We all need a laugh during these bleak, wintery days. Something to lighten the load and put a smile on our faces. Thankfully the massive Leicester Comedy Festival – Europe’s biggest and longest-running comedy festival – will return this year to get us rolling on the floor with some big-bellied laughter.
Hundreds of comedians will perform across Leicester from February 8 to 26 to celebrate the comedy festival’s 30th Anniversary. The likes of Eshaan Akbar, Jo Brand, Sikisa and Stewart Lee will also join the Leicester Comedy Festival as new patrons. While Rosie Jones and Michael Rosen are the new patrons of spin-off, The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival.
Last year saw over 560 shows in 64 venues around the city – and 2023 looks ready to be bigger and better than ever! Comedians performing this year include Seann Walsh, Milton Jones, Nina Gilligan, Nish Kumar, Chloe Petts, Colin Hoult, Darren Harriott, Adele Cliff, Fern Brady, Gary Delaney, John Kearns, Ignacio Lopez, Richard Herring, Ahir Shah and Sophie Duker, Josh Pugh, Emmanuel Sonubi and Sarah Keyworth.
“Comedy makes us see light in the darkness. And it helps us to understand the mad world we live in through the lens of laughs. There’s rarely been a time when comedy has been needed more, and Leicester Comedy Festival continues to deliver it,” said Stewart Lee. “From big names that help make it a must see to the kind of new talent so deserving of its support, Leicester Comedy festival’s program lands all across the social spectrum.”
With this being the comedy festival’s BIG 3-0, of course some extra special events will take place too. See 30 acts for £30 at Hansom Hall on February 18; Visit the 30th anniversary exhibition at Hansom The Old Library Café and Galleries; and celebrate the 30th anniversary at the Sue Townsend Theatre on February 25, with a Q&A between Arthur Smith and, Leicester Comedy Festival founder, Geoff Rowe.
Big Difference, the charity behind the festival, aims to shine a light on the future generation of comedians and staples of the industry. Five years ago, it also launched The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival, the country’s only comedy festival for children, to provide shows for all the family to enjoy.
To learn more about Leicester Comedy Festival head here.