The Lakes International Comic Arts Festival
LICAF WILL RETURN TO KENDAL FROM FRIDAY 2ND – SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2026.
Our events will include live draws, interviews, presentations, workshops, exhibitions, book launches, Little LICAF activities, a Comics Marketplace – and provide a chance to get up close to the best comic creators in the world!
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Saturday pass
Saturday 3 October 2026
Our Saturday festival pass gives you free access to premium events, access to all festival exhibitions, priority access to signings and more throughout the weekend. (Please note, this pass does not give access to specialist creator-led workshops which will be ticketed separately. More information on these events will follow in the summer.)
On the weekend of the festival, please visit the Festival Hub, located in the Foyer of the Brewery Arts Centre, 122A Highgate, Kendal, LA9 4HE, to collect your festival wristband and programme.
The Festival Hub is open from 10am to 7pm on Friday 2nd, 9am to 6pm on Saturday 3rd and 9am to 4pm on Sunday 4th October 2026.
Various locations across Kendal Town Centre - full details will be provided!
Lakes International Comic Art Festival Weekend Pass
Saturday 3 October 2026
Our weekend festival pass gives you free access to premium events, access to all festival exhibitions, priority access to signings and more throughout the weekend. (Please note, this pass does not give access to specialist creator-led workshops which will be ticketed separately. More information on these events will follow in the summer.)
On the weekend of the festival, please visit the Festival Hub, located in the Foyer of the Brewery Arts Centre, 122A Highgate, Kendal, LA9 4HE, to collect your festival wristband and programme.
The Festival Hub is open from 10am to 7pm on Friday 2nd, 9am to 6pm on Saturday 3rd and 9am to 4pm on Sunday 4th October 2026
Various locations across Kendal Town Centre - full details will be provided!
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Early Bird Pass
Saturday 3 October 2026
Our weekend festival pass gives you free access to premium events, access to all festival exhibitions, priority access to signings and more throughout the weekend. You'll have the opportunity to meet world-renowned comics creators during signing sessions and to see them in action in panels, presentations and live draw events. And of course we'll have our fantastic Comics Marketplace in an exciting new venue in Kendal Town Centre, not to mention our eclectic Festival Fringe and social programme, all included with the weekend pass. (Please note, a small number of specialist creator-led workshops will not be included with the pass and will be ticketed separately. More information on these will follow in the summer).
Various locations across Kendal Town Centre - full details will be provided!
Lakes International Comic Art Festival - Sunday pass
Sunday 4 October 2026
Our Sunday pass gives you free access to premium events, access to all festival exhibitions, priority access to signings and more. (Please note, this pass does not give access to specialist creator-led workshops which will be ticketed separately. More information on these events will follow in the summer.)
On the weekend of the festival, please visit the Festival Hub, located in the Foyer of the Brewery Arts Centre, 122A Highgate, Kendal, LA9 4HE, to collect your festival wristband and programme.
The Festival Hub is open from 10am to 7pm on Friday 2nd, 9am to 6pm on Saturday 3rd and 9am to 4pm on Sunday 4th October 2026.
Various locations across Kendal Town Centre - full details will be provided!
Artwork Portfolio Review
Saturday 18 April 2026
Bring your portfolio of artwork to be reviewed by some of the world’s most well-known comic artists, namely Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Sean Phillips (Criminal) and Michael Lark (Lazarus). Pre-booking is essential, as only 12 x 15 minute slots are available. Bring your own existing work, bring along some comic work of your own, or if you want a real challenge ask for a short piece of comic script by legendary comic writer Ed Brubaker and have a go at turning it into comic panels…
The timing of the event is shown as 2.30-3.30pm - you will be assigned a 15 minute slot with one of the artists within this time period
We know our comic artists would be interested to see work inspired by Ed Brubaker's comic script.. if you would like to try this exercise please email carole@comicartfestival.com and she will send the script.
Furness Media
Drawn to the Screen
Friday 17 April 2026
Experience live drawing with three legendary comic artists - Charlie Adlard of Walking Dead fame, Michael Lark the co-creator of Lazarus and Sean Philips whose Criminal series will soon be seen on Amazon Prime. Our artists will draw live to a variety of music from TV shows and films, with lots of insightful and entertaining chat courtesy of host Keli Lark…
Please note there will be a free bus to transport people from The Meeting Place, 121-123 Duke Street, Barrow, LA14 1XA leaving at 6pm. After the event the bus will take you back to The Meeting Place for live music from 9pm and disco until late, plus special themed cocktails (N.B. Admission to The Meeting Place after the event is 18+ only).
Please note the transport provided is a vintage bus and unfortunately is not wheelchair accessible. It is recommended that anyone with accessibility issues should go straight to the venue where there is step free access. Should you have any accessibility issues, please do let us know (carole@comicartfestival.com) so that we can inform the venue.
University of Cumbria
Lakes International Comic Art Festival- Sunday Pass
Sunday 28 September 2025
Our Sunday festival pass gives you free access to premium events, access to all festival exhibitions, priority access to signings and more. (Please note, this pass does not give access to Phoenix Fest events and workshops which will be ticketed separately. More information on these events will follow in the summer.)
Various Venues in Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria
Lakes International Comic Art Festival- Weekend Pass
Saturday 27 September 2025
Our weekend festival pass gives you free access to premium events, access to all festival exhibitions, priority access to signings and more throughout the weekend. (Please note, this pass does not give access to Phoenix Fest events and workshops which will be ticketed separately. More information on these events will follow in the summer.)
Various Venues in Bownes-on-Windermere, Cumbria
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Early Bird Pass
Saturday 27 September 2025
Our weekend festival pass gives you free access to premium events, access to all festival exhibitions, priority access to signings and more throughout the weekend. (Please note, this pass does not give access to Phoenix Fest events and workshops which will be ticketed separately. More information on these events will follow in the summer.)
Various Locations in Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria
SOLD OUT Funny Comics with James Turner- Sunday
Sunday 28 September 2025
(3.30pm - 4.15pm) Join comics creator James Turner and learn how make funny comics like a pro!
James Turner is the writer and artist of Clatters & Bump and the writer of Toby and the Pixies, and Star Cat. All of which appear in The Phoenix Comic. James is an award-winning cartoonist, who has15 years of experience working in TV and film.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
The Jetty Museum venue will be open to the public from 9.30am to 5pm.
Education Centre, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Give a Dog a Job with Marc Jackson! -Sunday
Sunday 28 September 2025
(3.30pm - 4.15pm) Join comic artist Marc Jackson and discover how to make comics like an expert, in this draw-along workshop for 7-14 year olds.
Marc Jackson is a cartoonist based on Macclesfield and the founder/director of Macc-Pow! Comics festival, now in its 10th year. He is the creator of many comics, including Duck Dare and Donald Dogsbody in The Phoenix.
Please note this venue is in a working boat dock, dress warmly in case of cold weather.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Wet Dock, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Bring Thingamajigs to life with Emily Kimbell
Sunday 28 September 2025
(1.45pm - 2.30pm) Join Phoenix comic artist Emily Kimbell, and learn to make comics like a pro in this draw-along workshop for 7-14 year olds.
Emily Kimbell is the artist and co-writer behind Thingamajigs which appears in The Phoenix comic. She began her career in animation as a background artist and designer on children’s TV shows and point-and-click adventure games. She now works in children’s books and comics.
Please note this venue is in a working boat dock, dress warmly in case of cold weather.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Wet Dock, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Create Magical Heroes with Robert Deas -Sunday
Sunday 28 September 2025
(1.45pm - 2.30pm) Join Rob Deas, creator of Fawn, and Legends of Olympus, as he guides you through how to create your very own Magical Heroes! Pencils and paper will be provided so you can draw-along and learn from The Phoenix Comic Club’s very own master creator!
Rob Deas is the creator of Fawn and Legends of Olympus which appear in The Phoenix comic. He is an award-winning UK comic artist with over 18 years’ experience in the UK comic industry. Rob is also the primary artist and series editor for the weekly drawing tutorial series The Phoenix Comic Club and the artist for The Valhalla Protocol.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
The Jetty Museum venue will be open to the public from 9.30am to 5pm.
Education Centre, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Intergalactic Monkey Business with Jamie Smart
Sunday 28 September 2025
(12.00pm - 1.00pm) Join Jamie Smart, award-winning creator of Bunny vs Monkey as ventures into the world of his latest book, Bunny vs Monkey Intergalactic Monkey Business! Learn to create comics like a pro in this draw-along event.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Old Laundry Theatre, World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
SOLD OUT Cute Magical Animals with Sam Davies -Sunday
Sunday 28 September 2025
(11.45am - 12.30pm) Learn how to draw cute and magical animals like a pro with Sam Davies, the superstar artist behind Tooth and Claw Academy for Magical Creatures!
Sam Davies is a writer and illustrator based in Oxford, UK She is the creator of Tooth and Claw Academy for Magical Creatures, which appears frequently in The Phoenix Comic. Sam is also well-known online for Stutterhug, an ongoing collection of short silent comics for soft creatures of all ages, and her graphic novel series Hex Vet.
Please note this venue is in a working boat dock, dress warmly in case of cold weather.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Wet Dock, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Doggo and Friends Get Cute with Abby Bulmer -Sunday
Sunday 28 September 2025
(11.45am - 12.30pm) Join artist Abby Bulmer as we learn to draw Doggo and friends! This draw-along workshop will help you draw like a pro!
Abby Bulmer is the artist behind Doggo, Earth Protection Force, and Claire: Justice Ninja, all of which have appeared in The Phoenix. Abby works as a freelance cartoonist and is based in Manchester. She works across comics, book illustration and animation.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
The Jetty Museum venue will be open to the public from 9.30am to 5pm.
Education Centre, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Donuts Take Over the World with Neill Cameron
Sunday 28 September 2025
(10.00am - 10.45am) Join creator of Donut Squad and Mega Robo Bros, Neill Cameron, and learn to make comics like a pro! This draw-along workshop is perfect for 7-14 year olds.
Neill Cameron is a comics writer and illustrator and creator of the best-selling Donut Squad and the award-winning Mega Robo Bros graphic novel series. He is also the author/illustrator of the popular middle-grade novels Freddy vs School, Freddy and the New Kid and Freddy the Superstar.
Please note this venue is in a working boat dock, dress warmly in case of cold weather.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Wet Dock, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Silly Squid Bits Comics with Jess Bradley -Sunday
Sunday 28 September 2025
(10.00am - 10.45am) Unleash your silly side with this draw-along session with Squid Bits artist, Jess Bradley! Paper and pencils will be provided so you can create your own silly comics like a pro!
Jess Bradley is the illustrator and writer of Squid Bits and Ravi and Jess, which appear weekly in The Phoenix comic. Jess works from her home studio and likes drawing in her sketchbooks, reading, playing video games and watching cartoons with her son.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
The Jetty Museum venue will be open to the public from 9.30am to 5pm.
Education Centre, Windermere Jetty Museum
Lakes International Comic Art Festival- Saturday Pass
Saturday 27 September 2025
Our Saturday festival pass gives you free access to premium events, access to all festival exhibitions, priority access to signings and more. (Please note, this pass does not give access to Phoenix Fest events and workshops which will be ticketed separately. More information on these events will follow in the summer.)
Various Venues in Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria
SOLD OUT Bring Thingamajigs to life with Emily Kimbell
Saturday 27 September 2025
(3.30pm - 4.15pm) Join Phoenix comic artist Emily Kimbell, and learn to make comics like a pro in this draw-along workshop for 7-14 year olds.
Emily Kimbell is the artist and co-writer behind Thingamajigs which appears in The Phoenix comic. She began her career in animation as a background artist and designer on children’s TV shows and point-and-click adventure games. She now works in children’s books and comics.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
The Jetty Museum venue will be open to the public from 9.30am to 5pm.
Education Centre, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Silly Squid Bits Comics with Jess Bradley -Saturday
Saturday 27 September 2025
(3.30pm - 4.15pm) Unleash your silly side with this draw-along session with Squid Bits artist, Jess Bradley! Paper and pencils will be provided so you can create your own silly comics like a pro!
Jess Bradley is the illustrator and writer of Squid Bits and Ravi and Jess, which appear weekly in The Phoenix comic. Jess works from her home studio and likes drawing in her sketchbooks, reading, playing video games and watching cartoons with her son.
Please note this venue is in a working boat dock, dress warmly in case of cold weather.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Wet Dock, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Funny Comics with James Turner -Saturday
Saturday 27 September 2025
(1.45pm - 2.30pm) Join comics creator James Turner and learn how make funny comics like a pro!
James Turner is the writer and artist of Clatters & Bump and the writer of Toby and the Pixies, and Star Cat. All of which appear in The Phoenix Comic. James is an award-winning cartoonist, who has15 years of experience working in TV and film.
Please note this venue is in a working boat dock, dress warmly in case of cold weather.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Wet Dock, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT Give a Dog a Job with Marc Jackson! - Saturday
Saturday 27 September 2025
(1.45pm- 2.30pm) Join comic artist Marc Jackson and discover how to make comics like an expert, in this draw-along workshop for 7-14 year olds.
Marc Jackson is a cartoonist based on Macclesfield and the founder/director of Macc-Pow! Comics festival, now in its 10th year. He is the creator of many comics, including Duck Dare and Donald Dogsbody in The Phoenix.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
The Jetty Museum venue will be open to the public from 9.30am to 5pm.
Education Centre, Windermere Jetty Museum
Livestream - Intergalactic Monkey Business with Jamie Smart
Saturday 27 September 2025
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A TICKET TO A DIGITAL EVENT. THIS IS NOT A TICKET TO JAMIE'S IN PERSON EVENT
Join us from the comfort of your own home to watch a live stream of Jamie Smart’s Intergalactic Monkey Business Workshop, live from Phoenix Fest 2025.
Join in as Jamie shares his comic-making tips and you learn how to draw your favourite characters from Jamie’s comics!
Set yourself up with a pen and pencil and get ready to learn from comic creator extraordinaire Jamie Smart!
This draw-along live stream is suitable for artists aged 7 and upwards!
As this is a digital event, you need to purchase just 1 ticket per viewing device.
Please note: This is a live stream from a live event so it’s a little bit different to the normal Phoenix Comic Club workshops. You can still draw-along at home, but there won’t be the option to join in via interactive polls.
However, we hope you’ll get a really good sense of the festival from home and will enjoy drawing along!
SOLD OUT Intergalactic Monkey Business with Jamie Smart
Saturday 27 September 2025
(1.00pm - 2.00pm) Join Jamie Smart, award-winning creator of Bunny vs Monkey as ventures into the world of his latest book, Bunny vs Monkey Intergalactic Monkey Business! Learn to create comics like a pro in this draw-along event.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Old Laundry Theatre, World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
SOLD OUT - Create Magical Heroes with Robert Deas
Saturday 27 September 2025
(11.45am - 12.30pm) Join Rob Deas, creator of Fawn, and Legends of Olympus, as he guides you through how to create your very own Magical Heroes! Pencils and paper will be provided so you can draw-along and learn from The Phoenix Comic Club’s very own master creator!
Rob Deas is the creator of Fawn and Legends of Olympus which appear in The Phoenix comic. He is an award-winning UK comic artist with over 18 years’ experience in the UK comic industry. Rob is also the primary artist and series editor for the weekly drawing tutorial series The Phoenix Comic Club and the artist for The Valhalla Protocol.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
The Jetty Museum venue will be open to the public from 9.30am to 5pm.
Education Centre, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT - Cute Magical Animals with Sam Davies
Saturday 27 September 2025
(11.45am - 12.30pm) Learn how to draw cute and magical animals like a pro with Sam Davies, the superstar artist behind Tooth and Claw Academy for Magical Creatures!
Sam Davies is a writer and illustrator based in Oxford, UK She is the creator of Tooth and Claw Academy for Magical Creatures, which appears frequently in The Phoenix Comic. Sam is also well-known online for Stutterhug, an ongoing collection of short silent comics for soft creatures of all ages, and her graphic novel series Hex Vet.
Please note this venue is in a working boat dock, dress warmly in case of cold weather.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Wet Dock, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT - Donuts Take Over the World with Neill Cameron
Saturday 27 September 2025
(10.00am - 10.45am) Join creator of Donut Squad and Mega Robo Bros, Neill Cameron, and learn to make comics like a pro! This draw-along workshop is perfect for 7-14 year olds.
Neill Cameron is a comics writer and illustrator and creator of the best-selling Donut Squad and the award-winning Mega Robo Bros graphic novel series. He is also the author/illustrator of the popular middle-grade novels Freddy vs School, Freddy and the New Kid and Freddy the Superstar.
Please note this venue is in a working boat dock, dress warmly in case of cold weather.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
Wet Dock, Windermere Jetty Museum
SOLD OUT - Monsters and Heroes with Zak Simmonds Hurn
Saturday 27 September 2025
(10.00am - 10.45am) Join Know Your Monsters creator artist Zak Simmonds-Hurn for this interactive draw-along workshop! Zac will guide you through how he creates and draws his favourite characters so you can learn all his trips and tricks!
Zak Simmonds-Hurn is an artist, best known for his work on Legacy, Dragon Guard and Know Your Monsters, all of which appear in The Phoenix. Zak is also the illustrator behind the Phoenix Fest mascot, Ember.
Drawing materials will be provided.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult who will need to buy a ticket.
The Jetty Museum venue will be open to the public from 9.30am to 5pm.
Windermere Jetty Museum (The Education Room)
LICAF Opening Night Event! - Over 18s only
Friday 26 September 2025
Our traditional Friday night opener features a fast and fun live draw ... "First off, You Couldn’t Make it Up" takes the form of a quick live draw extravaganza hosted by Bill ‘The Simpsons’ Morrison and featuring guests from Iceland, the UK, Finland, Morocco and more.
Martin Rowson then bowls in with In his completely new show "Trumped", drawing on decades of political cartooning for the Guardian. He’s hellbent on having a lot of desperately needed fun finding out…Expect cartoons. Expect jokes. Expect radical analysis, and some ranting!
The evening ends with LICAF’s Awards Ceremony featuring the Sergio Aragones International Award for Excellence in Comic Art. This event is presented in association with the National Cartoonists' Society of America. Please note this event is only suitable for over 18s
The Old Laundry Theatre (within the Beatrix Potter Experience)
Avengers: The Uncivil War - LICAF Opening Night Extravaganza
Friday 27 September 2024
Do you know how many Avengers there have been? In the movies alone the roster stands at sixteen. In the comics, well, if you include all the splinter teams, honorary members, trainees and infiltrators, there are well over 150. But who is the ultimate Avenger – the one to rule them all? Would it be the strongest, the smartest, the funniest? The one with the most compelling backstory? The best leader? Or just the one who can shout ‘AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!’ the loudest?
In Avengers: Uncivil War, LICAF’s opening event for 2024, we’re going to find out. And the ultimate arbiter will not be Thanos, Loki or even the ghost of Stan Lee. It will be you, O wielder of the live vote. Six comics experts – some of whom have actually drawn and written the hallowed annals of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – will each make the case for their own favourite Avenger. One character will be entering the Heroes’ Hall of Fame. The others will just be toxic Avengers. The debate will be accompanied by a live draw!
Old Laundry Theatre, The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
