The 2026 UK Theme Park Awards categories have been revealed, marking a further expansion for the annual celebration. Established to recognise, reward, and promote the very best theme parks across the UK, these industry awards serve as a benchmark for quality, innovation, and unforgettable guest experiences.
This year’s awards are proudly headlined by sponsors AttractionTickets.com and TAG Live®.
A New Era of Recognition
The 2026 awards feature 22 categories that will be decided through a combination of public voting and scores from an expert judging panel. Several new categories have been introduced this year, including Theme Park Personality of the Year, Waterpark of the Year, and Scream Park of the Year.
The full list of public-voted categories:
- Theme Park of the Year
- Best New Attraction Large/Small
- Best Theme Park for Families Large/Small
- Best Theme Park for Toddlers Large/Small
- Best Theme Park for Thrills
- Seaside Park of the Year NEW
- Waterpark of the Year NEW
- Scream Park of the Year NEW
- Best Halloween Event NEW
- Best Christmas Event NEW
- Best New Entertainment Large/Small
- Best Landscaped Theme Park NEW
- Best Theme Park Animal Exhibit NEW
- Best Theme Park Holiday Village NEW
- Best New Accessibility Initiative
- Best New Sustainability Initiative
- Best Social Media Content Large/Small
- Best Marketing Campaign Large/Small
- Best Customer Service Large/Small
- Best Value Theme Park Large/Small
- Theme Park Personality of the Year NEW
- Content Creator of the Year NEW
For the Content Creator of the Year category, the awards are searching for a fresh voice to join the prestigious Content Creator Hall of Fame, which currently honours all 15 previous winners of a Content Creator award.
Industry Excellence Awards
Beyond the public-voted categories, theme park operators are invited to submit nominations for two additional awards designed to celebrate the workforce behind the magic:
- Outstanding Achievement: This accolade celebrates professionals that have attained a truly significant career milestone by consistently delivering exceptional contributions. It serves as recognition of their enduring dedication and the impact they have made.
- Rising Star: This category is dedicated to the industry’s newest talents in the earliest stages of their professional journey. It honours those who have already demonstrated extraordinary promise, rapid growth, and a significant, positive impact.
How to Nominate
Nominations for the main categories can be made by both theme park operators and the general public. The nomination window opens on Monday 18th May and will close on Friday 5th June.
To cast your nominations or learn more about the criteria for the operator-led awards, please see ukthemeparkawards.com from Monday 18th May.
