The seventh edition of the UK’s leading public-vote theme park awards opens voting on 20 July, with ten new categories and a ceremony at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort on 10 September.
The UK Theme Park Awards 2026 has published its full nominee list, drawn from 28,275 public nominations across 36 parks. Voting opens on 20 July at ukthemeparkawards.com.
Now in its seventh year, the awards are organised by Theme Parks UK, an independent consumer guide, and presented in association with AttractionTickets.com and TAG Live®. The 2026 edition expands to include ten new categories, bringing the total to 22. Among the additions: Waterpark of the Year, Scream Park of the Year, Best Landscaped Theme Park, Best Theme Park Animal Exhibit, Best Theme Park Holiday Village, Theme Park Personality of the Year, and dedicated seasonal awards for Halloween and Christmas events.
The core categories – Theme Park of the Year, Best New Attraction, Best Customer Service, and Best Value – return alongside the expanded slate.
The shortlist was compiled from public nominations, reviewed by a judging panel that includes Paul Kelly, chief executive of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions; Andy Hine MBE, chairman of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain; and Sue Macmillan, chief executive of Mumsnet.
Major contenders span the country. Alton Towers and Drayton Manor in Staffordshire feature prominently, as do Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND Windsor, Paultons Park, and Crealy in Devon. A further 28 parks received multiple nominations, including Flamingo Land and Lightwater Valley in Yorkshire, West Midlands Safari Park, Gulliver’s Theme Parks across four counties, and several independent operators such as Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight and Wicksteed Park in Northamptonshire.
A Content Creator of the Year award again recognises digital output from bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, and social media creators.
The ceremony takes place on 10 September at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort.
The full nominee list is at ukthemeparkawards.com/nominees.
