Brace yourselves for laughter as the Bristol Comedy Festival makes its triumphant return in 2026, bringing an impressive lineup of over 150 live performances to the city! This vibrant event will take place over the next two weeks, starting from Thursday and running through the end of January.
The festival promises to showcase a diverse array of comedic talent at various venues throughout Bristol, featuring both emerging comedians and established stars like Maisie Adam, who is currently gaining significant recognition in the comedy circuit. Jacob Burley, one of the festival's co-organizers, expressed his excitement about hosting someone of Adam's caliber at this pivotal moment in her career. "It’s monumental for us to have Maisie Adam here," he noted. "Equally important is our commitment to making room for exceptional up-and-coming acts, allowing us to highlight the wealth of talent that is flourishing in today’s comedy scene."
In addition to the array of performances, the festival will also see the highly anticipated return of the Bristol Comedy Competition for its second year. This competition sees comedians compete head-to-head in a series of heats, culminating in an exciting final showdown to determine the victor. Burt Williamson, a co-founder of the festival and a local comedian himself, highlighted the significance of this contest as a platform for new voices in comedy. "Our goal with the competition is to elevate fresh talent and provide comedians with a genuine opportunity to perform in front of engaged audiences," he remarked.
Williamson added, "Last year's participants set a remarkably high standard, and we’re eager to see which talented individuals step into the spotlight for 2026." The semi-finals are scheduled to take place at The Comedy Box, while the grand finale will be hosted at The Bristol Folk House on the evening of January 30.
Among the performers slated for this year’s festival are well-known names such as Jonny Pelham, Harriet Dyer, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Sara Barron, Bella Hull, and Stuart Goldsmith, alongside international talents like Sam See, Celya AB, Chelsea Birkby, Ben Pope, and Rosalie Minnitt. Audiences can look forward to seeing JoJo Maberly, last year’s winner of the Bristol Comedy Competition, gracing the stage once again.
A highlight of this year’s festival will be the King Street Takeover on January 20, where the street will transform into a hub of comedy, featuring shows across different venues, with comedians moving from one location to another. Notably, proceeds from this event will benefit TAP for Bristol, a charity focused on addressing homelessness in the area.
Additionally, the festival will feature "Made in Bristol," an exciting showcase celebrating local talent by spotlighting working-class comedians who hail from the city. Sabrina Shutter, the senior project events manager at Bristol BID (Business Improvement District), emphasized the festival's importance, stating, "The Bristol Comedy Festival injects fantastic energy into the city during a time when it is much needed. It fills venues, supports local businesses, and showcases the creativity that makes Bristol such a lively destination for residents and visitors alike."
She further asserted that the festival truly "puts Bristol on the map as a premier location for live comedy."
What do you think about the role of local festivals in supporting community talent? Are events like these vital for the cultural fabric of a city? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
