Birmingham Comedy Festival returns this Friday

Birmingham Comedy Festival returns on Friday, with nearly 100 performances across 25 venues over ten days.

The festival runs from Friday 2 October to Sunday 11 October 2026, with shows ranging from big names in large venues to up-and-coming comedians in small rooms and pubs.

Where the shows are

Venues include The Glee Club on Hurst Street, the city's dedicated comedy club, as well as theatres, bars and arts centres across the city centre and beyond. Many shows are held in Digbeth and the Southside area around the Hippodrome.

A festival with a history

Birmingham Comedy Festival was first held in 2001 and has become one of the biggest comedy events in the country outside Edinburgh. Over the years it has featured household names and helped launch local talent.

Birmingham's comic tradition

The city has produced a long line of comedians, from Jasper Carrott, whose shows in the 1970s and 1980s made the Brummie accent famous on television, to Frank Skinner and Joe Lycett. Lycett, who founded International Day of Birmingham, is one of the city's best known ambassadors.

Something for everyone

The programme usually includes stand-up, sketch, improvisation, family shows and workshops. Some events are free, while others are ticketed. Audiences are advised to check age guidance, as many shows are for adults only.

Supporting local venues

Small venues are an essential part of the comedy circuit, giving new performers somewhere to learn their craft. Festivals like this one bring bigger audiences into those spaces and help keep them going.

Tickets

The full programme and tickets are available on the festival's website and from individual venues. Popular shows often sell out, so fans are advised to book early.