Dupree Young (Kenny Payne)

Dallas was upbeat, friendly, and full of enthusiasm. A total star.

Yuji Okumoto (Chosen Toguchi)

Meeting Yuji felt like meeting martial‑arts royalty. Calm, iconic, and unforgettable.

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🎤 A 90s Icon: Alicia Silverstone (Cher Horowitz)

This was a moment.

Alicia Silverstone — the queen of 90s teen cinema, the woman who gave us “Ugh, as if!” — was an absolute dream. She was warm, funny, and radiated the same effortless charm that made Cher Horowitz a cultural icon. Meeting her felt like stepping straight into a Clueless montage, minus the yellow plaid (sadly).

She brought a whole new dimension to the con — a hit of pure nostalgia that had every 90s kid internally screaming.

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🚀 Sci‑Fi Royalty: William Shatner (James T. Kirk)

Meeting William Shatner deserves its own spotlight. Captain James T. Kirk himself — a living legend whose presence alone commanded the room. Seeing him in person felt like witnessing a piece of television history. A true honour.

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🎭 Cosplay, Community & That Comic Con Magic

The atmosphere was electric:

• Hawkins kids everywhere
• Cobra Kai gis and headbands
• Starfleet uniforms worn with pride
• 90s fashion tributes to Cher
• Horror icons lurking in the corners
• LED wings, armour builds, and props that deserved awards

Comic Con Liverpool always delivers, but this year felt extra special — a celebration of creativity, fandom, and shared joy.

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🛍️ Merch Madness

Let’s just say… the wallet didn’t survive unscathed. Between Stranger Things prints, indie art, horror collectibles, and a few irresistible nostalgia pieces, the haul was glorious.

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💫 Final Thoughts

Comic Con Liverpool 2026 was everything I love about fandom culture: community, nostalgia, creativity, and the thrill of meeting the people who bring our favourite worlds to life. From Noah Schnapp to Alicia Silverstone, from Cobra Kai stars to William Shatner, it was a weekend packed with unforgettable encounters.

I left with aching feet, a lighter wallet, and a heart absolutely full.

And honestly — I’m already counting down to the next one.

 

One of the unexpected highlights of the weekend happened between the photo ops and celebrity meet‑and‑greets. As I wandered through the trader stalls — taking in the artwork, the collectibles, the handmade pieces, the retro finds — I ended up chatting with several traders who showed real interest in collaborating with KOOLTHINGS.

We talked future products. We talked exclusives. We talked fandom‑fuelled ideas that would fit perfectly with the KOOLTHINGS brand.

It was exciting, inspiring, and a reminder that Comic Con isn’t just a celebration of pop culture — it’s a hub of creativity and opportunity. So yes… keep your eyes peeled. There are new and seriously exciting products coming soon to KOOLTHINGS, and this con played a big part in making that happen.