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Comedy festivals

A wide range of festivals operate in the UK, many either dedicated to comedy or including it as a part of their programme.

Nevill Holt Festival

Friday 30th May to Sunday 22nd June

A festival held at the 13th century Nevill Holt Estate in Leicestershire.

Wandsworth Arts Fringe

Friday 6th June to Sunday 22nd June

Wandsworth Council's flagship festival, Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF) is a 17-day long festival cover music, spoken word, theatre, comedy and dance happening all over the borough.

London Clown Festival

Monday 16th June to Friday 4th July

This festival explores what clown is to the modern performer and their audiences.

Big Fat Fest (South Bank, London)

Friday 20th June to Sunday 22nd June

A London festival organised by the Big Belly Comedy Club.

Glastonbury Festival

Wednesday 25th June to Sunday 29th June

Comedians can always be found at Glastonbury in the various comedy-related performance areas.

PBH Free Fringe Weekender (Southwark, London)

Friday 27th June to Sunday 29th June

A comedy and variety showcase raising funds for the PBH Free Fringe, which takes part during the Edinburgh Fringe.

The Edin-Boro Comedy Festival (Middlesbrough)

Saturday 28th June

A one-day comedy festival held in Middlesbrough.

Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival

Saturday 28th June to Sunday 13th July

Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival is a series of events featuring local artists, performers and groups, offering a host of events of all kinds across the arts, performing in a whole range of venues.

Watford Fringe

Tuesday 1st July to Thursday 31st July

"Supporting great talent to entertain local audiences".

Oxford Festival Fringe Preview Comedy Festival

Oxford Comedy Festival

Tuesday 1st July to Thursday 31st July

A month-long comedy festival that normally happens in July. The organisers present some of the best comedians headed to Edinburgh and other large festivals.

Greater Manchester Fringe

Tuesday 1st July to Thursday 31st July

The Greater Manchester Fringe takes place across July each year.

Brighton Comedy Garden

Thursday 3rd July to Sunday 6th July

The first Brighton Comedy Garden planted its roots in June 2019.

Balham Comedy Festival

Friday 4th July to Saturday 12th July

Based at The Bedford in Balham, this festival always offer up one of the best line-ups of the summer.

Crossed Wires: The Podcast Festival (Sheffield)

Friday 4th July to Sunday 6th July

A festival featuring a range of podcast recordings.

Bolton Comedy Festival

Sunday 6th July to Sunday 20th July

A festival held in Bolton's Octagon Theatre.

York Comedy Festival

Sunday 6th July

A one-day festival in York Museum Gardens.

Guildford Comedy Festival

Monday 7th July to Saturday 12th July

A festival run by Guildford Fringe Theatre Company.

Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival

Wednesday 9th July to Sunday 13th July

The Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival has been running since 2017.

Buxton Festival Fringe

Wednesday 9th July to Sunday 27th July

One of the largest open-access arts festivals in the country, providing three weeks of "friendly, supportive and affordable" entertainment each July.

2000trees Festival (Cheltenham)

Wednesday 9th July to Saturday 12th July

A rock festival, with a comedy tent.

Henley Festival

Wednesday 9th July to Sunday 13th July

A posh festival that attracts a number of top comedy headliners.

The Idler Festival (Hampstead Heath)

Friday 11th July to Sunday 13th July

The Idler Festival is a weekend of philosophy and merriment, comedy, talks, music, workshops and salons in the bucolic surroundings of Fenton House and gardens near Hampstead Heath, organised by the people behind The Idler magazine.

ALSO Festival (Warwickshire)

Friday 11th July to Sunday 13th July

"The UKs most inspirational summer festival combining ideas, music and comedy alongside adventures in food, nature and wellness".

Byline Festival (East Sussex)

Friday 11th July to Sunday 13th July

Festival in the woodlands of Pippingford Park, Ashdown Forest, near the A22 in East Sussex.

Kaleidoscope (London)

Saturday 12th July

A one-day festival at the Alexandra Park and Palace in London.

Creatures Comedy Festival (Manchester)

Tuesday 15th July to Saturday 26th July

A festival held at the Creatures Comedy Club in Manchester.

Cambridge Comedy Garden

Thursday 17th July to Sunday 20th July

The latest from the Comedy Garden series of festivals, this being held in Parker's Piece.

Ventnor Fringe (Isle of Wight)

Friday 18th July to Sunday 27th July

Comedy on the Isle of Wight.

Comedy At The Castle (Warwick)

Friday 18th July to Saturday 19th July

A festival held at Warwick Castle.

Milton Keynes International Festival

Friday 18th July to Sunday 27th July

An outdoor theatre with large and small-scale performance, circus, stand-up comedy, live music, family activities and free events, held every two years.

Newcastle Fringe Festival

Tuesday 22nd July to Saturday 2nd August

A Fringe festival held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Durham Fringe Festival

Wednesday 23rd July to Sunday 27th July

A festival taking place across four venues in the north-east.

Bedford Festival Fringe

Wednesday 23rd July to Sunday 27th July

Events take place at The Quarry Theatre and The Place Theatre in the Bedfordshire market town.