By Remayah Tulloch-Hunter
People wanting a day not to forget are being encouraged to book in to enjoy the Leicester Comedy Festival from February 5 to 23 with a variety of comedians from all over the UK due to take part.
First run in 1994, the festival has been going for 32 years and is now the biggest of its kind in Europe, with the 2025 line-up including Katherine Ryan, Milton Jones, Seann Walsh, Darren Harriott, Zoe Lyons, Marcus Brigstocke and Jack Dee.
“When I was assistant producer, I ran a show at De Montfort Hall with Jo Brand and Arthur Smith,” said Charlotte Laidet, now director of the comedy festival. “We were backstage and, realising I was French, they started talking to me in French.
“It was a fun anecdote to see those huge acts from the UK and to hang out with them and gave a cool little moment.”
The Leicester Comedy Festival is a small charity that works year-round for the community to join and take part in the event to show their talent. As well as the big names, the event is for the community to watch new acts coming in and performing in front of everyone.
The secret tours tickets are also back – enabling people to buy a ticket online to see three shows in one night but with no idea which events they will be watching. Book at https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/secret-tours.
The Kids’ Comedy Festival, dedicated to getting young people and teenagers involved and performing in front of their families and friends, is back for a seventh year running.
It will take place alongside the main comedy festival and helps children to develop their personality, creative writing skills, public speaking, mental health and confidence.
Throughout the half-term, workshops will be provided in primary schools for young people to learn about different types of comedy. For details, visit https://ukkidscomedyfestival.co.uk.
People can also volunteer at the Leicester Comedy Festival by visiting https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3MCc3_-xInX9vQ4bd-N5vb-901M4jr9Trm19xXAu5kmpfEA/viewform?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaalWcu92JsXMF4wkuTZfz-N2MsgiMP19qAbFOLOLDQ8eHjn87p7k4Dzy6g_aem_2tJapMM32VFL-bAzmtekmg&pli=1