Manchester Comedy Festival

The Manchester Comedy Festival is one of the largest events of its kind in the UK, regularly attracting the biggest names in comedy.

The Festival was founded in 2001 by Don Ward, the owner of The Comedy Store, who identified the wealth of talent that has risen through the ranks in Manchester including Steve Coogan, Caroline Aherne, Peter Kay, Craig Cash, John Thompson and many more. 

Having celebrated its 10th year in 2010 with over 200 shows and 34 venues, the Festival attracted more than 45,000 people, generating £1.5 million for the local economy. In 2011 things only got bigger as more than 240 shows made up the programme across 45 venues around Manchester, including the likes of Peter Kay, Rob Brydon, Stephen Merchant and Micky Flanagan.

The Festival continues showcase the stellar names in comedy whilst nurturing the next in line to the throne, with comics that have emerged from the Manchester circuit including the likes of John Bishop, Jason Manford, Sarah Millican and Alan Carr, as well as even newer faces such as Joe Lycett and Chris Ramsay.

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