Live Comedy Day
Live Comedy Day is an annual celebration of live comedy across the UK, bringing together comedians, venues, promoters, producers and audiences for one nationwide moment.
The day shines a light on an industry that brings people together, creates communities and contributes an estimated £1 billion to the UK economy every year.
From grassroots clubs and open mic nights to major theatres and festivals, Live Comedy Day celebrates the people and places that make live comedy happen. It recognises the cultural, social and economic impact of one of the UK’s most loved art forms.
Created by the Live Comedy Association (in partnership with BBC Radio 4), Live Comedy Day aims to raise the profile of the sector and celebrate the unforgettable moments that can only happen in a room full of people laughing together.
“There's a national day for many things - including Yorkshire Pudding Day, Football Shirt Day, Hummus Day, National Receptionist Day and, perhaps more seriously, National Album Day and Record Store Day.
“We felt there was a great opportunity to work together and have one day to celebrate UK live comedy.”
— Jessica Toomey, Director of the Live Comedy AssociationLive Comedy Day 2026
On 1 April 2026, live comedy took over the UK. Across 65 venues - from The Yellow Book in Brighton (30 seats, hosted by the “incredible, insatiable, and incorrigible” Leslie Bloom) to the Royal Albert Hall where Vir Das played to 3,500, audiences turned out to celebrate the art form that works best in the room.
More than 120 comedians performed, including John Bishop, James Acaster, Zoe Lyons, and Shaparak Khorsandi - delivering over 5,850 minutes of live comedy, all organised by some amazing promoters and producers. From Edinburgh in the north to Plymouth in the south, venues including The Comedy Store (London), London Palladium, the Glee Club (Birmingham & Glasgow), and the Frog & Bucket (Manchester), helped create a nationwide moment for live comedy.
With a combined venue capacity of 20,000, the day was backed by supporters including Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Jon Petrie and Julia McKenzie (BBC), Sara Wajid (Birmingham Museums Trust), and Mark Davyd (Music Venues Trust) - all championing the people and places that keep live comedy thriving.
Industry Feedback for Live Comedy Day 2026
“It’s been amazing working with the LCA and all the promoters, comedians and venues across the UK on the first ever Live Comedy Day.
“The project aimed to raise the profile of, and celebrate, grassroots live comedy and it’s been wonderful to see so many shows taking part, from the small, intimate gigs to bigger ones at the Palladium and elsewhere.
“Nice to hear so much coverage of grassroots comedy on our BBC Local Radio Stations and I loved our extended Live From The UK show too – full of terrific stand-up from Edinburgh, Brighton, Swansea and Belfast.
“I look forward to working together to make 2027 even better!”
Julia McKenzie
Commissioning Editor for Comedy and Entertainment, BBC Radio 4
“Live Comedy Day is a brilliant and much-needed initiative that shines a light on the importance of live comedy not just as entertainment, but as a vital part of our cultural and creative economy.”
Donald Taffner Jnr DLT Entertainment
“At a time when the world could use more laughter, the stakes for grassroots comedy couldn't feel higher. Rising costs are hitting venues, promoters, and festivals at every level and without those spaces to take risks on emerging talent, the pipeline that produces our most beloved shows dries up. It's worth saying clearly: there would be no Last One Laughing, no Taskmaster, no Inside No. 9, no Mash Report without the smaller stages where those artists first found their voices and honed their craft.
“This matters beyond the economics. As the arts risk becoming the preserve of those who can afford to play at them, we must protect the infrastructure that allows someone with nothing but talent and nerve to become the next household name. Live Comedy Day is a fantastic step towards that - a collective statement that live comedy is worth fighting for.”
Daisy Skepelhorn PBJ Management
In the news
Live Comedy Day 2026 was covered in Big Issue, The One Show, Times Radio, BBC Front Row, Loose Ends, BBC London, Chortle, Broadway World, BBC Wales and BBC local radio.
Thank you to all of them for helping spread the word about why live comedy matters.