The Last Laugh: The best comedy events on Skiddle
We're back with the Last Laugh, this time for the March 2026 edition, where we showcase the best comedy events on sale on Skiddle in the coming months. Check them out below!
Last updated: 27th Mar 2026
Originally published: 25th Mar 2026
The days are getting longer, the sun’s teasing us, and there’s a faint sense we're crawling out of winter at last. But while the weather’s starting to warm up, the comedy calendar hasn’t needed any help; it’s been absolutely firing already, and Spring's comedic line-ups on Skiddle are looking tastier than the fast-approaching sun-soaked pint in the beer garden.
From huge summer spectacles already locking in across castles and open-air arenas, to springtime tours, cult club nights and some of the sharpest voices on the circuit heading out on the road, this month’s edition of The Last Laugh is stacked with reasons to get something in the diary.
Comedy at the Castle is coming up fast, ready to up for another huge year, Russell Howard leading a massive outdoor gala, and names like Lucy Beaumont, Mark Watson, Alison Spittle, and more bringing the goods across the UK. There’s plenty here whether you’re planning ahead or just chasing your next night out.
So, scroll on, grab your tickets, and get yourself out of hibernation the right way, with a proper laugh.
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
Comedy at the Castle: Saturday Night with Russell Kane + more! - Saturday 23rd May 2026
Comedy at the Castle: Sunday Night with Chris McCausland + more! - Sunday 24th May 2026
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
Comedy at the Castle: Saturday Night with Russell Kane and more! - Saturday 20th June 2026
Comedy at the Castle: Sunday Night with Paul Smith and more! - Sunday 21st June 2026
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
Comedy at the Castle: Saturday Night with Paul Smith and more! - Saturday 18th July 2026
Comedy at the Castle: Sunday Night with Al Murray and more! - Sunday 19th July 2026
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.
Tadiwa Mahlunge: Hakuna Ma Tad Tad || Creatures Comedy Club
When: Friday 24th April 2026
Where: Creatures Comedy Club in Manchester
Tadiwa Mahlunge is one of the fastest-rising stars in British comedy, and you have the chance to catch him next month in the intimate surroundings of the Creatures comedy basement. Named by The Times as one of their “Top 3 Stars of Tomorrow” and this new show, Hakuna Ma Tad Tad, is a revelation best explained by the man himself:
“I'm back with a new show about how being a refugee forged my ambition, self-belief and why I believe you deserve the same Kanye-level confidence I have (without the life-altering trauma). I have in no way cynically leveraged my life story and timed this tour to profiteer off the tense mood on immigration in the nation, and any such accusation will be met with litigation from my mother."
Funny Beeseness: Lucy Beaumont
When: Sunday 17th May 2026
Where: The Castle And Falcon in Birmingham
The brilliantly offbeat Lucy Beaumont heads to Birmingham for another instalment of Funny Beeseness, bringing her unmistakable blend of surreal observations and razor-dry delivery. From Taskmaster to Meet the Richardsons, she’s become one of the most recognisable faces in UK comedy — but it’s on stage where she’s at her absolute best.
Expect sharp tangents, perfectly timed awkwardness, and a set that swings between daft and deceptively clever with ease. A proper Sunday night treat.
Mark Watson: Before it Overtakes Us
When: Wednesday 10th June 2026
Where: Old Fire Station in Carlisle
Everyone's favourite bundle of awkward hilarity, multi-award-winning comic and Taskmaster favourite Mark Watson, returns with a brand-new show.
"A recent encounter with a stranger caused Mark to spend some time pondering the uncertain future facing humanity. He explores this - along with equally pressing matters like the worst word he has ever said in public, the current state of the UK sausage industry, and much more - in a typically frantic and fun-packed new show."
André De Freitas: Public Display of Affection || Creatures
When: Wednesday 6th May 2026
Where: Creatures Comedy Club in Manchester
André De Freitas brings his sharp, globally honed stand-up to the intimate surroundings of Creatures Comedy Club in May, with a show that blends cultural commentary, personal storytelling and a mischievous edge.
A co-creator of Comedy Therapy, a live show and podcast blending humour and mental health, over 60 million views across social platforms, and performances in over 30 countries, make this a must-see show for any true comedy fan. Tickets below now!
CLOSEUP COMEDY at Rother St Arts House with Adam Rowe and more!
When: Thursday 2nd April 2026
Where: Stratford Play House in Stratford-upon-Avon
CLOSEUP COMEDY roll into Stratford-upon-Avon with another stacked bill, headlined by the socuse comedy king himself, Have A Word’s own Adam Rowe. Add in a supporting cast of Matt Richardson and Laura Smyth, with the reliably naughty hosting of Freddy Quinne, and you've got yourself a recipe for some sore sides.
Plus, with CLOSEUP setting it all in a beautiful 400-seater theatre, there's going to be little standing in the way of this being a night to remember!
Max Roddy: The Peter Pan Tour, Live at the Cosh
When: Friday 22nd May 2026
Where: The Cosh Bar And Grill in Derry
Few are rising through the Irish comedic ranks like Northern Ireland's own Max Roddy, and this May, he brings his Peter Pan Tour to Derry - "a chaotic, childish and wildly unpredictable stand-up hour packed with manic energy and absurd twists."
With over 40 million views online and appearances at the UK’s biggest comedy clubs, Max has built a reputation for relentless pace, mischievous storytelling, and a genuine “what will he do next?” presence. Imagine if Peter Kay and Lee Evans had a baby - and it never learned to sit still.
Rob Thomas: Content
When: Thursday 11th June 2026
Where: Blackfriars Basement in Glasgow
The hilariously honest scouser Rob Thomas brings his latest show Content to the iconic Blackfriars Basement early this summer, and after supporting the likes of Paul Smith, Adam Rowe, Troy Hawke and more, this isn't one you want to miss out on.
"Rob Thomas insists he’s happy. His face disagrees. His vibe disagrees. Even his own material disagrees. Still, he’s doing his best to be a top-tier husband, father and functioning adult - despite the wife, kid and entirely his own melodramatics."
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