TAGS Fest pairs tabletop games with graphic storytelling for a free day at Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Edinburgh on Saturday 17 October.
What to expect
The festival advertises talks and panel discussions with arts, graphic-novel and tabletop-industry guests, plus a Board Game Zone hosted by Ancient Robot Games. Visitors can join volunteer-led bookable sessions and borrow from a free game library.
The marketplace now lists more than 40 creators across comics, graphic novels, tabletop roleplaying games, solo games, board games and zines. Illustrator and writer Jack Magee is the 2026 feature artist, with writer and musician Nyla Ahmad assisting as curation consultant.
The official site also lists an all-day board-game library, two Blood on the Clocktower sessions and three bookable 15:00 tabletop roleplaying sessions.
Talks schedule
Each talk runs for 45 minutes, and space is limited:
- 10:45, Play to Win: Can gamified narratives help you learn? Dylan Franks and Thryn Henderson, moderated by Brian Tyrrell.
- 12:30, Their Past, Our Present: Letty Wilson and Bhavani Balasubramanyam, moderated by Brian Tyrrell.
- 13:15, Rosemary’s Collection: Sarah Lippett and Maria Stoian explore a postcard archive and invite visitors to write their own cards.
- 14:30, Basic Income for Artists: Cleo Goodman discusses the Scottish Artists Minimum Income pilot and the campaign for permanent support.
- 15:45, State of the Arts: Q Manivannan MSP, Cat Laird and Judson Cowan discuss funding and publishing in Scotland’s creative landscape, moderated by Brian Tyrrell.
Check the official TAGS Fest site for full session descriptions, exhibitors and booking links. Food details and any cosplay programme remain TBA.
Entry, access and planning
The venue is Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh EH6 8RG.
TAGS Fest runs from 10:00–17:00 and is free to attend. Anyone under 16 must remain accompanied by an adult. The organiser describes an inclusive event and asks visitors to mask if they can, alongside a mutual-respect friendly-spaces policy.
The Board Game Zone has step-free access through wide double doors. RPG sessions are also reached step-free, although the route has narrow corridors and an uneven floor; a steward can assist wheelchair users through doorways. The venue has step-free toilets, including an accessible bathroom with baby-changing facilities.
Check the official website for activity booking, travel arrangements and any late changes before attending.
Cover image
This original AI-generated cover is a thematic illustration and does not depict the actual event, its venue, exhibitors or attendees.