We kicked off 2026 at Hamleys’ New Year’s Day Parade, sprinkling a little extra magic over the very start of the year.

A truly royal moment followed at the National Year of Reading launch, as Her Majesty the Queen was joined by much-loved comic book favourites Dennis and Gnasher - delighting children and sparking a wave of nostalgia for adults.

Meanwhile, Pikachu and Eevee helped launch a three-month pop-up at the Natural History Museum, celebrating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary in unforgettable style.

Our characters then stole the show at London Toy Fair, welcoming guests, posing for photos, and exploring the show floor to spread excitement throughout the venue. The highlight was the character parade, which captivated attendees and drew crowds as it wound through the halls. Smiles, laughter, and flashing cameras followed as a wave joy swept across the show floor.

With February half term just around the corner, we have plenty of exciting events lined up for the month (*events subject to change).

7^th February: Bluey & Bingo Meet & Greet - Call of the Wild Zoo, Chelmsford.

7^th  & 8^th February: Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig & Evie Pig Narration – Hertfordshire Zoo, Broxbourne

13^th February: Paddington™ Meet & Greet – Lush Covent Garden, London

14^th & 15^th February: Paddington™ Meet & Greet – Ribble Steam Railway, Preston

14^th & 15^th February: Gabby & Cakey Meet & Greet – West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley

14^th & 15^th February: Bluey Narration– Hertfordshire Zoo, Broxbourne

15^th February: Peter Rabbit Meet & Greet – Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton

15^th February: Numberblock One Meet & Greet – Hamleys Regent Street, London

16^th February: Peppa Pig & George Pig Meet & Greet - Wingham Wildlife Park, Kent

16^th February: Paddington™ Meet & Greet - West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley

17^th February: SpongeBob Meet & Greet – West Midlands Safari Park, Bewedley

17^th February: Peppa Pig Meet & Greet – Killingworth Shopping Centre, Newcastle

17^th February: Bluey Narration – Hamleys Regent Street, London

17^th, 18^th & 19^th February: Paddington™ Narration – Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster

18^th & 19^th February: Gruffalo & Child Meet & Greet - Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden

18^th February: Chase Meet & Greet – West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley

18^th February: Bluey Narration – Everyone Active, West Midlands

18^th February: Sonic Meet & Greet – Hamleys Westfield White City, London

19^th February: Bluey Narration – Hamley’s Regent Street, London

19^th February: Gabby & Cakey Meet & Greet- Wheelgate Park, Mansfield

19^th February: Catboy & Owlette Meet & Greet - The Pavilions Shopping Centre, Dublin

19^th February: Peppa Pig Meet & Greet – West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley

19^th February: SpongeBob SquarePants Meet & Greet – The Forum Shopping Centre, Wallsend

20^th February: Bluey Narration – Northcroft Lido & Chilterns Lifestyle, Hertfordshire

20^th February: Peppa Pig Meet & Greet - West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley

20^th February: Paddington™ Meet & Greet - Park View Shopping Centre, Whitley Bay

21^st February: Bluey Narration - Flitwick Leisure Centre, Flitwick

21^st February: Peppa Pig Meet & Greet: – Woburn Safari Park, Milton Keynes

22^nd February: Bluey Meet & Greet: – West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley

28^th February: Numberblock One: Meet & Greet – Hamleys Regent Street, London

We had some fantastic events last month, which definitely helped cure our January Blues.  Paddington™  spent the start of the year at Wookey Hole Caves in Somerset, the Teletubbies joined in the fun at RuPaul’s Dragcon 2025 at ExCeL London, and Zog kicked off his 15^th anniversary celebrations with a visit to The Light in Redhill for a screening of his film.

Plus, January saw the return of the annual London Toy Fair at Kensington Olympia.  Over 50 characters walked the aisles including Supertato, Ginger from Vegesaurs and Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse, who have all recently joined our licensor character portfolio and are available to book for UK events.

If you’re looking for some February half-term fun, here’s a list of events taking place this month (*events can be subject to change)…

1^st February: Bluey & Bingo Meet and Greet – Call of the Wild Zoo, Chelmsford

2^nd February: CoComelon’s JJ Meet and Greet – Ilac Shopping Centre, Dublin

3^rd February: CoComelon’s JJ Meet and Greet – Athlone Town Centre, Athlone

8^th February: Miffy Meet and Greet – Leeds City Museum

15^th February: PAW Patrol’s Chase Meet and Greet – The Works, Watford & Harrow

15^th February: Peppa Pig Meet and Greet – The Square, Camberley

15^th February: Wallace & Gromit Meet and Greet – Didcot Railway Centre, Oxfordshire

15^th & 16^th February: Sonic the Hedgehog™ Meet and Greet – Bluebell Railway

15^th - 17^th February: Bluey Meet and Greet – West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley

16^th February: Peter Rabbit™ Meet and Greet – Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Derbyshire

16^th February: CoComelon’s JJ Meet and Greet – Manor Mills Shopping Centre, Dublin

17^th – 23^rd February: Paddington™ Meet and Greet – Eden Project, Cornwall

18^th February: Bluey Narration – Hertfordshire Zoo, Broxbourne

18^th February: Sonic the Hedgehog™ Meet and Greet – St Nicholas Shopping Centre, Sutton

18^th & 19^th February: Peppa Pig Meet and Greet – West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley

19^th February: CoComelon’s JJ Meet and Greet – Pavilions Swords, Dublin

19^th & 20^th February: Bluey Meet and Greet – Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

20^th February: CoComelon’s JJ Meet and Greet – Northside Shopping Centre, Dublin

20^th February: Wallace & Gromit Meet and Greet – Animate, Preston

20^th & 21^st February: Octonauts’ Captain Barnacles Meet and Greet – West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley

21^st February: Bluey Narration – Hertfordshire Zoo, Broxbourne

22^nd February: PAW Patrol’s Chase Meet and Greet – Midland Railway, Butterley Station

22^nd February: Peppa Pig Meet and Greet – Woburn Safari Park, Milton Keynes

22^nd & 23^rd February: Bluey & Bingo Meet and Greet – Rural Life Living Museum, Farnham

With two bank holidays and a half term, May has been a busy month for character appearances.

Blue, the star of Paramount Pictures new family movie IF, walked the purple carpet at the London premiere… Pikachu cheered on 24 primary school teams at The ESFA Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup Finals at Derby Country Football Club… and Chilli and Bandit joined Bluey and Bingo to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of CBeebies Land at Alton Towers Resort!

It’s been an exciting month for Peppa Pig too.  The whole Pig family attended the opening of mainland Europe’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park in Germany and Peppa Pig attended the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas to kick start her 20^th anniversary celebrations!

As the May Half Term comes to an end, we’re looking ahead to what June has in store, (*events can be subject to change)…

1^st June: PAW Patrol’s Chase and Marshall Meet & Greet – Drusillas Zoo, Sussex

1^st June: CoComelon’s JJ and Cody Meet & Greet – Woburn Safari Park, Milton Keynes

1^st & 2^nd June: Hey Duggee Meet & Greet – Whistlestop Valley, West Yorkshire

1^st  & 2^nd June: Bluey and Bingo Activation – Mrs Dowson’s Farm, Thatcham

1^st & 2^nd June: PAW Patrol’s Rubble Meet & Greet – Smyths, Northampton (1^st June) & Smyths, Milton Keynes (2^nd June)

4^th June: Bluey Activation – Bluestone Resort, Wales

8^th June: PAW Patrol’s Rubble Meet & Greet – Smyths, Croydon

8^th June: Bluey and Bingo Meet & Greet – Puxton Park, Weston Super-Mare

8^th June: CoComelon’s JJ and Cody Rhyme Time – Old MacDonald’s Farm, Brentwood

8^th & 9^th June: Hey Duggee Meet & Greet – Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster

8^th & 9^th June: PAW Patrol’s Chase and Marshall Meet & Greet – Bluebell Railway, Sussex

9^th June: Bluey Meet & Greet – Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton

11^th June: Bluey Activation - Bluestone Resort, Wales

15^th June: Paddington™ Meet & Greet – Tanfield Railway, Gateshead

15^th June: Bluey and Bingo Meet & Greet – Sharnfold Farm, Eastbourne

15^th June: PAW Patrol’s Rubble Meet & Greet – Smyths, Stevenage

18^th June: Bluey Activation - Bluestone Resort, Wales

20^th June: CoComelon’s JJ & Cody – Swords Pavilion Shopping Centre, Dublin

22^nd June: Gruffalo Meet & Greet – Pettitts Animal Adventure Park, Norfolk

22^nd & 23^rd June: Bluey and Bingo Meet & Greet – Monk Park Farm, Yorkshire

22^nd & 23^rd June: Peppa Pig Meet & Greet – Betteshanger Country Park, Kent

22^nd & 23^rd June: PAW Patrol’s Chase and Skye Meet & Greet – Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge

28^th June: Bluey and Bingo Meet & Greet – Himley Hall & Park, Dudley

29^th June: PAW Patrol’s Chase and Skye Meet & Greet– White Post Farm, Nottingham

29^th June: Gruffalo Meet & Greet – Quex Adventure Farm Park, Kent

29^th & 30^th June: Paddington™ Meet & Greet – Rural Life Living Museum, Farnham

29^th & 30^th June: Peppa Pig and George Meet & Greet – Lightwater Valley Adventure Park, Ripon

29^th & 30^th June: Bluey Meet & Greet – Quorn & Woodhouse Station, Leicester

30^th June: Hey Duggee Meet & Greet – North Weald Station, Essex

30^th June: Zog Meet & greet – Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton