Southport Comedy Festival paid partnership
Get ready for 17 days and night of laughter and entertainment in Southport!
The 15th Annual Southport Comedy Festival, proudly presented in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport, is back at Victoria Park for its sixth consecutive year with an exciting line-up of stars.
From 2nd–18th October 2026, enjoy watching some of the biggest names in comedy as they appear on stage.
Once again, all events will take place under canvas in a luxury heated and seated marquee, courtesy of Elite Events.
The festival will be followed in the same venue by Southport Oktoberfest on 23rd and 24th October 2026.
This year’s unmissable line-up features comedy superstar Jason Manford, high-energy festival favourite Jason Byrne, ITV’s The Chase star Paul Sinha, acclaimed observational Irish comic from Australia Jimeoin, the hilariously outrageous clairvoyant from Phoenix Nights Clinton Baptiste, German comedy ambassador Henning Wehn, king of the one-liners Gary Delaney, legendary improv duo Paul Merton and Suki Webster, BAFTA-winning comedian, author and former doctor Adam Kay, Taskmaster favourite Mike Wozniak, star of I’m a celebrity Seann Walsh and rapidly rising star of TV Scott Bennett. The festival also welcomes the return of UK comedy icon Mick Miller – the beloved “bald man with the long hair” who has entertained audiences for more than 40 years.
The Southport Comedy Festival is also committed to supporting the stars of tomorrow with the return of the Southport New Comedian of the Year Competition, proudly sponsored for a fifth year by Dragon Soop.
The triple headline Best of the Fest Comedy Night is back featuring the very best in stand up from the UK comedy circuit. Festival-goers can also rewind the clock and dance the night away as Comedy Bingo Goes Back to the 90s returns for another nostalgic night of fun.
The Southport Comedy Festival is proud to support charitable causes. This year’s nominated charity is Bebe’s Hive, which will be holding a prize raffle during the Back To The 90s Comedy Bingo event. All proceeds raised from the raffle will go directly towards supporting the incredible work of this wonderful local charity. Donation buckets will also be available at festival events throughout the 17-day programme.
Food and Drink will be provided by Award Winning local businesses Tik Taco and Elite Bars.
Tik Taco will be serving up their delicious authentic Mexican street food throughout the event with freshly made tacos, nachos and dirty fries.
Elite Bars will be running a fully licensed bar, with snacks and hot drinks also available.
Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said:
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to this year’s Southport Comedy Festival!
“We’ve had an amazing response so far with six shows sold out already, and tickets selling quickly for others. If there’s anyone you’d love to see, don’t leave it too late to book!
“We’re very proud to be working once again alongside Mark Dilley and his team at Elite Events plus Alan Adams and his team at Southport Flower Show, as well as for all the help and support we’ve enjoyed from Mark Catherall and Sefton Council Tourism.
“We would like to thank all the fantastic businesses whose support has helped make this year’s festival possible. Take a look at their logos on the festival website or view our virtual brochure https://southportcomedyfestival.com/brochure to see who has helped keep Southport smiling in 2026.
“We look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic year of comedy, entertainment, and laughter at the Southport Comedy Festival!”
Tickets and full line-up at:
southportcomedyfestival.com
Friday 2nd October
Jason Byrne: 30 Years Byrning
Jason Byrne is back and “Byrning” brighter than ever, celebrating 30 glorious years of stand-up with his brand-new show, 30 Years Byrning.
Byrne delivers a riotous night of high-energy storytelling, surreal tangents and unstoppable laughter. From razor-sharp observations to gloriously unhinged audience interaction, brave improvisation, that has made Jason a festival favourite for three decades.
This anniversary special is a hilarious return to props and stunts of the past decades, a fearless leap forward and a masterclass in pure comic mayhem.
Do not blow it by missing this show, get tickets early, it makes sense.
“Outright King of Live Comedy” The Times
Door: 7.00pm, Show: 8.00pm
Price: £30.00
Age Restriction: 16+PG
Saturday 3rd October
Paul Sinha: 2 Sinha Lifetime
Paul returned to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2025 after a dramatic 2023 that saw him booking a ticket to Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary half-way through his run. The autumn that followed became a flurry of tests, scans and finally the surgery which set him on the road to recovery. With no small debt to the NHS, Paul celebrated his 30th anniversary in stand-up last year. He’s delighted to be touring his latest Edinburgh Fringe show around the UK.
As seen on: The Chase, Taskmaster, QI and Would I Lie To You?
“In short, it is clever. It is honest. It is very, very funny” ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
Door: 2.00pm, Show: 3.00pm
Price: £20
Age Restriction: 16+PG
Saturday 3rd October
Southport New Comedian of the Year 2026 Grand Final
Sponsored by Dragon Soop
The competition, now in its 16th 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
Doors 7:00pm, Show 8:00pm
Price: £8
Age Suitability: 18+
Sunday 4th October
Jason Manford
Fresh from a sell-out national tour, Jason returns to the Southport Comedy Festival with his trademark energy, quick wit, brilliant stories and crowd-pleasing charm.
A familiar face on British television, he’s appeared on Big Night of Musicals, Royal Variety Performance, Starstruck, Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, QI, The Masked Singer, 8 Out of 10 Cats and many more, firmly establishing himself as one of the nation’s best-loved comics.
Don’t miss your chance to see him live, where he’s at his absolute best.
Plus support from Hayley Ellis
Hosted by Brendan Riley
Matinee: Door: 2.00pm, Show: 3.00pm
Evening: Door: 6.00pm, Show: 7.00pm
Price: £25
Age Suitability: 14+PG
Tuesday 6th October
Jimeoin: Ballyhoo!
A not-to-be-missed, hilarious evening with a genuine stand-up comedy legend who is globally hailed as one of live comedy’s masters. We are absolutely delighted to welcome the return of our favourite Irishman from Australia with his sublimely funny new show.
Jimeoin’s cheeky no-gimmicks sense of humour, superb material and broad appeal keeps audiences in stitches across the globe. You might be one of the hundreds of millions of fans who have viewed his online comedy clips, or perhaps you’ve seen his laugh-out-loud TV appearances on ‘Live at the Apollo’ or ‘The Royal Variety Performance’… but NOTHING beats seeing this observational joke-maestro on fire and in his element – live-on-stage!
For a guaranteed fun-packed night out of great craic and great jokes we recommend you book early!
“At the top of his game… didn’t leave a dry eye in the house” ★★★★★ Manchester Evening News
Doors 7:00pm
Show 8:00pm
Price: £20.50
Age Suitability: 16+ PG
Wednesday 7th October
An Evening with Clinton Baptiste
Sponsored by Anthony James Estate Agents
Clinton Baptiste is the useless clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay’s smash hit comedy Phoenix Nights.
After last year’s sell out performance, Clinton is 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 Patrick Monahan
Doors 7:00pm
Show 8:00pm
Price: £20.00
Age Suitability: 16+ PG
Thursday 8th 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
As seen on: Have I Got News For You, House Of Games, Would I Lie To You? Live at the Apollo
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Price: £27.50
Age: 16+ PG
Friday 9th October
Gary Delaney: Gary On Laughing
Gary Delaney’s last UK tour ran for two and a half years across 378 dates. People laughed a lot and kept coming back. His videos have hundreds of millions of views.
So now he’s doing it all again with a brand-new show. All new jokes and utterly splendid filth. Come along. It’ll be fun. Don’t bring the kids or people who like to get their knickers in a twist. Do wear a TENA pad or dark trousers.
“A master craftsman” ★★★★Times
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Price: £27.50
Age: 16+ PG
Saturday 10th October
Paul Merton and Suki Webster’s Improv Show
An evening of sensational improvised comedy hosted by two of the UK’s masters of improvisation with their old friend, improv virtuoso, Mike McShane and a host of very special guests. Fast, fabulously funny improvised games, scenes, stories and laugh out loud surrealism.
“Amongst the best in the business for years… class, nonsense, inventiveness and a whole barrel load of laughs” ★★★★★ One4Review
“Absolutely delivers the big laughs… hilariously absurd” ★★★★ Broadway Baby
“Merton and Webster have established themselves as two of the UK’s best… this show is improv comedy at its strongest” ★★★★ The Scots Reviewer
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Price: £26.00
Age: 15+ PG
Sunday 11th October
Adam Kay: This Is Going To Hurt
BAFTA-winning comedian Adam Kay shares his uniquely hilarious diaries as a junior doctor in this “electrifying” (Guardian) evening of stand-up. Over 350,000 tickets sold.
Based on the multi-million selling book and multi-award-winning TV series.
“Intersperses horror stories from the NHS frontline with a catalogue of sublimely silly spoof songs, and some blissfully brilliant wordplay” ★★★★★ Mail on Sunday
“Hilarious and heartbreaking” Charlie Brooker
Door: 6:00pm
Show: 7:00pm
Price: £25.50
Age: 16+ PG
Tuesday 13th October
Mike Wozniak: The Bench
New stand-up tour show from Mike Wozniak in which a story about a bench will be prominent. Previous experience of or strong opinions about benches not required. Let Mike worry about that.
As seen on Taskmaster, Man Down and Junior Taskmaster. As heard on Three Bean Salad podcast.
“deliciously distinctive fun… The story of Wozniak might be the shaggiest of shaggy dog stories you will ever hear” The Evening Standard
“a comic of adorably skewwhiff charm” The Times
“Wozniak has a talent for [the] slightly absurd… a charming storyteller with a splash of the surreal” The I Paper
“Wozniak is a great crafter of a story… A great performer with an interesting style” The Skinny
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Price: £22.50
Age: 14+ PG
Wednesday 14th October
Scott Bennett: Blood Sugar Baby
One family, one condition, one hell of a hairy baby… Scott Bennett from Live at the Apollo, The Royal Variety Performance and The News Quiz, tells the amazing true story of how his daughter fell ill with a rare genetic condition, congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). Never heard of it? Neither had Scott and Jemma.
“What’s so rare and satisfying is how all the jokes go hand in hand with the seriousness of the situation. It’s a wonderfully hopeful, often hilarious show from a properly funny man” ★★★★ The Times
“Fabulous turn of phrase, superb character creations” ★★★★ Chortle
“Stardom is surely just one punchline away” ★★★★ Evening Standard
Yes, it’s a story about an ill baby, but it’s a very funny one with a happy ending, as new parents Scott and Jemma fight to get the right diagnosis for their daughter and are plunged into months of bewildering treatment, sleepless nights, celebrity encounters and bizarre side effects.
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Price: £22.00
Age: 14+ PG
Friday 16th October
Best of the Fest
Featuring Steve Gribbin, Clayton Jones, Brennan Reece and host Brendan Riley
Sponsored by Acorn Insurance
Join us for a fantastic night of live comedy with a triple headline show featuring the very best in stand-up from the UK comedy circuit.
Steve Gribbin
Liverpool’s legendary guitar-wielding satirist is renowned for his razor-sharp comedy songs, political humour and explosive energy. A veteran of The Cutting Edge at London’s Comedy Store and winner of the UK Comics’ Comic Award for Outstanding Achievement.
“A highly refreshing and original comic” The Scotsman
Clayton Jones
A hugely popular observational comedian known for his hilarious take on everyday life. Winner of Last-Minute Comedian of the Year and finalist in English Comedian of the Year.
“This dude has funny bones” Romesh Ranganathan
Brennan Reece
Multi award-winning comedian as seen on Live at the Apollo and Roast Battle. Winner of English Comedian of the Year, with over 100 million online views and five sold-out UK tours.
“A powerfully entertaining, unstoppable force” Chortle
Hosted by Brendan Riley
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Price: £15.00
Age: 16+ PG
Saturday 17th October
Comedy Bingo Back To The 90’s
Sponsored by Bro Design
Get ready to rewind time and dab the night away at The Southport Comedy Festival for our Comedy Bingo back to the 90’s show.
Expect all the chaos and laughs of Comedy Bingo, smashed together with the biggest bangers of the greatest decade ever.
Hosted by the one and only comedian Brendan Riley, this is not your average bingo night, it’s a full on 90’s disco party where you’ll laugh, dance, sing and dab your way to brilliant prizes.
Fancy dress isn’t mandatory… but let’s be honest, it’s highly encouraged.
So grab your mates, dig out the double denim, and remember
EVERYBODY’S FREE TO FEEL GOOD… AND PLAY BINGO!
We have invited the wonderful team from this year’s festival’s chosen charity, Bebe’s Hive, to hold a prize raffle during the evening. The raffle will be drawn on the night, with all proceeds raised going directly to support the incredible work of this wonderful local charity.
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Price: £10.00
Age: 16+ PG
Sunday 18th October
An Afternoon with Mick Miller
Sponsored by Halliwell Jones Kia Southport
Join us for a very special afternoon 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.
Plus support from Oliver Bowler
Door: 2.00pm
Show: 3.00pm
Price: £20
Age Restriction: 16+PG
Sunday 18th October
Seann Walsh: This is Torture
After his sell-out 2023 tour, the UK’s dishevelled king of stand-up, award-winning Seann Walsh returns with a brand-new show. Don’t miss his trademark high-energy exasperation and razor-sharp observations that leave audiences in stitches and on their feet all around the country. This year, he’s decided to name the show after the thing he says the most in life – THIS IS TORTURE.
As seen on Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Last Leg and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
“Unquestionably the best observational comic of his generation” The Guardian
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Price: £18.00
Age: 14+ PG
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