Big stars head to Leeds landmark

The Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival is to return to the Leeds landmark next summer, it has been announced.

The all-day event – which claims to be the largest outdoor comedy festival in the UK – will be the second to be held at the ruined 12th Century Cistercian monastery, following the inaugural gig in 2024.

Playing the July 26 show will be Jason Manford, Dara Ó Briain, Lucy Beaumont, Babatunde Aleshe, Sara Pascoe, Alan Davies, Geoff Norcott, Hal Cruttenden, Jarred Christmas  – all compered by Jarred Christmas.

The Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival is part of   a series of performances at the landmark next July including hometown indie heroes The Sunshine Underground  and Mike Skinner’s The Streets.

Andy Smith of organisers Futuresound Group said: ‘We’re so excited to be collaborating with Leeds Comedy Festival again to bring comedy back to the iconic Kirkstall Abbey

‘It’s always a pleasure to work with the city's most respected comedy promoters and, with some of the biggest names in comedy on board, this is shaping up to be a brilliant day with some household names, exciting new voices and lots more to close out an incredible run of music and comedy at the abbey.’

Locals can buy tickets now, while they go on general sale at  9am on Wednesday here, priced £58.95 to £89.20.

Published: 27 Oct 2025