Clear your Saturday. Salute 53, Europe's largest independent wargaming event, takes over London's ExCeL Centre on April 11, and this year's theme is cavalry.
The show has come a long way since the South London Warlords hosted the first Salute at a pub near the Oval cricket ground back in 1972. What began as a handful of displays and demos in a south London tavern now fills a hall at one of Europe's biggest exhibition centres, with Salute 52 drawing over 7,000 visitors last year.
Expect the usual mix of UK and international traders, demonstration games from wargaming clubs, and beautifully painted dioramas you'll spend far too long staring at. The first 5,000 guests through the door get an exclusive goodie bag complete with a Salute 53 themed miniature, so early arrivals are rewarded.
The Hobby Heroes panels return with game designers, painters, and military historians sharing their craft. The painting competition, a Salute staple, will showcase entries across historical, sci-fi, and fantasy categories. And yes, there will be plenty of opportunities to blow your budget at the trade stands.
If you're in London or can get there, doors open at 9am with the show starting at 10. Under-16s go free (book a free ticket in advance), and the organisers recommend the DLR or Elizabeth Line to Custom House station over driving.
Whether you're a hardened grognard or just curious about the hobby, Salute is the kind of event where you walk in for an hour and leave five hours later carrying three boxes you didn't plan to buy.
Sources: South London Warlords | Tabletop Sentinel | Beasts of War