Southport Comedy Festival 2024: Everything you need to know for 17 nights of laughter

Don’t miss the Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones MINI when it returns this Friday for its 13th year – and here’s everything you need to know! 

When does Southport Comedy Festival take place? 

From 27th September 2024 to 13th October 2024 stars of the comedy world will descend on the lovely seaside town of Southport for 17 fun filled days of laughter.

Where is it held? 

The entire festival will be staged for a fourth year in a giant luxury heated and fully seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees in Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show. All seating is unreserved, if you have special requirements please see the Accessibility section below.

How can I book tickets? 

Visit southportcomedyfestival.com for full line up, information and direct links to book tickets.

Follow Southport Comedy Festival on Facebook Twitter and Instagram

Who is performing? 

The star studded lineup includes undisputed godfather of modern stand-Up Ben Elton, TV superstar Jason Manford, German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn, American Comedy Legend Rich Hall, Festival favourites Jason Byrne, Jimeoin, Godfather of Political Comedy Mark Thomas, Star of ITV’S The Chase Paul Sinha ‘The Sinnerman’, comedy stars of TV Jo Caulfield ,Hal Cruttenden, Ria Lina, Patrick Monahan, Comedy Circuit favourites The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Review, Rising local star Katie Tracey, host of smash hit podcast ‘Have a Word’, Dan Nightingale and one of the UKs most treasured entertainers Mick Miller. 

Four shows have already sold out and others are selling fast so make sure to grab your tickets for the shows you want to see while they are still available!

The festival is also supporting the stars of tomorrow with the return of the Southport New Comedian of the Year Competition, sponsored for a third year by Dragon Soop. The final takes place on Sunday 6th October with 8 comedians selected from over 100 applicants from around the country battling it out for the coveted title. This event is always a highlight of the festival.

The festival is proud to support charity fundraising. This year it will be ‘raising money while raising a smile’ with special charity events planned for two great local charities Southport Flower Show and Community Link Foundation, this event is sponsored by Anthony James Estate Agents for a second year.

Entrances

Entry to the Festival is via the Esplanade Entrance to Victoria Park, PR8 1RX. The pedestrian entrance is by the Splash World roundabout where Victoria Way and the Esplanade converge. The entry for vehicles and passengers is opposite Southport Park and Ride 

Parking

On-site parking is free of charge for festival ticket holders.

There are a limited number of spaces for Blue Badge holders closer to the venue. These spaces are unreserved and allocated on a first come first served basis. Please show your badge to the car park marshall on arrival and you will be directed to the disabled car park.

Accessibility

The Festival will take place in Victoria Park in a bespoke luxury heated marquee built on a grassed area. Access to the marquee is on paved paths and the marquee will have level hard flooring. There may be low ramps to negotiate at the entrances. 

All seating is at ground floor level. The Festival makes use of toilet block facilities normally used for the Southport Flower Show. These are situated outside close to the marquee and both male and female toilets have a disabled adapted cubicle. Access to the toilets is via paved pathways.

All shows are fully seated and general seating is unreserved, if you have any special requirements such as wheelchair space please contact organisers via the website in advance and they will do our utmost to accommodate you.  

Please be aware that shows can be noisy with spontaneous loud laughter, clapping, music and various public address announcements. 

Organisers want our less able customers to enjoy our shows without barriers. If this means you need a carer to accompany you to an event, they may be able to accommodate this at their discretion at no additional charge subject to availability and appropriate supporting documentation.

Please contact them before purchasing your ticket to ensure your needs can be accommodated. You can open a contact form by clicking here

Food and drink 

There will  be a fully licensed bar courtesy of Elite Marquees Bars.

Food will be available for purchase pre show and at the interval. 

Important rail travel information

Due to essential engineering works at Southport Station there will be a Rail Replacement service operating between Formby and Southport between 5th – 14th October. For Comedy Festival ticket holders using the train on these dates please allow extra time when planning your journey. A timetable for the affected dates is available on the Merseyrail web site. 

Full Southport Comedy Festival 2024 line up 

Friday 27th September

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 and 2023

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm

Price: £10.00+BF

Age Restriction: 16+ PG

Saturday 28th September

Mark Thomas

Gaffa Tapes

Jokes, rants, politics, play and the occasional sing song.

If you don’t know what he does ask your parents.

In his time he has won awards (current total is now officially ‘f**kloads’), forced a politician to resign, changed laws on tax and protest, become Guinness Book of Records world record holder for number of protests in 24 hours, taken the police to court three times and won, walked the length of the Israeli Wall in the West Bank and generally mucked about trying to have fun and f**k the right people off.

“Mark Thomas in essence, is a brilliant investigative journalist disguised as a comedian…very funny indeed” Daily Telegraph

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm

Price: £18.50+BF

Age Restriction: 16+PG

Sunday 29th September

Big Comedy UK Presents Best of the Fest featuring Jo Caulfield and Hal Cruttenden Sponsored by SB Patel

Two of the comedy industry’s most celebrated comedians and stars of TV and Radio come together for one fantastic night of comedy as part of this year’s Southport Comedy Festival.

Jo Caulfield

“Quite simply one of the most consistently funny and creative comics in the country” Guardian

Hal Cruttenden “An absolute joy to watch…fabulous” The Scotsman

As seen on Have I Got News for You (BBC1), Mock The Week (BBC2), Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Live at the Apollo (BBC2).

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm

Price: £17.00+BF

Age Restriction: 18+

Tuesday 1st October

Big Comedy UK Presents An Evening With Mick Miller

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

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm

Price: £15.00+BF

Age Restriction: 18+

 Wednesday 2nd October

Dan Nightingale and Fiends

After two hugely successful national comedy tours, host of the smash-hit Have A Word Podcast Dan Nightingale is doing something a little different in 2024: He’s hosting a run of shows with some of his favourite comedians on the bill.

With Dan doing what he does best and some of his very funny Stand-Up friends (or fiends) smashing sets… you won’t want to miss out, these shows will be the very best type of comedy mayhem.

This show features Mike Rice, Eshaan Akbar and Dean Coughlin with Dan hosting

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm

Price: £15.00+BF

Age Restriction: 18+

Thursday 3rd October

Henning Wehn

Acid Wehn

Award-deserving German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn takes an unbiased look at climate change, a topic sure to delight audiences and no surprise. After all, everyone loves talking about the weather. Rain or shine, all will be fine. Or maybe it won’t. Who knows?! Come along. Or else.

“Wehn has given us an understanding of German quirks” King Charles III

“You couldn’t make it up” Henning himself

Henning’s most recent television and radio appearances include Have I Got News For You (BBC1), Would I Lie To You (BBC1), Live At The Apollo (BBC2), Guessable (Comedy Central), Question Time (BBC1), 8 Out Of Cats Does Countdown (Ch4), Fighting Talk (BBC Radio 5 Live) and The Unbelievable Truth (BBC Radio 4).

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm

Price: £24.50+BF

Age Restriction: 16+ PG

Friday 4th October

Big Comedy UK Presents Best of the Fest Sponsored by Acorn Insurance

Featuring The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Review, Katie Tracey, Patrick Monahan and host Brendan Riley

Join us for a fantastic night of live comedy with a triple headline show.

Award winning The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue, highly original masters of prop and pun comedy. Excellent, fast-moving, clever, constantly changing, hilarious, musical nonsense. Winner UK Comedy Award Comedian of the Year as voted by fellow comedians.

“This is comedy that reminds us why we go out to see live shows” The Scotsman

Patrick Monahan – Show me the funny, Splash (ITV) and Celebrity squares (ITV) and more recently on The One Show (BBC), Fake Reaction (ITV), Pointless celebrity special (BBC) and Asian Network (BBC).

“Rip roaringly funny” One4Review

Katie Tracey Liverpool’s own fast rising star is regarded as one of the best female comedians in the Northwest, Funny Women Awards runner up, support act to Arthur Smith.

“Affable, cheeky and fun, but most importantly bloody funny” Blackpool Comedy Club

Hosted by Brendan Riley

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm

Price: £15.00+BF

Age Restriction: 18+

 Saturday 5th October

Bingo Nights UK Presents 80’s Disco Bingo

Raising Money for Southport Flower Show

Prepare yourself for a blast back to the 80s!

Eyes Down for a fabulous night of fundraising for Southport Flower Show with this truly interactive event. 80’s Disco Bingo is exactly what it says on the tin; a full night of Disco and Bingo but with a modern twist! Featuring all the 80’s hits guaranteed to get the whole room up and dancing.

Fancy Dress is not mandatory but it is certainly encouraged!

RELAX! PLAY BINGO! WHEN YOU WANT TO HAVE FUN!

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm

Price: £10+BF

Age Restriction: 18+

Sunday 6th October

Southport New Comedian of the Year 2024 Grand Final

Sponsored by Dragon Soop

The competition, now in its 14th 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+

Tuesday 8th October

Jason Manford

A Manford All Seasons Work In Progress

Join Jason as he steps back on stage to try out brand new material ahead of his UK & Ireland Arena Tour.

Jason’s been busy since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit.

Big Night of Musicals (ITV1), New Year’s Eve Show (ITV1), Waterloo Road (BBC One) Starstruck (ITV1), First & Last (BBC One), The Masked Singer (ITV1), What Would Your Kid Do? (ITV1), Olivier Awards (ITV1), Scarborough (BBC One), 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), The Nightly Show (ITV1), Sunday Night at the Palladium (ITV1), Live at the Apollo (BBC One), Have I Got News For You (BBC One), QI (BBC Two) and The Royal Variety Performance (ITV1) have all helped establish Jason as a nationally known comic.

Plus support

Door: 6.30pm, Show: 7.30pm
Price: £22.50+BF
Age Restriction: 14+ PG

Wednesday 9th October

Ben Elton

Authentic Stupidity

Ben Elton, the undisputed godfather of modern stand-up is going back on the road with his new show – Authentic Stupidity and bringing it to the Southport Comedy Festival.

Ben first exploded into the national consciousness back in the 1980’s, hosting Channel 4’s ground breaking Saturday Live and has been setting the standard for gag filled, taboo busting, tonsil rattling, mind expanding stand-up comedy ever since!

“Just give him a stage and a microphone and Ben Elton is the best. No contest” The Sunday Times

“Elton’s timing and phrasing remain impeccable, his structure is masterly” Daily Telegraph

“There is nothing, absolutely nothing, to beat Ben Elton live!” Evening Standard

“Vital, relevant and passionate” The Scotsman

Door: 6.30pm, Show: 7.30pm
Price: £32.50+BF
Age Restriction: 16+ PG

 Thursday 10th October

Jimeoin

Who’s Your Man?!

Live comedy’s internationally acclaimed Jimeoin returns with a hilarious evening of World-Class stand-up on his brilliantly funny new tour show ‘Who’s Your Man?!’

Yours might be one of the hundreds of millions of views of his online comedy clips, or perhaps you’ve seen his fantastic TV 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!

Jimeoin’s cheeky no-gimmicks and superbly observed sense of humour, has won him many awards, with his wide appeal and great craic keeping audiences in stitches across the globe.

“Hilarious… If laughter is the best medicine, Jimeoin is a course of steroids…. Don’t you miss it!” Edinburgh Evening News

“Wickedly funny…The comedy greats make it seem effortless and Jimeoin doesn’t disappoint…Exhilarating’ !!!!½” The Age, Australia

Plus support

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £19.50+BF
Age Restriction: 16+ PG

Friday 11th October

Rich Hall Live

Multi award-winning comedy legend Rich Hall is renowned for his expertly crafted tirades, quick-fire banter with audiences and delightful musical sequences. Rich has been described as a transatlantic messenger, lampooning each country he visits with his laser-guided observations.

You’ll pay for the whole seat, but you’ll only need the edge of it.

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: £17+BF

Age Restriction: 16+PG

 Saturday 12th October

Jason Byrne

No Show

There’s no show like a Jason Byrne No Show.

No Show is a show with no comedy safety net. By the end of No Show you’ll have experienced a once in a lifetime show or No Show.

Jason, along with the audience, will begin No Show with no show whatsoever.  Witness Jason use his infamous audience interactions with a sprinkle of props, both on and off the stage, to create No Show!

Your “Full on, double-up, gasping-for-oxygen hilarious” Chortle.co.uk

No Show will never be repeated.

Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm

Price: £26.50+BF

Age Restriction: 14+PG

 Sunday 13th October

Big Comedy UK Presents Best of the Fest Featuring Paul Sinha and Ria Lina

Join two of the comedy industry’s most celebrated comedians as they come together for one fantastic night of comedy as part of this year’s Southport Comedy Festival.

Paul Sinha

Best known as The Sinnerman on ITV’s The Chase. Paul is a Rose d’Or Award winner for radio comedy, and Chortle Award winner and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee for his stand-up. Paul is a familiar voice on radio appearing on Just a Minute (BBC R4), The News (BBC R4) Quiz and Fighting Talk (BBC 5 Live). On television, Paul has appeared on QI (BBC2), Would I Lie to You? (BBC1) Taskmaster (Ch4) and Celebrity Googlebox (Ch4).

“One of our most thoughtful and enjoyable comedians” The Times

Ria Lina

Ria Lina is a touring Filipina comedian, actress and writer known for her appearances on Live at the Apollo (BBC1), Have I Got News For You (BBC1), Mock The Week (BBC2)  Pointless (BBC1) and House of Games (BBC2).

She has recently been named as one of The Evening Standard’s ‘Hottest Comedians You Should Be Watching Now’.

Throughout her stand-up career Ria has taken five shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her career stretches from stage and screen, to radio and the occasional ukulele.

“Fearless, provocative and very funny”

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