Bristol Comedy Festival returns with 150 shows

Bristol Comedy Festival is back for its second year with more than 150 shows planned across the city across the next two weeks.

From Thursday until the end of January, events will take place at a variety of venues featuring new talent and well-established starts like Maisie Adam.

Co-organiser Jacob Burley, said: "Bringing someone like Maisie Adam to Bristol at this moment in her career is huge for us, but just as important is creating space for brilliant emerging acts and showcasing the depth of talent coming through the comedy scene right now."

The Bristol Comedy Competition is also returning for its second year, with comedians going head-to-head in heats to decide a winner.

Burt Williamson, festival co-founder and local comedian, said the competition has become a key platform for emerging acts.

"The competition is all about championing new voices and giving comics a proper platform in front of engaged audiences," he said.

"The standard last year was incredibly high, and we're excited to see who steps up in 2026."

The semi-finals of the competition will be at The Comedy Box and a final at The Bristol Folk House on Friday 30 January.

Among other performers are Jonny Pelham, Harriet Dyer, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Sara Barron, Bella Hull and Stuart Goldsmith, alongside international acts such as Sam See and Celya AB, Chelsea Birkby, Ben Pope, Rosalie Minnitt.

JoJo Maberly, winner of the Bristol Comedy Competition last year, will also be appearing.

The King Street Takeover is also returning on 20 January, where the street will host a night of shows in different venues with comedians moving between them.

The profits of that night will go to homelessness charity TAP for Bristol.

Made in Bristol, which celebrates local talent, will also return with a showcase of working-class comedians born and raised in the city.

Sabrina Shutter, senior project events manager at Bristol BID (Business Improvement District), said: "The Bristol Comedy Festival brings an incredible energy to the city at a time of year when it's really needed.

"It fills venues, supports local businesses and showcases the creativity that makes Bristol such a vibrant place to live and visit."

She said the festival "shines a spotlight on Bristol as a leading destination for live comedy".

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