Brighton Dome Comedy Festival 2026: line-up, tickets and family shows

Brighton Dome Comedy Festival returns from Friday 16 to Sunday 25 October 2026, with Tom Davis, Maisie Adam, Nish Kumar and Sam Campbell among the performers heading to the city.

This year’s festival brings Brighton Dome and Komedia together for a programme spanning stand-up, live podcasts, sketch comedy and family entertainment. Shows take place across the Dome’s Concert Hall, Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre, alongside performances at Komedia.

There is a community strand, too, with a fundraiser for YMCA Brighton, free comedy workshops for people in recovery and a showcase giving young comedians the opportunity to perform.

Brighton Dome Comedy Festival at a glance

Who is performing at Brighton Dome?

Tom Davis opens the Concert Hall programme on 16 October with Spudgun. The comedian, known for King Gary, Murder in Successville and the Wolf and Owl podcast, brings a new collection of observations on everyday life.

Brighton’s Maisie Adam follows on 21 October with Whatsherface, while Simon Amstell performs I Love It Here on 22 October. Nish Kumar’s Angry Humour from a Really Nice Guy arrives on 23 October, combining political material with reflections on turning 40.

Sam Campbell closes the festival’s Concert Hall run with two performances of Kid Giblet, on 24 and 25 October. The Australian comedian’s appearances give audiences two opportunities to catch his distinctive absurdist stand-up.

Elsewhere, the festival programme includes musical comedy from Jazz Emu, stand-up from Catherine Bohart and Stevie Martin, and Studio Theatre performances by Celya AB, Lara Ricote and Dan Tiernan.

Live podcasts, a book event and a daytime disco

The Blindboy Podcast LIVE reaches the Concert Hall on 18 October, with a special guest joining the Irish writer and performer for an evening drawing on his interests in culture, history and storytelling.

Katherine Ryan appears at the Corn Exchange on 23 October for a conversation with Chanté Joseph about her book Firstborn Daughter. Tickets include a copy of the book, which explores family expectations and the experience of being an eldest daughter.

On 17 October, All My Friends Day Disco brings Elis James, John Robins and Dave Masterman to the Concert Hall decks. Running from 3pm to 8pm, the event features indie and pop music from the 1980s onwards.

Selected festival dates and ticket prices

The following are selected Brighton Dome performances. Prices are those published by the venue; individual ticket availability may change.

What is on at Komedia?

Komedia’s involvement brings its regular comedy nights and visiting solo shows into the festival. Alfie Brown performs The Entertainer on 16 October, followed by Jordan Brookes on 17 October and an evening of stories, poetry and comedy from Robin Ince and Joanna Neary on 18 October.

Phil Ellis brings Bath Mat to the Basement on 20 October as part of his first full national stand-up tour. The following evening, Solve-Along-a-Murder-She-Wrote invites audiences to tackle a television murder mystery with host Tim Benzie, accompanied by quizzes, games and audience participation.

The Komedia festival programme also includes Comic Boom on 22 October, Funny Women Live in Brighton on 24 October, and closing-day appearances by Aurie Styla, Sooz Kempner and Rich Wilson.

Family comedy and the next generation of performers

Shelf: The Kids Show 2 brings Rachel and Ruby’s sketch comedy to the Studio Theatre on Saturday 24 October at 2pm. Suitable for ages six and over, the show costs £16 for adults and £14 for under-16s.

Later that day, Live at Brighton Dome BLEEPED offers a comedy-club experience for audiences aged 11 and over. Josh Glanc hosts a line-up including Huge Davies and Jordan Brookes, with performers presenting material without the rude bits. The Corn Exchange show starts at 6pm, with tickets at £16 or £12 for under-18s. Children under 14 must be accompanied.

The festival also provides a stage for local young people. Komedia Productions’ free workshops for 11–16-year-olds lead to The Young Comedians Comedy Show at the Studio Theatre on Sunday 25 October at 7pm. Tickets cost £8, or £6 concessions.

The workshop programme, led by Tom Veryzer, began in September and covers stand-up, improvisation, character comedy and writing. The final performance gives audiences a chance to see what participants have developed during the course.

Comedy supporting Brighton communities

Raising the Roof 2, on Monday 19 October, supports YMCA Brighton’s work providing accommodation and support for adults in the city. The announced performers include Joe Wilkinson, Angela Barnes and Dinesh Nathan, with Rich Wilson hosting.

There is also a free six-day programme for people in recovery from addiction. Finding Your Funny, delivered with Brighton-based physical comedy company Spymonkey and Kennedy Street Recovery Hub, runs on Wednesdays to Fridays between 14 and 23 October. The sessions explore comedy and clowning through play and performance.

Brighton Dome Comedy Festival 2026: full events and venues

Brighton Dome Comedy Festival runs from 16 to 25 October 2026, with events across Brighton Dome and Komedia. This combined programme includes all eight Concert Hall events, both Sam Campbell performances and the individual dates for Komedia Comedy Club.

All dates below are in October 2026. Times are advertised start times, rather than door-opening times. Brighton Dome’s Studio Theatre and Komedia’s Studio are separate venues. Details were checked against the official listings on 8 October 2026; follow the event links for current ticket availability and age guidance.

All dates in the main table are in October 2026. Times are advertised start times, rather than door-opening times. Brighton Dome’s Studio Theatre and Komedia’s Studio are separate venues. Details were checked against the official listings on 8 October 2026; follow the event links for current ticket availability and age guidance.

Festival workshops

The festival also includes two workshop courses, with some sessions taking place before the main programme. Contact the organisers about participation and availability.

The young people’s workshops form a continuing course with places allocated by application. Participants also have a rehearsal on 25 October from 2pm to 5pm; the public showcase at 7pm in Brighton Dome’s Studio Theatre appears in the main table.

Finding Your Funny is a free six-day comedy and clowning course for people in recovery, run with Spymonkey and Kennedy Street Recovery Hub. Its taster session took place on 5 October from 1pm to 4pm.

Booking tickets and checking programme changes

Brighton Dome’s booking information says its advertised ticket prices include fees, with no additional order charge. Optional postal delivery costs extra. Many Dome performances also advertise a £2 saving on full-price tickets for Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival members, who should sign in before selecting tickets.

Komedia events may have separate booking charges. For example, Solve-Along-a-Murder-She-Wrote is listed at £14 plus a £2 Komedia booking fee. Check the total and any concession conditions on the individual event page.

Getting to Brighton Dome and Komedia

Brighton Dome’s Concert Hall is on Church Street, BN1 1UE. The Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre entrance is on New Road, BN1 1UG. Check the room named on your ticket before travelling.

The Dome estimates a ten-minute walk from Brighton railway station. Bus stops on North Street, Queen’s Road and Pavilion Parade are nearby. Its travel information includes directions and parking arrangements.

Komedia is at 44–47 Gardner Street, BN1 1UN, in the North Laine. Audiences booking several performances should allow time for each show to finish, leave the venue and reach their next event.

Accessibility and companion tickets

Brighton Dome provides wheelchair-accessible foyers and auditorium access, accessible toilets and hearing-assistance facilities. Contact the ticket office on 01273 709709 about suitable seating and complimentary personal-assistant tickets, which its booking guidance says should be arranged by phone or in person. Further details are on the Dome’s accessibility page.

Komedia offers a free companion ticket to customers who need support to attend. These can be arranged on 01273 647100 or through [email protected]. Read its access information and let the venue know about any seating or wheelchair requirements when booking.

Frequently asked questions

Are all festival performances captioned?

Check the individual performance before booking. Although the festival’s general publicity describes captioning across Brighton Dome performances, the All My Friends Day Disco listing explicitly says it is not captioned. Sam Campbell’s listing specifies a captioned performance on 24 October. Contact the venue if you need confirmation for another date.

Can I dance with a seated ticket for All My Friends?

The £21.50 circle tickets require audiences to remain seated. The £25.50 stalls tickets provide standing access with some unreserved seating. Brighton Dome says audiences cannot move between the circle and stalls, so choose the appropriate option when booking.

How long do the shows last?

Running times vary. Tom Davis’s published schedule gives an approximate finish of 9.35pm after a 7.30pm start, including an interval. All My Friends runs from 3pm to 8pm. Check the individual listing or pre-show email for other performances before arranging a return journey or booking another show that evening.

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