Tickets now on sale for The Bristol Comedy Festival 2026 as five Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025 Best Show nominees are announced

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Bristol Comedy Festival, running from 15th - 31st January, returning with an expanded programme, new venues and a standout line-up of award-winning and breakthrough comedy talent.

Now in its second year, the festival builds on the buzz of its debut with even more shows, stages and a stellar mix of rising stars and nationally recognised acts performing across the city.

Among the newly announced performers are five nominees for the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show: Dan Tiernan, Ed Night, John Tothill, Katie Norris and Roger O’Sullivan - the latter also named Comedian’s Choice Award Winner 2025. Norris and Tiernan both performed work-in-progress versions of their now-nominated shows at the 2025 festival.

Also joining the bill are Paddy Young, nominated for Best Newcomer in 2023 and Paul Hilleard, Bristol-based winner of the BBC New Comedy Award 2024.

The festival continues to showcase a bold mix of fresh and familiar names. Rachel Fairburn, described by Rolling Stone as “the rock’n’roll star of British comedy,” appears alongside Olga Koch, known from Mock the Week, QI and Richard Osman’s House of Games, and Rob Copland, winner of the Victoria Wood Award 2024.

Returning favourites and headline acts previously announced include Jayde Adams, Mark Watson, Jordan Brookes and Finlay Christie, alongside dozens more artists who are shaping the future of comedy.

The 2026 edition takes over a growing list of venues across Bristol, including The Crown, Mr Wolfs, The Gaffe Comedy Club, Seamus O'Donnells, Famous Royal Navy Volunteer, Small Bar, Granary Club, Kongs, Hey Dude Bar, The Hatchet, Bristol Central Library, Avery’s Wine Merchants and Strange Brew - with more to be announced.

Co-organiser Jenny Rollason said: “Last year’s festival proved that Bristol is crying out for a huge celebration of comedy and this year we’re levelling up. We’re thrilled to bring in so many award-nominated performers and rising stars alongside brilliant returning acts. The 2026 festival will be an even brighter showcase of talent and we can’t wait to share it with the city.”

Co-founder of the festival Burt Williamson added: “Bristol’s comedy scene is bold, collaborative and full of heart and this festival is all about amplifying that spirit. With new venues, new partnerships and an incredible mix of comedians, we’re creating something that feels truly Bristolian - inclusive, creative and full of surprises.”

The Bristol Comedy Festival continues its partnership with the newly unified Bristol Business Improvement District (BID), supporting events that drive footfall, fuel local businesses and strengthen the city’s cultural vibrancy.

Sabrina Shutter, Senior Project Events Manager at Bristol BID, said: “The Bristol Comedy Festival brings an incredible buzz to the city at a time of year when people need it most. It fills venues, supports local businesses and shines a light on the brilliant creative talent we have here in Bristol. We’re proud to continue our partnership with the festival as it grows and excited to see even more audiences discovering new acts, new venues and the vibrant scene that makes this city so special.”

With dozens of performances across two weeks, The Bristol Comedy Festival is fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting destinations for live comedy. Tickets for all newly announced shows are available now at thebristolcomedyfestival.com.