With support from Equity, we're delighted to be supporting 6 comedians through Bridging The Gap in 2026, providing them with a financial bursary, waived festival fees, and a hotel stay 🫶 👉 Showcase tickets: https://events.comedy-festival.co.uk/events/bridging-the-gap-2/

Performers: this week is your FINAL CHANCE to apply for The UK Pun Championships 2026 Find out more and apply at: https://comedy-festival-takepart.co.uk/the-uk-pun-championships

We're on the lookout for passionate volunteers to be part of bringing joy to the masses throughout February. Join our team and help make Leicester Comedy Festival 2026 a fantastic celebration. Register your interest at https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/work-with-us

Leicester Comedy Festival brochures are available in all of our festival venues, as well as some cafes, bars and more in Leicester City Centre and Leicestershire 👀 It's also available to view online via comedy-festival.co.uk 🔗

You're invited to enjoy the art of comedy with us this February. From big names, traitors, taskmaster stars, all the way to the best emerging talent on the cicruit. We're proud to be a diverse & open-access festival that champions comedy in all its forms. https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/

Planning to see a lot of shows this February? Our Friends of The Festival membership package saves you money with access to: 🎟️ 2 for 1 tickets ❌ No booking fees 💸 Exclusive offers and discounts Become a friend at: https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/shop

In case you missed it: last week we launched the Leicester Comedy Festival programme with over 700 shows coming to Leicestershire this February 🫢 You can view the full programme online at https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/ or pick up a brochure at any of our festival venues 👋 4-22 February 2026

Want to join the fun? Late Registrations for Leicester Comedy Festival 2026 are open now 👏 Whether you missed the brochure deadline, or are simply keen to join the fun, we're now welcoming further show registrations through @eventotron.bsky.social  Register at: https://hello.eventotron.com/

Have you got your hands on a brochure yet? They should have popped up in all of our festival venues, as well as cafes, bars and more in Leicester City Centre. It's also available to view online at: https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/festival-programme

In its more than 30-year history the Leicester Comedian Of The Year competition has been won by the likes of Johnny Vegas, Romesh Ranganathan, Rhod Gilbert & Jason Manford. Tickets available at: https://events.comedy-festival.co.uk/events/leicester-comedian-of-the-year-competition-2026/

Our new range of merchandise includes prints, totes, tees and more 👜  Pre-orders before 1st December receive special early-bird pricing and delivery before Christmas. Take a look at: https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/shop

It's time to Enjoy The Art Of Comedy. Leicester Comedy Festival general on sale is now open 👋 Book tickets at: https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/

Pick Of The Fest last night was 🧑‍🍳 🤌 Thanks to @rachelfairburn, @alexandrahaddow, @ericrushton96 & @comedylopez for being brilliant ⭐ Tickets & full programme available at https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/ 📸: Pete Martin

From the archive: Bill Bailey at Leicester Comedy Festival, 1997. 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social

The Priority Booking Window is exclusively available for Friends Of The Festival, which includes additional perks such as no booking fees, 2-for-1 tickets, and more. Become a friend today: www.comedy-festival.co.uk/shop General on sale 31st October at 10am. https://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/

Did you know Leicester Comedy Festival is run by registered charity Big Difference Company? The festival wouldn't be possible without the support of a community consisting of hundreds of acts, promoters, local venues, but also, without the support of our sponsors. Thank you ❤️

Tickets for Leicester Comedy Festival 2026 are now available for Friends of the Festival as part of the 48 hour priority window 🫶 👉 General on sale opens Friday 31st October at 10am. View the programme and become a friend at https://comedy-festival.co.uk/

Tomorrow, 10am.

I'm not panicking. You're panicking. 10am tomorrow. 📸: Wendy Wason at The Exchange Bar, 12th February 2025.

4-22 February 2026. 100 days to go. Our brochure launches this Wednesday. Keep your eyes peeled 👀 https://comedy-festival.co.uk/

👉 With our full programme reveal right round the corner, it's the perfect time to grab a ticket to our Gala Preview Show on Friday 12th January 2026. This is your first chance to see some of the stars of Leicester Comedy Festival 2026 👀 https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/the-gala-preview-show-4/

We’re bringing the laughter to Blaby District and Harborough District this February, watch out for our BIG Weekends: 👉 Harborough - 11th-15th February 👉 Blaby - 17th-22nd February The BIG Weekend brochure will launch alongside the LCF brochure on 29th October at 10am 🥳 📸: @julian_b_photos

From the archive: Shaparak Khorsandi at The Y Theatre, 2006. @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social

You don't want to miss this. It's just one week until we reveal our programme for 2026. Set your reminder: Wednesday 29th October, 10am. 📸 Romesh Ranganathan at De Montfort Hall, 2019.

Priority booking starts 29th October exclusively for Friends of the Festival 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 LCF and TUKKCF are run by charity Big Difference. Support us by becoming a Friend, and enjoy a range of perks from as little as £25 per year. https://comedy-festival.co.uk/merch/friends-of-leicester-comedy-festival/

From the archive: The UK Pun Championships at De Montfort Hall, 2018. @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social

Not long now - our brochure launches on Wednesday 29th October at 10am 😲 Don't want to miss out? Sign up to our mailing list via https://comedy-festival.co.uk/mailing-list-sign-up/

From the archive: Ninia Benjamin at Haymarket, 2006 @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social

Registrations for Leicester Comedy Festival 2026 are now closed 🚫 Looking at the lineup this morning has got us feeling a bit giddy. It's going to be another fantastic year. HUGE thank you to everyone who was involved in our registration period. We couldn't do this festival without you ❤️‍🔥

Squeaky bum time. Today is the final day to register a show for Leicester Comedy Festival 2026.  We're busy, we're up against it, but we're here to help you: registration information is available at https://comedy-festival-takepart.co.uk/ or you can contact us at [email protected] 🫡

THIS COULD BE YOU! Think of the relief once you finally click Finalise on @eventotron.bsky.social. Bliss. Festival registrations close TOMORROW! https://comedy-festival-takepart.co.uk/ 📸: Phil Nichol at De Montfort Hall, 2020.

From the archive: Ed Gamble at Sue Townsend Theatre, 2018. 📸: Crosscut Media

📣 There is just one week left to finalise your registration for Leicester Comedy Festival 2026! 🧑‍💻 Shows must be registered via @eventotron by Friday 3rd October 2025. Visit our Take Part website for tips, advice, and all the links you'll need: https://comedy-festival-takepart.co.uk/

From the archive: A poster promoting Leicester Comedy Festival, 1999.  📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

We are delighted to announce BID Leicester as a sponsor for LCF 2026 🎉  Their valued support allows us to continue delivery of both Leicester Comedy Festival & The UK Kids' Comedy Festival, contributing towards our vital work with communities across Leicester and Leicestershire.

⏰ CLOSING TOMORROW ⏰ The Bridging The Gap fund provides a suport package that covers show-related expenses such as travel, accomodation and festival fees, and also offers performance opportunities as part of the Bridging The Gap Showcase. 👉 Apply now via https://forms.gle/UXYyKhaVUbfwWDd56

Our sister festival, @kidscomedyfest.bsky.social , provides all the laughs of LCF for children and young people aged 0-18 🎉 It runs alongside LCF between 4-22 February 2026, keep an eye out for award winning shows, big names, workshops and interactive events to be announced Wednesday 29th October 👀

From the archive: Sara Pascoe in interview at De Montfort University, 2018. Interested in the history of live comedy? Fill out our archive survey before 19th September so we can continue our archive work: https://forms.gle/Tp8hmZZQP3q6WfVu8 @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: Crosscut Media

Say it with me: I will get my show registered before 3rd October 😌 Still plenty of time to get it done and relax. All registration info can be found on our Take Part website here: https://comedy-festival-takepart.co.uk/ See you in February! 🥳 📸 Sophie Duker at @theytheatre.bsky.social , 2025

The Bridging The Gap fund provides a suport package that covers show-related expenses such as travel, accomodation and festival fees, and also offers performance opportunities as part of the Bridging The Gap Showcase. Apply now via: https://forms.gle/UXYyKhaVUbfwWDd56 (closes 24/09/25)

From the archive: Arthur Smith, Legend of Comedy awardee Sir Ken Dodd OBE & Geoff Rowe at Festival Awards, 2014. Interested in the history of live comedy? Fill out our archive survey before 19th September: https://forms.gle/Tp8hmZZQP3q6WfVu8 @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: LCF Archive

Have you signed up to the Leicester Comedy Festival mailing list? 📨 👉 Our mailing list is the place to get all the information about upcoming shows and our big brochure reveal first. Sign up now via: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/mailing-list-sign-up/ 📸: Alex Camp performing at The Exchange, 2025

We had a calendar malfunction* so instead of celebrating 150 days until LCF 2026 we are now celebrating 148 days until LCF 2026 🎊🫣 Tickets for early-on-sale shows are available now: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/ *Blaming technology is easier than blaming ourselves

Applications are now open for our 2026 Bridging The Gap fund 💕 👉 Bridging The Gap supports comedians from underrepresented groups or otherwise facing barriers to entry in performing at LCF. For full details, eligibility criteria and to apply, head to: https://forms.gle/UXYyKhaVUbfwWDd56

How it feels to have gotten your LCF 2026 shows registered way ahead of the deadline 🎊 Don't panic - there's still time to get it done and put your feet up. All registration info can be found at: https://comedy-festival-takepart.co.uk/ 📸: Colin Leggo wins The UK Pun Championships, 2019.

From the archive: Bridget Christie performing at Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year at The Y Theatre, 2004. Interested in the history of live comedy? Fill out our survey before 19 Sept here: https://forms.gle/Tp8hmZZQP3q6WfVu8 @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

Can't wait for our full brochure to be released? We have a limited number of shows available to book now, with more being regularly revealed 👀 Take a look at the shows on sale now: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/ 📸: Arthur Smith at De Montfort Hall, 2020

To help us further develop the heritage aspect of our work, looking at both Leicester Comedy Festival but the wider live comedy sector as a whole, we need your help answering our new archive survey 📝 Fill it out here: https://forms.gle/Kmkqr7WiTYgK4eja6 (closes Friday 19th September) Thank you 💛

Stand Up Challenge returns! 🎤 We've wrangled 8 willing/nervous/brazen (delete as appropriate) local participants to take part, whilst raising money for Big Difference Company, the charity behind LCF 💕 Donate on JustGiving here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/standupchallenge2025

From the archive: Leicester Comedy Festival brochure cover, 1995. 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive