Outdoor comedy event Comedy at the Castle has revealed an all-star line-up, including Chris McCausland, Joanne McNally and Paul Smith, for a bumper fourth edition in 2026, along with a third castle venue.
Comedy at the Castle will transform the stunning medieval castle grounds of Warwick, Powderham Exeter, and now Lancaster, with household names and emerging talent from the world of comedy plus an exclusive food and drink offering throughout May, June and July next year.
Al Murray, Russell Kane, Joanne McNally, and Paul Smith are amongst comics headlining year four of the popular event which has drawn over 20,000 comedy fans to the hosting venues in the Midlands and South West since 2023.
Combining evenings of live performances from some of the funniest names in British and Irish comedy with award-winning street food traders; cocktail, craft ale and fizz bars, and top-class live production, Comedy at the Castle has won over legions of laughter aficionados in just a short time.
Organised by established promoters Closeup Comedy and street food experts Digbeth Dining Club, the three-day independently-run festival will see 30 comedians specialising in one-liners, observational, satirical, and surreal comedy take to stages across three stunning sites.
Harry Jenkins, Comedy at the Castle director, said: “We are totally overjoyed to finally release our biggest and best line-up yet, which draws on the success of previous years as well as feedback from audience members.
“Adding Lancaster Castle has been almost 18 months in the making, and 2026 feels like the right moment to grow our offering.
“The Comedy at the Castle team is really looking forward to working with friends and partners in the Midlands, South West and North West to bring more comedy, street food and great nights out to fans old and new in 2026.”
Multi-award-winning comedian, presenter, actor, author, and scriptwriter Russell Kane is a regular on Channel 4, BBC, and ITV. Winner of Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards - becoming the first comedian to win both Edinburgh and Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Barry Award in one year.
Chris McCausland danced into the hearts of the nation with his ground-breaking performances winning the BBC’s biggest show, Strictly Come Dancing, in December 2024.
Al Murray's alter ego, The Pub Landlord, is one of the most recognizable and successful comic creations of the past twenty years, and Murray, who has won numerous awards and accolades, continues to fill arenas and theatres around the world.
Described by national press as a ‘truly gifted stand-up’, Irish comic Joanne McNally has been taking Ireland and the UK’s comedy scene by storm with sell-out tours, hilarious chat show appearances, and a hit documentary.
Paul Smith’s rise to fame in the comedy world has been nothing short of phenomenal. Recently concluding a record-breaking European tour that concluded at London’s O2 Arena last week, the funnyman infamously honed his skills as resident compere for Hot Water Comedy Club Liverpool, and has evolved into their most prized asset with distinctive charm and cheeky wit.
The following comedians are confirmed for Comedy at the Castle 2026: Stephen Bailey, Angela Barnes, Ed Byrne, Scott Bennett, Hal Cruttenden, Larry Dean, Daniel Foxx, Hayley Ellis, Rachel Fairburn, Thomas Green, Nina Gilligan, Janine Harouni, Josh Jones, Russell Kane, Esther Manito, Chris McCausland, Joanne McNally, Al Murray, Gbemi Oladipo, Freddy Quinne, Hatty Preston, Brennan Reece, Mike Rice, Chris McCausland, Lindsey Santoro, Paul Smith, Paul Sinha, Fin Taylor, Seann Walsh
Tickets for Comedy at the Castle 2026, at Warwick Castle (22--24 May), Lancaster Castle (19-21 June) and Powderham Castle Exeter (17-19 July) go on pre-sale to subscribers at 1000 on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Sign up via comedyatthecastle.co.uk.
Tickets go on general sale to the public at 10.00am on Friday 28 November 2025.
