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

🚨 Show registration for Leicester Comedy Festival 2026 is now LIVE 🚨 Acts, venues and promoters must register their shows by Friday 3rd October 2025 to be featured in our brochure on launch day. For support visit our Take Part website: https://comedy-festival-takepart.co.uk/

"In the list of odd events such as the world worm-charming championships, the world wife-carrying championships and chess boxing, we should never forget The UK Pun Championships" 🎟️ https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/the-uk-pun-championships-2/

Calling all performers and venues! Show registration goes LIVE on Wednesday 27th August at 10am ⏰ We can't wait to welcome you to Leicester Comedy Festival in 2026 🥳

From the archive: The late Alan Seaman at The Shed, 1997. Alan was a huge part of Leicester's comedy community and his contributions to our festival over the years are never forgotten - he is very much missed by all of us. @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

From the archive: Rob Kemp with Barbara Nice, accepting the Best Show award for The Elvis Dead at the Leicester Comedy Festival Awards at The Registry, 2017. @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

Artists, performers, venues, promoters - calendars at the ready? 🗓️ We're just a few weeks away from registrations for Leicester Comedy Festival 2026 starting, so make sure you're up to date on our key dates! 🙌 Find out all the details by joining our Broadcast Channel on Instagram!

In case you missed it, we've recently had a bunch more shows go on sale as part of our Early On-sale, including Chloe Petts, Joe Kent-Walters and Jarred Christmas 😍 Check them out and book tickets via https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/ 📸: Jack Gleadow at Peter Pizzeria, 13/02/22

From the archive: Alexei Sayle at the festival in 2014. | @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

A storming set from Leicester Comedian Of The Year 2024 winner Eva Bindeman at this year's gala preview show in January 👏 Tickets for our 2026 preview are on sale now: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/the-gala-preview-show-4/

We're delighted to announce our continued partnership with Leicester City Council for Leicester Comedy Festival 2026 🙌 This partnership supports the sustainability and longevity of LCF and also allows us to continue vital work with emerging talent and in communities around Leicestershire 💕

From the archive: Jasper Carrott in conversation with Geoff Rowe at De Montfort University, 2013. | @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

We're still on the lookout for new venues to join Leicester Comedy Festival in 2026 👀 You'll join a vibrant community of pubs, cafes, libraries, cinemas, galleries, pizzerias and more who all come together in Feb to make Leicester special 💕 📨 Email [email protected] to get involved!

ON SALE NOW: The UK Pun Championships🥊 👉 Join us as top comedians from across the country compete for the crown of UK Pun Champion, voted for by you - the audience. There's nothing quite like it. 🗓️ 09/02/2026 Tix: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/the-uk-pun-championships-2/

From the archive: Arnab Chanda, Keith Carter as Nige, Jim Smallman, Count Arthur Strong, Russell Howard, John Ryan, Topping & Butch, Rhod Gilbert, Shappi Khorsandi & Jason Byrne at De Montfort Hall, 2007. | @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

Leicester Comedy Festival is delighted to announce its continued partnership with @dmuleicester as main sponsors ahead of our 2026 festival. This unique and long-running partnership highlights Leicester's rich cultural history and indentity. See you in 2026!  🎉

We're not saying Jenny Eclair is definitely the first person to wear yellow crocs on the Curve stage, but we're yet to see evidence to the contrary 👀

Calendars at the ready? 📝  We're delighted to confirm our on-sale dates for 2026 festival with early on-sale for Friends of Leicester Comedy Festival on 29th October and general on-sale 31st October - spooky! 🎃 See you there? 👋

From the archive: Brett Goldstein accepting Best New Show award at the Leicester Comedy Festival Awards, 2013. | @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

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: Sarah Millican at De Montfort Hall, 2006. | @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social  | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

In case you missed it - last week we launched our Friends Of Leicester Comedy Festval membership for 2025/26 🫶 Benefits include zero booking fees, early on sale, exclusive discounts and more! To become a friend head to: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/merch/friends-of-leicester-comedy-festival/

Friends of Leicester Comedy Festival is back, and (surprise surprise) it's better than ever!! 🎟️  🍊 We've managed to squeeze even more perks into the membership tiers, take a look or become a friend of the festival at: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/merch/

From the archive: Romesh Ranganathan at the LCF Awards, 2013. | @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social  | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

Friends, some exciting news is coming this Friday. There's a hint as to what it might be within this post👀 Ominous! Mysterious! As always, find out first by joining our mailing list via: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/mailing-list-sign-up/

From the archive: Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins at De Montfort Hall, 2006. | @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social | 📸: Leicester Comedy Festival Archive

The LCF Summer Roadshow (this is definitely a real thing) rolls on, and we're delighted to be bringing the laughter to @glastonblabymusicfestival 🤣 See you there? Tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glastonblaby-charity-music-festival-2025-tickets-967545303047?aff=oddtdtcreator

Not every day does someone pour a Pot Noodle in front of a sell out crowd at De Montfort Hall ⏲️ We loved Metroland's hilarious set at this year's Gala Preview Show 🤣 Tickets are selling fast for our 2026 preview. Book now: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/the-gala-preview-show-4/

Another summer comedy fix coming your way TOMORROW at Nevill Holt Festival ☀️🎪 This unmissable showcase brings together the very best of this year’s Leicester Comedy Festival. Tickets still available at: https://nevillholtfestival.com/events/leicester-comedy-festival-presents/

From the archive: Alan Davies backstage at Haymarket Theatre, 1997. | @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social  | Photo by Shami Doshi

Hot off the back of being crowned UK Pun Champion as part of this year's festival Will BF returns as part of our bumper lineup at @nevillholtfestival starring LCF favourites THIS FRIDAY 🙌 Grab your tickets at: https://nevillholtfestival.com/events/leicester-comedy-festival-presents/

COMEDY. PIZZA. ICE CREAM. WE DO IT ALL 👊 Ok. We don't do pizza or ice cream but that's why we've got our friends at Superturbo 🍕 and Gelato Village🍦 joining us this weekend 🌻 📍 UoL Botanic Garden 📅 This Saturday, 16:00-21:30 🎟️ https://thebigdifference.co.uk/events/lcf-in-the-botanic-garden/

The afternoon of Saturday 14th June is looking HOT HOT HOT - isn't it convenient that's when we're bringing comedy to the botanic gardens? 🤔 📍 University of Leicester Botanic Garden 📅 Saturday 14th June, 16:00-21:30 🎟️ https://thebigdifference.co.uk/events/lcf-in-the-botanic-garden/

Last week, we bidded farewell (and see you soon) to Katherine, our Senior Partnerships & Events Associate 💕 Katherine has been at the heart of all that we do for almost 11 years, we are so grateful for all that Katherine has done for BDC, and all of us will miss her relentless optimism & smile 💖

THIS WEEK 🫨 LCF In The Botanic Garden is rolling into town with the hilarious Hannah Platt, Jack Gleadow, Chantel Nash, Dane Buckley, Josh Pugh, Jen Nolan and Hasan Al-Habib 🌻 📍 UoL Botanic Garden 📅 Saturday 14th June, 16:00-21:30 🎟️ https://thebigdifference.co.uk/events/lcf-in-the-botanic-garden/