Cosplay and Re-enactor costume and weaponry regulations

Help us help you to stay safe. What one person considers as perfectly safe or appropriate will not apply to everyone. The rules for World’s Edge Fantasy Fayre 2026 are as follows.

Decency

No nudity or overtly sexual costumes, e.g. BDSM outfits.

No visible genitalia including fake or prosthetics.

Skimpy costumes are fine where appropriate to the character (e.g. Bikini Leia), but consideration must be made to the possibility of a costume malfunction to prevent accidental public nudity.

The basic rule here is if it’s more revealing than standard swimwear then it is probably too revealing. Keep your nipples*, genitals and bum covered please! If you have any doubt about your costume, then send us a message about what you’re planning and we will help.

*Breastfeeding mothers are the only exception.

General rules

Large costumes that will make the wearer unaware of their environment are allowed, but these must be accompanied by a guide to make the wearer and other people around them safe from accidental collision.

Our staff, including our security team, will not allow any costumes or participants in offensive make-up or costumes on site that may cause serious offence. This includes but is not limited to hate symbols, gore, extremism, race-based impersonation or deliberate references to traumatic real-world events. We are aware that this is open to interpretation to some extent, so if you are unsure, please submit details. We will reply asking for a photo of your costume (worn) and any make-up effects that you think may be seen as offensive and we will give you our decision before you come. Please contact us as far in advance as possible - in the week or two before the event, the team will be very busy creating an amazing world for you to enjoy!

Weaponry

We have split this section into what is allowed by Cosplayers and what will be allowed by reenactors in attendance.

Firstly, if you have not been invited, by the event organisers (Paladin Events Ltd), to attend as part of a reenactment group to provide displays and you are not on our list then our security team will not allow you entrance as a reenactor. Reenactment groups will be asked for details of attendees before the event so we can ensure security.

All other attendees, in costume or not, who are carrying weapons will be treated under the Cosplay part of this regulation.

Reenactors (for approved reenactors only):

• Any weaponry that you require to bring as part of your registered display must be deactivated (if a firearm) or blunt and without points (for melee weapons) and kept under constant supervision. We fully support you offering visitors the opportunity to hold the weapons, but this must be under close supervision.

• Reenactors’ firearms may be real and deactivated, or replica, and do not require the orange muzzle. There will be no firearms shooting during this event, so please do not bring ammunition other than dummy rounds to demonstrate the operation of the weapon.

Cosplayers (for everyone else):

The following weapon types and construction materials are strictly banned from our event; all weapons will be inspected on entry and kept securely until you leave if found to contravene this regulation.

• Bats, either wooden or metal (vespertilian creatures are fine!🦇)

• Metal daggers or other blades

• Wooden swords or bokken

• Replica, deactivated or live firearms

• Working airsoft or BB guns - even if you have taken the battery/cyclinder out

• Prop guns of any construction that do not have an orange muzzle cap. The team will have ample orange tape, so if you lose your cap in the car park please find a member of staff or volunteer..

• Ammunition of any kind, including Nerf darts, BBs, Caps etc: no ammunition whatsoever will be allowed entry to the event unless it is brought by an approved reenactor under reenactors’ rules (see above).

• Bows and crossbows that are capable of launching a projectile. Prop bows that, when drawn, do not put the limbs under tension are allowable.

• Arrows with sharp points.

Blunt arrows in quivers are acceptable, preferably secured in place.

Polearms, quarter staffs, spears and other long weapon props must be of LARP materials and if over 1.8m in length be able to be disassembled without tools if asked by a member of staff, volunteer or member of the security team. E.g. a scythe must be able to have the blade removed without tools.

Further to this, any weapon that is banned under UK legislation, no matter who brings it, will be confiscated by a member of the security team and the Police will be informed.