The Last Laugh: The best comedy events on Skiddle

We're back with the Last Laugh, this time for the February 2026 edition, where we showcase the best comedy events on sale on Skiddle in the coming months. Check them out below!

Skiddle Staff

Date published: 13th Feb 2026

Love is in the air, apparently - but so are punchlines, tour announcements, and some seriously stacked summer bookings. February might be the shortest month of the year, but the comedy calendar is doing absolutely no cutting back. From castle-sized blowouts already locking in 2026, to intimate club nights and touring heavyweights stopping off across the UK, this month’s edition of The Last Laugh is bursting at the seams.

With Comedy at the Castle returning for another regal summer siege, Russell Howard headlining a massive open-air gala, and club favourites like Shane Todd, Paul Foot, Dan Tiernan, and more taking over beloved venues up and down the country, there’s a proper mix of big-room spectacle and basement brilliance to get stuck into.

So whether you’re planning ahead for sunshine and street food or sorting your next Friday night belly laugh, scroll down, grab your tickets now!

Comedy at the Castle 2026

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?

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.

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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Comedy at the Castle: Saturday Night with Paul Smith and more! - Saturday 18th July 2026

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Comedy at the Castle: Sunday Night with Al Murray and more! - Sunday 19th July 2026

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Good Times 2026 Comedy Gala starring Russell Howard & friends

When: Monday 25th May 2026

Where: Good Times At The Ridings in Bristol

Yes, it’s next year... But this is already shaping up to be one of 2026’s biggest comedy events. Russell Howard headlines a massive open-air gala as part of Good Times at The Ridings, bringing with him a supporting cast of very special unannounced guests, with the wonderful Cerys Nelmes hosting.

This year's edition with Katherine Ryan sold out fast, so if you want in on Bristol’s biggest comedy night of the summer, especially one headlined by a legend like Russell, then don’t hang about.

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Comedy Fete presents The Comedy Show

When: Saturday 28th March 2026

Where: Waterfront Brentford Lock in Brentford

Comedy Fete bring their signature big-energy club night to Brentford Lock, delivering a proper Friday night lineup packed with circuit favourites and rising stars, from Richard Blackwood to Kojo Anim, Rudi Lickwood, Annette Fagon & Darius Davies, hosted by the one and only Mr Cee.

Expect sharp observational punchlines, a bit of crowd banter, and comedy experience like no other with Ochi again supplying authentic Caribbean food to compliment the night. West London, consider your weekend sorted.

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CLOSEUP COMEDY in Cheltenham with Paul McCaffrey and more!

When: Saturday 14th February 2026

Where: Parabola Arts Centre in Cheltenham

CLOSEUP COMEDY continue their excursions to Cheltenham Ladies College's world-renowned Parabola Arts Centre for some Saturday Night comedy featuring three very funny humans, and hosted by the equally hilarious Freddy Quinne.

From the hilarious co-host of Fin vs History, Horatio Gould, to Belfast's fantastically sharp William Thompson, to the exceptionally captious tones of the award-winning Paul McCaffrey - who is also headlining - this is a night of some of the sharpest voices on the circuit, and one guaranteed to make your belly jiggle along with the with. Grab tickets below now!

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Shane Todd

When: Thursday 19th March 2026

Where: The Wardrobe in Leeds

Tea With Me host and all-round Northern Irish comedy machine Shane Todd lands in Leeds with his trademark laid-back swagger and razor-sharp storytelling. Equal parts self-deprecating and mischievous, Shane’s ability to spin everyday awkwardness into huge laughs has seen him sell out rooms across the UK and Ireland, and this one is close to following suit.

The Wardrobe is the perfect intimate setting for his punchy, crowd-aware style, so expect big laughs, relatable chaos, and a room that’s absolutely on side from the first gag.

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The Laughienda Comedy Club Preston

When: Wednesday 4th March 2026

Where: The Continental in Preston

Preston’s award-winning Laughienda returns to The Continental for another midweek masterclass in club comedy. Known for stacking their bills with absolute killers and pairing them with one of the best resident hosts in the business, this edition sees the hilarious Sally-Anne Hayward, recent tour support for Sarah Millican, joined by the slick one-liners of Danny Sutcliffe, rising star Alex Stringer, support from Amir Bux, and the ever excellent Jack Kelly hosting.

Expect fast-paced sets, properly crafted punchlines, and a buzzing Lancashire crowd that knows exactly what it’s come for. Reliable, rowdy, and relentlessly funny - just how club comedy should be.

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Paul Foot & special guests

When: Sunday 3rd May 2026

Where: Golden Lion in Todmorden

If you like your comedy delightfully unhinged and gloriously surreal, Paul Foot is your man. The multi-award-winning comic and cult hero brings his wildly imaginative brain to the Golden Lion for a night of off-kilter brilliance, complete with special guest Stephen Catling to round out the bill.

Expect absurd tangents, philosophical spirals, and the kind of joyous, unpredictable nonsense that only Paul can deliver. It’s clever, chaotic, and utterly unique, and you should grab those tickets now as they won't be around for long.

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CLOSEUP COMEDY at Herberts Yard with Bob Mills & Brennan Reece

When: Wednesday 4th March 2026

Where: Herberts Yard in Birmingham

CLOSEUP COMEDY head back to Birmingham with a heavyweight pairing: the brilliantly sharp Bob Mills and crowd-favourite Brennan Reece, with a hilarious sprinkle of Tal Davies and host Freddy Quinne thrown in for good measure.

Herberts Yard’s buzzing atmosphere makes it the ideal backdrop for a bill that blends seasoned storytelling, quick-fire punchlines and big northern charm. Grab those tickets below now!

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Dan Tiernan: All In - Glasgow

When: Monday 2nd March 2026 (Rescheduled)

Where: Blackfriars Basement in Glasgow

Following a third consecutive sell-out, award-nominated run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Dan Tiernan is back on tour, bringing his latest hour, All In, to venues around the country, including this alluring night at the famous Blackfriars Basement.

All In is a blistering hour of stand-up from one of the most exciting voices in comedy. Expect explosive energy, razor-sharp punchlines, and tightly-packed gags about a man on the brink. Dan Tiernan was one of our comedians to watch out for a couple of years back, and he is proving to live up to that and more. Tickets below.

This event has been cancelled
Due to filming commitments of Dan, this show is now rescheduled to 2/3/26

Sasha Dolgopolov – Creatures Comedy Club

When: Tuesday 17th March 2026

Where: Creatures Comedy Club in Manchester

International cult favourite Sasha Dolgopolov brings their fiercely intelligent, subversive stand-up to Manchester’s Creatures Comedy Club. A queer alternative comedian from Russia who immigrated when the war in Ukraine started, Sasha is known for blending sharp political commentary with absurdist detours and deeply personal storytelling, which never fails to induce a proper giggle.

Creatures’ intimate basement setting is perfect for this kind of boundary-pushing comedy. Tickets won't last long for this one!

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