More than 700 shows in 2026 programme

Leicester Comedy Festival has announced that its 2026 theme will be The Art of Comedy, celebrates humour ‘as a true art form, standing alongside theatre, poetry, and dance in its power to inspire, challenge, and connect audiences’.

The move has a political element given the moves under way to get officialdom to recognise live comedy as its own artform, in the hope it will unlock more funding and recognition.

The 2026 festival will boast more than 700 shows, from the likes of  Maisie Adam, Ahir Shah, Sophie Duker, Sara Pascoe, Chris McCausland, Paul Merton, Milton Jones, Sue Perkins, Darren Harriott, Olga Koch and Chloe Petts.

Celebrity Traitors star  Sir Stephen Fry will be taking part in a live discussion in honour of the late Tony Slattery, the festival’s much-loved patron.

Another discussion session will feature Fatiha El-Ghorri, who is also hosting the annual preview show at De Montfort Hall on January 9.

Initiatives such as Circuit Breakers, Bridging the Gap, Leicester Comedian of the Year, Silver Stand-Up, and ther UK Pun Championships will return, while the parallel UK Kids’ Comedy Festival will feature  70 shows.

Charlotte Laidet, Festivals director at Big Difference Company, the charity behind the festival, said: ‘Leicester Comedy Festival celebrates the art of comedy in all its forms and supports any voice that needs to be heard.’

Leicester Comedy Festival runs from February 4 to 22.

Published: 29 Oct 2025