Leicester Comedy Festival launches its brochure today with a record number of shows registered. There are 708 shows registered at this stage in 2024, compared to 2023 of 631 shows and pre pandemic levels of 684 shows, which is a 12 percent increase on 2023.
2024 will welcome hundreds of comedians and shows, taking place in venues across Leicester – this year’s exceptional hosts include: Sindhu Vee hosting the Gala Preview Show on 12th January at De Montfort Hall and Kiri Pritchard-Mclean hosting Get Off Comedy Fundraiser on 8th February at the Y Theatre. Myra Dubois will host the fundraiser event Live at De Montfort Hall on February 16th, with special guests.
Founder Geoff Rowe returns to the Festival with a new series of in-depth discussions with comedians, in aid of Big Difference Company, and this year with a special fundraiser for Warning Zone, a Leicester based Charity dedicated to teaching life skills and safeguarding children, talking about the history of the festival on 15thFebruary at the Warning Zone… Life Skills Centre. Jason Byrne returns to host The UK Pun Championships on 12th February.
Comedians performing at the various venues in 2024 include Kieran Hodgson, Daniel Sloss, Sophie Duker, Ross Noble, Stewart Lee, Count Arthur Strong, Ania Magliano, Catherine Bohart, Garth Marenghi, Eshaan Akbar, Sikisa and Daliso Chaponda.
The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival will be packed with events aimed at children and young people, there will be a mix of big names in kids comedy, including Marcel Lucont, The Dark Room, Shelf, Jarred Christmas performing with world champion beatboxer Hobbit, as well as special events such as Loving Laughing, where Big Difference will present the award for the Funniest school in Leicestershire. The Kids Gala Preview, hosted by Bec Hill is on 3rd December at The Y.
Big Difference, the charity behind the festival, continues to deliver an impressive array of events, bringing well-known acts to Leicester as well as shining a light on the future generation of comedians, working with communities both young and old, and cultivating laughter and comedy in people’s hearts, as they celebrate with both established comedy staples and rising stars of the industry.
Charlotte Laidet, festivals and programme director at Big Difference said; “We are so happy to be back in 2024 with our biggest festivals ever, and an incredible programme of events for everyone. In these especially difficult times for the hospitality and cultural sectors, it is really important and rewarding for us to see the support and trust from all our venues, promoters and partners, and of course all the acts taking part in the festivals. We are looking forward to bringing more laughter and well-being in Leicester and Leicestershire in February.”
Leicester Comedy Festival main partners are De Monfort University and Leicester City Council. The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival is sponsored by De Montfort University and NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The Patrons of Leicester Comedy Festival are: Eshaan Akbar, Stewart Lee, Jo Brand, Sikisa, & Tony Slattery
The Patrons of The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival are: Rosie Jones & Michael Rosen
The Leicester Comedy Festival 2024 runs from February 7 - 25. More information here.
