Southport Comedy Festival sponsored feature by Stand Up For Southport
The Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport is back for its 14th year.
From the 3rd to 19th October 2025 stars from the world of comedy will descend on our lovely seaside town for 17 days of laughter.
The entire festival will be staged for a fifth year in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Events in Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show. Thousands of comedy goers came along over the last four years to enjoy the festival in a marquee and the feedback has been so good that it is all happening again but this time it’s bigger and better than ever.
The star studded lineup features literary phenomenon and ‘Godfather of Punk Poetry’ Dr John Cooper Clarke, high-energy festival favourite Jason Byrne, universally acclaimed observational joke-master Jimeoin, American comedy legend Rich Hall, multi-award-winning comedian and broadcaster Mark Steel, internationally acclaimed Irish star Ardal O’Hanlon of Father Ted fame, Persian powerhouse and star of the silver screen Omid Djalili, comedian and Strictly Come Dancing star Chris McCausland, Irish Comedy Queen Deirdre O’Kane, Host of Smash Hit Podcast ‘Have a Word’ Dan Nightingale, comedy circuit favourite Jenny Collier, star of Britain’s Got talent Jonny Awsum, hilariously outrageous clairvoyant from Phoenix Nights Clinton Baptiste and UK comedy icon Mick Miller, the beloved “bald man with the long hair” and a cherished entertainer for over 40 years
But it’s not just about the big names. The festival proudly champions new talent with the Southport New Comedian of the Year competition, a highlight of the festival, sponsored for a fourth year by Dragon Soop. And if you fancy something a little different, don’t miss the return of our special charity events Comedy Bingo sponsored by Anthony James Estate Agents, raising funds for Community Link Foundation while raising a smile and the feel-good nostalgia of the Back to the 80s Disco Bingo, supporting the Southport Flower Show. Both shows sell out every year so grab your tickets early.
Once more the festival are extremely grateful to our fantastic local and national sponsors. Without their support we just couldn’t bring you such great comedy year after year. So Folks, come along to the Southport Comedy Festival this autumn and Keep Southport Smiling!
Visit southportcomedyfestival.com for full line up, information and direct links to book tickets.
Follow us on Facebook Twitter and Instagram
Full Southport Comedy Festival 2025 Line-up
Friday 3rd October
Best of the Fest sponsored by Acorn Insurance
Featuring Dan Nightingale, Jenny Collier, Jonny Awsum and host Brendan Riley
Join us for a fantastic night of live comedy on the opening night of the festival with a triple headline show.
Dan Nightingale
Multi award winning comedian and Host of the smash-hit podcast Have A Word. As seen on John Bishop’s Only Joking, Dan’s comedy is original, playful, intelligent, poignant and exciting; sometimes ridiculous… but always hilarious.
Jenny Collier
Smart, fearless, and absolutely hilarious, Jenny is a comedy circuit favourite with international acclaim. From The Rhod Gilbert Show to The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan, Jenny’s wit and charm have lit up stages from the UK to Australia.
Jonny Awsum
As seen on Britain’s Got Talent (and with over 50 million YouTube views to prove it), Jonny’s infectious energy and feel-good musical comedy have won him fans nationwide. Guaranteed to leave you grinning from ear to ear.
Hosted by Brendan Riley
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £15.00
Age Restriction: 18+
Saturday 4th October
80’s Disco Bingo Presented by Brendan Riley
Sponsored by Halliwell Jones Kia
Raising Money for Southport Flower Show
Get ready to rewind time and dance the night away! Join us for 80’s Disco Bingo, a high-energy, interactive evening packed with classic 80s hits, laughter, and bingo with a twist, all in support of the Southport Flower Show.
Hosted by the one and only Brendan Riley, this isn’t your average bingo night. It’s a full on disco party where you can dance, sing, and dab your way to prizes, all while raising money for a great cause.
Fancy Dress is not mandatory but it is certainly encouraged!
RELAX! PLAY BINGO! WHEN YOU WANT TO HAVE FUN!
Sell out show Festival 2021,2022, 2023 and 2024
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £10
Age Restriction: 18+
Sunday 5th October
Chris McCausland – Yonks
You might have seen him on Strictly Come Dancing, Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, The Royal Variety, QI, Blankety Blank, The Last Leg, and tons more as well.
He’s been called an “overnight success” – Even though he’s been doing this for bloody yonks!
Chris McCausland is hitting the road again with another masterclass in stand-up comedy that has literally been yonks in the making.
Matinee: Door: 2.00pm, Show: 3.00pm
Evening: Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £30
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Tuesday 7th October
An Evening with Clinton Baptiste
Sponsored by Bro Design
Clinton Baptiste is the useless clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay’s smash hit comedy Phoenix Nights. Fresh from another sell-out UK tour, he’s back to deliver the best of his recent work, plus some new bits. Join Clinton for his stories, jokes plus demonstrations of his amazing ability and as always, he’ll be in the audience to give you truthful (but startling) readings from the spirit world!
Not for the faint hearted!
Plus support from Jamie Sutherland
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £20
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Wednesday 8th October
Jimeoin– Pandemonium!
Join us for a not-to-be-missed, hilarious evening with one of live comedy’s universally acclaimed true masters and festival favourite Jimeoin who returns with his brand-new show.
Jimeoin’s cheeky no-gimmicks sense of humour, superb material and broad appeal keeps audiences in stitches across the globe. He has an incredible ability to create belly laughs out of microscopically observed human behaviour.
You might be one of the hundreds of millions of fans who have viewed his online comedy clips, or perhaps you’ve seen his appearances on ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘The Royal Variety Performance’ or ‘Conan O’Brien’… but NOTHING beats seeing this Irish observational joke-master where he is most at home – live-on-stage!
“Don’t miss it! If laughter is the best medicine, Jimeoin is a course of steroids” Edinburgh Evening News
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £19.50
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Thursday 9th October
Ardal O’Hanlon – Not Himself
After an alarming experience at the supermarket, Ardal reflects on who he is as a man and a comedian. He examines his own ethnic and religious background. And thinks twice about the very core of his identity as a voice of reason. Is everything a big lie?
With no major trauma of his own to draw on for material, apart from the drag of getting older, he also turns his gaze outwards at the joys and follies of contemporary life.
Towel Animals? A.I.? Chair Yoga? Cauliflower as a main course? Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes.
No current idiocy is left un-examined. With a highly developed sense of the ridiculous, and proper comedy bones, NOT HIMSELF, is a testament to the healing power of humour. And the joy of jokes.
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £26
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Friday 10th October
Comedy Bingo sponsored by Anthony James Estate Agents
Raising funds for Community Link Foundation
Eyes Down for a fabulous night of fun(draising) for a fantastic local charity Community Link Foundation with this truly hilarious and unique event!
Comedy Bingo is a highly interactive show hosted by comedian Brendan Riley, “bouncy and engaging” The Scotsman
Sell out show festival 2022, 2023 and 2024
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £10.00
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Saturday 11th October
Mark Steel – The Leopard in My House
Join multi award-winning, BAFTA-nominated writer and comedian Mark Steel for his new tour ‘The Leopard in My House’.
The topic? His battle with throat cancer. A battle he is winning (thankfully) and which only his rapier wit could fashion a comedy tour show out of.
Cancer has done nothing to dull Mark’s acute political observations or quash his “frankly bonkers” energy: you will laugh, you will cry, but you’ll laugh again, and again, and again.
The Leopard in My House is proof that this leftie, working-class, Radio 4 favourite truly deserves his place in the UK comedy pantheon.
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £18.00
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Sunday 12th October
Omid Djalili: Namaste
The Persian Comedy Powerhouse performs his critically acclaimed show NAMASTE where Omid peacefully bows to his inner anger and unleashes a torrent of comedic vitriol upon the current state of this dangerously messed up planet.
No government gets a green card. No tyrant avoids a take down. No audience member leaves the theatre with an ounce of laughter left in them.
You have been warned.
“So hysterically funny and at the same time so poignant and powerful that calling it stand-up barely does it justice” Michael Levin, Huffington Post.
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £30.00
Age Restriction: 16+ PG
Tuesday 14th October
New Comedian of the Year 2025 Grand Final
Sponsored by Dragon Soop
The competition, now in its 15th Year, will again search the nation for 8 aspiring comedians to compete to become the next Southport New Comedian of the Year.
Dragon Soop and The Southport Comedy Festival are proud to encourage new talent and help them become the stars of tomorrow. Choosing just one winner from an array of comedy talent won’t be easy.
Hosted by Brendan Riley “A born compere” The Guardian
Dragon Soop should only be consumed by adults aged 18+. Please enjoy responsibly
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £5+BF
Age Restriction: 18+
Wednesday 15th October
Dr John Cooper Clarke
With Special Guest Mike Garry
The Godfather of Punk Poetry. A cult icon. A lyrical genius. A razor-sharp wit.
Dr John Cooper Clarke—Salford’s original punk poet performs at this year’s Southport Comedy Festival with a brand-new live show packed with classic verse, new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs, chat and the unmistakable swagger that’s made him a legend.
From the stages of the ’70s punk scene—sharing bills with Joy Division, The Sex Pistols, and The Clash—to the pages of the UK school curriculum, Clarke’s influence is undeniable. His iconic I Wanna Be Yours, famously reimagined by Arctic Monkeys, has racked up over a billion streams, while Evidently Chickentown made its mark on The Sopranos.
This is a rare chance to see one of the world’s most important and entertaining spoken word artists at his bold and brilliant best.
“One of Britain’s outstanding poets” Sir Paul McCartney
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £29.50
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Thursday 16th October
An Evening with Mick Miller
Sponsored by SB Patel
Join us for a very special night with comedy legend Mick Miller, one of our most treasured entertainers who has been at the top of his game for over 40 years. Often referred to as “The bald guy with the long hair,” Mick first came to prominence in the 70’s on the iconic ITV show ‘The Comedians’ but remains as relevant and funny today, he is one of the few comedians of his generation who has made the transition onto the alternative circuit, creating a younger fan base along the way.
This will be a masterclass in stand-up comedy not to be missed.
As seen in Kings of Comedy (Ch4), They Think It’s All Over (BBC1), Comedy World Cup (Ch4), John Bishop’s Only Joking (Sky1), Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford (ITV), Last Laugh in Vegas (ITV), and The Royal Variety Performance (ITV).
Plus support from Allyson June Smith
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £18.00
Age Restriction: 18+
Friday 17th October
Rich Hall – Chin Music
“Chin Music” has two meanings. One is idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in baseball or cricket to intimidate the batter.
Both describe Rich Hall’s comedy. Idle but intimidating. Sharp, quick, splenetic, and sublimely improvisational.
If you’ve never seen him, you need to hustle down to this year’s Southport Comedy Festival and grab a seat because he never disappoints. Ever.
As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC2) Have I Got News For You (BBC1) and QI (BBC2)
“As close as it gets to a guaranteed good show” Scotland on Sunday
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £18.00
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Saturday 18th October
Jason Byrne: Head In The Clouds
Where does he get it all from? A common phrase heard outside Jason Byrne’s show as the crowd leave with utter joy in their hearts. Jason literally has his Head in the Clouds most of the time, but thankfully, mainly when he’s on stage!
It’s laughter at its highest, as we watch Jason pull magic from his cloudy head down onto the stage. Be it, stormy stand up, calm fun or audience members with clouds literally on their heads. Come join Jason in the clouds, for a night of beautiful unpredictable, fluffy, mayhem.
“Outright King of Live Comedy” The Times
“Full on, double-up, gasping-for-oxygen hilarious” Chortle
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £28.50
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Sunday 19th October
Deirdre O’Kane: O’Kaning It
Award winning Irish TV Star, Comedian and Actress Deirdre O’Kane brings the curtain down on this year’s Southport Comedy Festival with her brand-new show O’Kaning it.
Comedic fireball Deirdre O’Kane is mad for road, mercilessly mining hilarity from the human condition. Will she conquer the chaos or revel in it? Tame the mayhem or “O’Kane it”? Either way you’re in for a night of relentless laughs fuelled by warped personal insight.
A household name in Ireland, she was a Dancing with the Stars finalist for (RTE1) and has appeared on QI, The Blame Game, Delete Delete Delete (BBC), As Yet Untitled (Dave), and Amazon’s global hit Last One Laughing with Graham Norton. As an actor she has starred in Chris O’Dowd’s Moone Boy and the acclaimed film Noble.
“Unique star quality” The Guardian
“When she exits, applause follows her all the way down the street” The Scotsman
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £19.50
Age Restriction: 14+ PG
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
