Sir Lenny Henry leads a stellar cast of comedy royalty for Somerset’s beloved festival, now in its seventh year

The Rode Comedy Festival has revealed its full line-up for 2026. Spanning five nights of live comedy, the festival brings together some of the biggest names in British stand-up — headlined by the incomparable Sir Lenny Henry, a true icon of British comedy, making Rode his only comedy festival appearance in 2026. 

Image: Rode Comedy Festival 2026 

Joining Sir Lenny Henry in the headline slots are Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Tom Davis, Jen Brister and Iain Stirling - a line-up that punches well above the weight of a boutique Somerset festival and confirms Rode’s remarkable reputation for attracting world-class talent.

Also performing across the week are Radio 4 favourites Zoë Lyons and Tom Wrigglesworth, Tom Rosenthal star of Friday Night Dinner and Plebs, Funny Women Award winner Laura Smyth, Comedian’s Comedian Rob Rouse, and fast-rising stars Micky Overman, Josh Jones and Kyra Gray. 

All shows will be hosted by the festival’s co-founder, multi-award-winning Kiwi comedian Jarred Christmas, accompanied by world-renowned beatboxer Hobbit.

New for 2026, festival-goers can also enjoy an afternoon gameshow hosted by Jarred Christmas and Hobbit, featuring comedian Rhod Gilbert, and some very special surprise guests — in aid of local charities Dorothy House and We Hear You, a Frome-based cancer counselling charity. 

Rode Comedy Festival was founded by comedian Jarred Christmas and arts marketer Amelia Christmas, after the pandemic brought live events to a grinding halt. Seven years on, Rode Comedy Festival has grown from an impromptu passion project into one of the most talked-about comedy events in the South-West.

General sale tickets launch at 10am on Tuesday 5 May 2026.