GEMMELLFEST: 28th February 2026.
GemmellFest 2026: A Gathering of Legends
The inaugural GemmellFest took place on 28 February 2026, bringing together members of the David Gemmell Legends Facebook community for a day dedicated to friendship, shared memories, and celebrating the life and legacy of one of fantasy’s greatest storytellers.
What began as a simple suggestion; a casual meet-up at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, quickly gathered momentum. As interest grew, the admin team realised there was an opportunity to create something truly special. The original museum visit remained at the heart of the day, while an evening celebration at Weetwood Hall Estate transformed the gathering into the very first GemmellFest.
An Afternoon of Arms, Armour and Crossbows: The day began in the impressive atrium of the Royal Armouries, where online friends met in person for the first time and long-time friends enjoyed long-awaited reunions. Before long, conversations flowed naturally as everyone explored the museum’s remarkable collection of historic arms and armour at their own pace. One unexpected highlight was the Armouries’ “Have a Go Crossbow” experience. With plenty of enthusiasm and a little friendly competition, many attendees embraced their inner Druss or Waylander, taking aim at the targets and discovering just how difficult crossbow shooting can be.
An Evening Breaking Bread, Building Friendships: After an afternoon of exploration, everyone gathered for dinner before the evening festivities began. Many enjoyed a meal together at a local Italian restaurant, while others chose the relaxed surroundings of the Brasserie at Weetwood Hall Estate. These smaller gatherings provided the perfect opportunity to unwind, continue conversations from earlier in the day, and strengthen friendships that had, until then, existed almost entirely online. By the time everyone came together again for the evening event, it already felt less like a group of strangers meeting for the first time and more like old friends reunited.