Leicester Comedy Festival 2025 will take place from 05 – 23 February 2025.

Welcome to the 2025 Leicester Comedy Festival, a celebration of laughter, creativity, and community! As we gather to showcase some of the brightest talents in comedy, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome.

There is comedy for everyone in February, from stand up to sketches, musical, improv, exhibition, discussions and workshops… we are also incredibly proud to interview on stage our festival patron Eshaan Akbar and Comedy Legend Jenny Eclair. If you don’t know what to pick, our Secret Tours are back, so trust us to find you a variety of shows for an evening packed of comedy.

Every year we try to bring comedy to new places, closer to you. We’re very pleased to welcome a dozen new venues to our festivals this year, such as Leicester Cathedral, The International, De Montfort Student Union or the Soundhouse in the city centre, but also many county venues including The Old Plough, Barkby Cricket Club, Sunny Skies Café and more… Last summer, we also delivered a series of training sessions with local venues to give a safer environment for staff and audiences at the festivals. We try to make sure more accessible venues take part, to break as many barriers as possible. We know there’s still a long way to go, but we keep inclusivity and accessibility in mind with every project we deliver.

Nurturing talent is one of the core missions of the festivals, and once again we are looking forward to showcasing a new cohort of emerging acts at Circuit Breakers and Leicester Comedian of the Year. The latest initiative from our charity Big Difference Company is Bridging the Gap. Thanks to a public fundraising campaign supported by Big Give Arts for Impact, we are launching a new support scheme for comedians from underrepresented groups to perform in the festival. We help cover their costs, and will highlight them in the programme, hoping to bring more representation on stage across the festival. The pilot version of this project will feature 6 acts in one show at the Guildhall, and each of them also have their own solo show in various dates and venues. Check them out and support them!

We are also excited to partner with Funny Women across the first weekend of the festival, with workshops, mentoring and network events, as well as two shows presenting incredibly funny women (of course). At a time where women and non-binary people still experience discrimination in the industry, we are proud to support the work of organisations such as Funny Women.

This year, we’re excited to continue our outreach and education initiatives, bringing the joy of comedy to young people and inspiring the next generation of performers. From workshops for aspiring comedians to partnerships with local schools, our mission is to nurture talent at every level. Laugh Academy is back at Attenborough Arts Centre during half term, and our Joke Spot will once again visit 6 public libraries. Up to 8 primary schools will again compete as part of Loving Laughing, to try and dethrone the reigning champion that is Foxton Primary School. We also are bringing you a new version of the Completely Made Up History of Coalville, so put on your boots and discover the town in an unexpected way!

Together, we create a vibrant festival community that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and connection. It will be no surprise to anyone that the cultural sector is still suffering from the pandemic, and other external factors including the political decisions over the last decade. As a festival, we try to support our venues and local organisations and bring awareness of their struggles to a national level. This year’s Beyond a Joke series will include an AGM from the Live Comedy Association, sharing results of a national survey, as well as discussions on how to get funding in comedy. Leicester Comedy Festival and the UK Kids’ Comedy Festival have a crucial economic and social impact on the city and county, and we want to bring awareness to the national level that comedy should be recognised as a fundable art form.

As an audience member, you can also help save the industry simply by going to events. Support your local pub, theatre, village hall. Buy tickets in advance. Of course, go and see your favourite TV personality, but also take a risk on someone you don’t know, who might be the future star of comedy.

Thank you for being part of our journey, let’s make this festival one to remember!

Enjoy the shows!

Charlotte Laidet

Festivals & Programme Director