Public nominations close 5 June across 22 categories, with eight new awards and a shortlisting process supported by an expert judging panel.
The UK Theme Park Awards 2026 has opened its public nomination window, with submissions closing on 5 June. The ceremony takes place on 10 September 2026.
Theme Parks UK, the independent consumer guide behind the awards, has expanded this year’s programme to 22 public-voted categories. Headline sponsors are AttractionTickets.com and TAG Live®.
Eight New Categories
Eight new categories join the programme for 2026. They include Theme Park Personality of the Year, Waterpark of the Year and Scream Park of the Year. New seasonal additions cover Best Halloween Event, Best Christmas Event and Best Theme Park Holiday Village. Best Landscaped Theme Park and Best Theme Park Animal Exhibit complete the new additions.
Public nominations, which opened on 18 May, feed a shortlist that an expert judging panel helps compile. The public vote follows later in the year.
The Field
The awards span the full breadth of UK attractions, from major operators to independent parks. Regular contenders include Alton Towers and Drayton Manor in Staffordshire, and Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire. Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park in Surrey are also familiar fixtures. LEGOLAND Windsor in Berkshire and Paultons Park in Hampshire round out the major operator entries.
Independent parks carry significant weight in the results. Past winners include Flamingo Land in Yorkshire, Wicksteed Park in Northamptonshire and Adventure Island in Essex. Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight, BeWILDerwood and Gulliver’s Theme Parks have also featured among previous recipients. Adventure Coast Southport, Crealy in Devon and Sundown Adventureland in Nottinghamshire are among others to have won.
Content Creator and Industry Recognition
The content creator strand consolidates into a single Content Creator of the Year award. The winner joins a hall of fame now honouring 15 previous recipients.
Two Industry Excellence Awards sit outside the public vote. Theme park operators may submit nominations directly for Outstanding Achievement and Rising Star, both focused on workforce recognition.
Nominations for the UK Theme Park Awards 2026 are open now at ukthemeparkawards.com.
Image: UK Theme Park Awards
