Leicester Comedy Festival

The Leicester Comedy Festival is one of the UK’s largest and longest-running comedy events. Founded in 1994 by Geoff Rowe as a student project, it has grown into a major cultural fixture in Leicester’s calendar, typically taking place in February each year.

The festival showcases a vibrant mix of over 700 shows across 81 venues throughout Leicester and Leicestershire. It features a diverse range of comedic talent, from emerging performers to seasoned professionals, offering stand-up, sketches, musical comedy, improv, exhibitions, discussions, and workshops.

Key features of the festival include:

• The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival, running alongside the main event
• The Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition
• Special events like Comedy in the Dark and the UK Pun Championships
• Outreach and education initiatives, including workshops in schools

The festival is committed to accessibility, offering many free and ‘Pay What You Want’ performances. It also focuses on community engagement, supporting local venues and nurturing new talent. With an economic impact of around £3 million annually, the Leicester Comedy Festival plays a significant role in the city’s cultural and economic landscape.

As an open-access festival, it welcomes performers at all career stages, creating a platform for both new and established comedians. The event continues to evolve, embracing new venues and formats while maintaining its core mission of bringing laughter and entertainment to diverse audiences.