Liverpool will host the BBC Comedy Festival in May 2026 as the annual event returns for a fifth time.
From Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 May 2026, Liverpool will be home to a series of talks, panels, screenings, a short film night, and live comedy shows.
Previously held in Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Newcastle, the festival is an opportunity for those working in the TV industry – whether well-established or fledgling in their careers – to get together, celebrate and discuss comedy.
The BBC Comedy Festival 2025 was held in Belfast featured 16 panels and masterclasses over two days, with over 70 comedy names on stage including Steve Coogan, Lisa McGee, Ash Atalla, and Michelle de Swarte.
During the festival, BBC Comedy and BBC Northern Ireland announced a new initiative to ringfence £500k of funding for comedy production in Northern Ireland. The 2026 festival in Liverpool will mark the beginning of development and production opportunities in the North West region, with more details will follow.
BBC Comedy Festival in Liverpool will also feature a selection of panels and events that are open to the public. More information on the dates, venues and how to get tickets will be available closer to the event.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “Our city is well known for its sense of humour and has produced some of the country’s top comedic talent, so it feels natural to be welcoming the next BBC Comedy Festival to Liverpool.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for those working in the industry to come together with peers to learn and collaborate, whilst celebrating an important part of our city’s culture.
“We’re also looking forward to working with the BBC on developing a programme to support future talent development and production opportunities throughout the region.”
Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC, said: “Liverpool has funny bones and a rich culture of producing top tier comedy creatives, so we’re delighted to be bringing the BBC Comedy Festival 2026 to the city.
“Comedy forms a unique corner of the television industry and in British culture. It’s important that we provide a forum that brings together some of the best comedy minds to celebrate and discuss the success of the sector now and in the future.”