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Miniature Painting Competition Calendar 2027

Miniature painting competitions across UK, Poland and Europe.

I put this calendar together partly for my own use. I wanted one place to keep track of miniature painting competitions I might want to enter. Most of us know the main events, but smaller shows can be surprisingly hard to find.

Finding these events often means searching through club websites, Facebook pages and forums. The big competitions are easy to find, but smaller regional shows are easy to miss. From experience, I can say these local events can be very rewarding to attend.

This miniature painting competition calendar covers the UK in depth, from small local shows to big painting events. I’ve also included Polish competitions, since I’m originally from Poland. I hope this helps bring more attention to the miniature painting community and local events there.

For the rest of Europe, I’ve been more selective. I’ve listed some of the bigger or more interesting competitions. I’ve been to some of them already, while others are events I’m hoping to visit one day.

For the shows I’ve attended, I’ve added a little extra information. I’ve included my own notes and experiences alongside the basic event details.

Know of a competition I've missed?

If you organise or know of a miniature painting competition in the UK or Poland that I should include, please send me the details at  marta@minichixstudio.com.

Last updated: 25 September 2026

Please check before travelling. Dates, venues and competition details can change. Always check the organiser’s official website or social media before making travel arrangements.

2027 Competition Calendar

🇬🇧

27

FEB

Hammerhead Painting Competition

Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Wargaming
Judging: Podium
Official website

🇬🇧

FEB, 

TBC

South Cheshire Militaire

Nantwich, Cheshire, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Club displays · Reenactors/Cosplayers
Judging: Podium
Official website

✓ I’ve attended

This is the competition I usually start my competition year with. It’s close enough for me to travel to easily, with very friendly organisers and a relaxed atmosphere. The competition isn’t huge, but it usually has a good mix of historical and fantasy/sci-fi entries.
And the Force is definitely strong that day… The Star Wars cosplayers are one of the event’s most distinctive features.

I’ve managed to win a few medals there over the years, although it’s never guaranteed!
You can see my report from a previous show here.

🇬🇧

MAR, 

TBC

Wakefield Open Model Show & Competition

Wakefield, West Yorkshire, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Club displays
Judging: Open
Facebook

✓ I’ve attended

I only found out about this show last year, even though it has a decades-long history.
It’s a small competition, but the standard of painting is surprisingly high. I spent some quality time admiring beautiful historical and fantasy pieces.

The parking situation was a bit confusing, so it’s worth doing a little recon before travelling to find out where you can park for free.
The show is held at Wakefield Exchange across two halls, with plenty of traders and club displays.

All in all, I spent a lovely day there and even managed to snag a couple of medals ;]
Definitely a show I’ll attend again.

🇬🇧

03

APR

Poole Vikings Annual Show

Poole, Dorset, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Club displays
Judging: Podium
Official website

🇬🇧

17

APR

BMSS Annual Show

Reading, Berkshire, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Club displays
Judging: Open
Official website

🇬🇧

17

APR

Salute

London, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Wargaming · Cosplayers
Judging: Podium
Official website

✓ I’ve attended

Salute is a massive convention with plenty of traders, club displays, games and cosplayers. The event mainly targets gamers and the wider geek community, but the painting competition holds its own.

I used to attend regularly when I lived down south. Since moving, it’s a bit of a trek for a one-day show, so I haven’t been in years. From what I’ve heard, though, the competition has only grown bigger and better.
If you live closer, or don’t mind the travel, it’s definitely a show worth attending.

🇭🇺

24-25

APR

Moson Model Show

Mosonmagyaróvár, HU
Also at the event: Traders · Workshops · Club displays
Judging: Open 
Official website

🇵🇱

APR,

TBC

Migawka

Łódź, PL
Also at the event: Traders · Painting Demos · Talks · Wargaming · Food
Judging: Open 
Official website

🇬🇧

02

MAY

The Black Dragon Painting Competition

Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Wargaming · Board games · RPGs · Cosplayers
Judging: Open
Official website

🇬🇧

07-08

MAY

Miniature Painting Open

Bristol, UK
Judging: Open
Official website

🇵🇱

28-30

MAY

Kontrast Festival

Warszawa, PL
Also at the event: Traders · Painting demos · Talks · Sculpting demos
Judging: Open · Sculpting category
Official website

🇬🇧

MAY

TBC

Sword and Lance

Darlington, Durham, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Club displays
Judging: Open
Official website

✓ I’ve attended

coming soon

🇬🇧

04-06

JUN

Sir Coates Painting Masters

Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
Also at the event: UK Games Expo
Judging: Podium
Official website

🇵🇱

18-20

JUN

Złota Pyra

Poznań, PL
Also at the event: Traders · Talks · Wargaming · Card Games · Cosplayers · Artist alley  · And more
Judging: Open · Sculpting category
Official website

🇬🇧

JUN,

TBC

IronSkull Painting Competition

Brentwood, Essex, UK
Judging: Podium
Official website

🇵🇱

JUN

TBC

Babaryba

Warszawa, PL
Also at the event: Traders
Judging: Open
Official website

🇬🇧

31 JUL –

01 AUG

Fen Model Show

Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Painting demos ·  Talks
Judging: Open
Official website

✓ I’ve attended

Fen Model Show is a great new show with a very high standard of painting and international aspirations. It’s quickly becoming one of the UK’s more prominent miniature painting shows, with international participants and guests.

Due to limited space, there are only a small number of traders, but the show runs interesting painting demos and talks  throughout both days.

The Junior category is judged and awarded on Saturday, which is a nice touch, as kids usually have less patience for a two-day show.
So far, it looks like I’m only able to attend every other year, which means 2027 might be a lucky one. ;]

🇬🇧

SEP

TBC

Element Painting Masters

Stockport, UK
Competition run by the Element Games
Judging: Podium
Official website

🇬🇧

SEP

TBC

Scale Scotland

Edinburgh, UK
Also at the event: Traders · Club displays
Judging: Open
Official website

🇮🇹

SEP

TBC

Euroma

Rome, IT
Also at the event: Talks · Courses · Other activities
Judging: Open
Official website

🇪🇸

SEP,

TBC

Freak Wars

Madrid, ES
Also at the event: Traders · Club displays · Wargaming · Artist alley · Cosplayers
Judging: Hybrid
Official website

🇵🇱

25-26

SEP

Dream Neptun

Gdańsk, PL
Also at the event: Traders · Painting Demos · Talks 
Judging: Podium
Facebook

🇵🇱

OCT,

TBC

Szczeciński Paprykarz Modelarski

Szczecin, PL
Also at the event: Traders · Workshops · Reenactors · Other activities
Judging: Distinctions
Official website

🇳🇱

OCT,

TBC

Scale Model Challenge

Eindhoven, NL
Also at the event: Traders · Painting Demos · Talks
Judging: Open · Sculpting category
Official website

✓ I’ve attended

The Scale Model Challenge I attended was a behemoth of a show, with thousands of models entered and competition of a very high standard. And from what I’ve seen, it’s only getting bigger and better. Traders are well represented, so that you can find almost anything in the hobby.

The downside of a show this size is the crowds. Seeing everything takes a very long time, if it’s even possible at all. The competition uses an open judging system. It also features separate categories for sculpting, which I find quite interesting.

If you book a room at the hotel for the show, you’re lucky. But don’t worry; there’s lots of accommodation close by. The social side of the event is almost as legendary as MSS. I’m definitely planning to attend again.

🇮🇹

NOV
TBC

Monte San Savino Show

Monte San Savino, IT
Also at the event: Limited traders · Strong social side
Judging: Open · Sculpting category
Official website

Found this calendar useful?
Feel free to share it with fellow painters who might find it helpful.
I’ll keep adding competitions and updating the calendar as new information becomes available.