Bristol Comedy Festival 2026 brings a full-city eruption of stand-up, sketch, satire and glorious nonsense. Spanning theatres, clubs, pubs and pop-ups, the festival pulls in rising stars, household names and the brilliantly weird corners of the comedy world. Expect work-in-progress chaos, late-night alternative sets, big-room bangers, family shows and street-level surprises as comedy spills across the city. Alongside the main programme, look out for panels, podcasts, workshops and fringe takeovers championing Bristol’s homegrown scene. Whether you want sharp political bite, surreal silliness or pure belly-laugh joy, this year’s festival promises the brightest week of humour in the southwest