The full line-up has been revealed for the upcoming Independent Comedy Festival, taking place between 3-21 February 2027 in Leicestershire, with 630 shows across 43 venues making it the UK’s largest dedicated comedy festival.
Comedy fans will have plenty of chances to see top TV comedians in action, with Maisie Adam, Peter Serafinowicz, Darren Harriott, Angela Barnes, Milton Jones, Henning Wehn, Sophie Duker, Scott Bennett and Bobby Davro amongst some of the biggest names who have signed up to perform with venues such as De Montfort Hall, The Y Theatre and Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium all set to host shows, alongside long standing flagship festival venues such as Firebug, Real Ale Classroom and LCB Depot.
The Independent Comedy Festival was founded in the summer after the Leicester Comedy Festival collapsed, leaving hundreds of performers unpaid. Local comedian Alex Hylton and promoter Colin Bowles are behind the new project.
Sarah Johnson, who’ll be performing her solo show Older and Wiser at the Y Theatre, said ‘As a Leicester comedian, being part of a new festival in the city where it all began feels particularly special. After 11 years, I’m still here, still making people laugh and still excited about what comes next. I’m looking forward to celebrating comedy, supporting the local scene and being part of a fresh new chapter for Leicester.’
Comedian and founder of the Independent Comedy festival Alex Hylton said: ‘It’s been a lot of work, but we’re delighted that so many brilliant performers have backed the Independent Comedy Festival project. There’s been a lot of speculation that the new festival would be smaller or scaled back, but we’re going to be able to deliver a massive three week party thanks to so many people who are determined to make it happen.
The Howes Percival Comedian of the Year competition will return on Saturday 20th February at The Y Theatre, hosted by Angela Barnes, giving new comedians the chance to add their name to a glittering list of former champions, with past winners including Josh Widdecombe, Romesh Ranganathan and Jo Enright.
The UK Pun Championships won’t be taking place, but the UK Pun Off, hosted by Iain McDonald, will feature at James Bistro on Saturday 6th February.
Colin Bowles said: ‘The interest in, and support for, the new festival from venues, promoters and acts has been absolutely incredible, and as prospective audience members look through the line-up now it’s been released I think they’re going to be really excited as well. The momentum is really building towards the inaugural Independent Comedy Festival.’
A full line-up of shows and tickets can be found at www.indiecomedyfest.co.uk as more than 35,000 tickets will be on sale from 10am on Thursday 29th October.
