Comedy at the Castle returns for 2026 with 30 comedians and three UK castles confirmed

Comedy at the Castle returns for 2026 with a huge lineup and a brand-new location at Lancaster Castle, joining Warwick and Exeter for three weekends of stand-up royalty

Skiddle Staff

Date published: 17th Nov 2025

Comedy at the Castle is back for 2026, and it's bigger than ever. Now in its fourth year, the UK’s fastest-growing outdoor comedy festival, courtesy of Closeup Comedy and Digbeth Dining Club, expands to three castles, with Warwick and Exeter castles returning, and Lancaster Castle the latest to play host to this comedic siege.

The headliners this year are fit to wear the crowns too, with headline nights from Joanne McNally, Russell Kane, Chris McCausland, Al Murray, and Paul Smith, plus supporting battlements from 25 of the best names in the biz. Plus, alongside the open-air laughs, you get to delight in award-winning street food, cocktails, craft ale & fizz bars, and high-end production across three spectacular historic settings. What more could you want?

Pre-sale tickets for Comedy at the Castle 2026 go on Wednesday 26th at 10am, with general sale coming Friday 28th, also at 10am. Scroll down and sign up for your desired dates below to secure your spot!

The following comedians are also confirmed for Comedy at the Castle 2026: Stephen Bailey, Angela Barnes, Ed Byrne, Scott Bennett, Hal Cruttenden, Larry Dean, Daniel Foxx, Hayley Ellis, Rachel Fairburn, Thomas Green, Nina Gilligan, Janine Harouni, Josh Jones, Esther Manito, Chris McCausland, Gbemi Oladipo, Freddy Quinne, Hatty Preston, Brennan Reece, Mike Rice, Lindsey Santoro, Paul Sinha, Fin Taylor, and Seann Walsh.

Harry Jenkins, Comedy at the Castle director, said: “We are totally overjoyed to finally release our biggest and best line-up yet, which draws on the success of previous years as well as feedback from audience members.

“Adding Lancaster Castle has been almost 18 months in the making, and 2026 feels like the right moment to grow our offering.

“The Comedy at the Castle team is really looking forward to working with friends and partners in the Midlands, South West and North West to bring more comedy, street food and great nights out to fans old and new in 2026.”

Scroll down to find more information, tickets, and lineups for each of the Comedy at the Castle weekends at Warwick, Lancaster, and Exeter.

Comedy at the Castle 2026 - Warwick Castle

When: Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th May 2026

Where: Warwick Castle in Coventry

A bank-holiday trilogy under one of the Midlands’ most dramatic backdrops: Joanne McNally headlines the Friday, with Fin Taylor, Rachel Fairburn, and Josh Jones; Russell Kane brings his high-velocity showmanship on Saturday alongside Ed Byrne, Esther Manito, and Thomas Green; while recent strictly star Chris McCausland closing with his warmth and razor-sharp observation on Sunday alongside Hatty Preston, Mike Rice, and Scott Bennett; all with Freddy Quinne as resident host acorss the weekend.

Comedy at the Castle: Friday Night with Joanne McNally + more! - Friday 22nd May 2026

Buy tickets:

Comedy at the Castle: Saturday Night with Russell Kane + more! - Saturday 23rd May 2026

Buy tickets:

Comedy at the Castle: Sunday Night with Chris McCausland + more! - Sunday 24th May 2026

Buy tickets:

Comedy at the Castle 2026 - Lancaster Castle

When: Friday 19th – Sunday 21st June 2026

Where: Lancaster Castle in Lancaster

A North West debut with serious pedigree: Joanne McNally headlines the Friday with Hayley Ellis, Stephen Bailey and Seann Walsh; Russell Kane takes Saturday with Paul Sinha, Lindsey Santoro and Mike Rice; while Paul Smith brings the Sunday scouse heat alongside Larry Dean, Brennan Reece and Nina Gilligan; all hosted across the weekend again by Freddy Quinne.

Comedy at the Castle: Friday Night with Joanne McNally and more! - Friday 19th June 2026

Buy tickets:

Comedy at the Castle: Saturday Night with Russell Kane and more! - Saturday 20th June 2026

Buy tickets:

Comedy at the Castle: Sunday Night with Paul Smith and more! - Sunday 21st June 2026

Buy tickets:

POWDERHAM CASTLE, EXETER — Comedy at the Castle 2026

When: Friday 17th – Sunday 19th July 2026

Where: Powderham Castle in Exeter

South-West summer laughs at their finest: Joanne McNally opens Friday night with a stacked supporting cast that includes Janine Harouni, Hal Cruttenden, and Daniel Foxx; Paul Smith brings huge crowd energy on Saturday with Angela Barnes, Gbemi Oladipo, and Stephen Bailey; and Al Murray closes Sunday with Hayley Ellis, Scott Bennett, and Thomas Green; Freddy Quinne hosts throughout.

Comedy at the Castle: Friday Night with Joanne McNally and more! - Friday 17th July 2026

Buy tickets: