Monkey Barrel Comedy has released its third batch of shows for Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026.

Building on earlier releases which included familiar names like James Acaster, Ania Magliano, and Phil Ellis, the latest batch adds a broad mix of returning Monkey Barrel favourites, major work-in-progress performances, special events, and late-night oddities.

Among the latest additions are Phil Wang, who joins his BudPod partner Pierre Novellie on the line-up, alongside former Trusty Hogs co-hosts Catherine Bohart and Helen Bauer. Edinburgh Comedy Awards ‘Best Show’ winners Rose Matafeo and John Kearns are also returning to Monkey Barrel for 2026. Other returning favourites include Vittorio Angelone, who is bringing back his unscripted hit Off The Cuff, Fringe Legend Award winner John-Luke Roberts, and The Bugle regular Tiff Stevenson. 

Joining them are some of the most exciting stand-ups on the circuit, including Josh Pugh, Thor Stenhaug, and Rachel Galvo. As well as social media sensation Tatty Macleod, Australian TV star Tom Ballard, and New York based Irish comedian Katie BoyleSeveral local favourites have also been added to the programme, including Mitchell And Webb Are Not Helping’s Krystal Evans, local alt-comedy hero Phil O’Shea, and a one-off WIP date from musical comedian Amelia Bayler. After a sold-out run last year, character comedian Zara Gladman also brings her hugely popular Aileen back for a single performance.

New acts for 2026 include the hugely popular Holy Shit Improv, regulars at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), the leading US improv comedy theatre that Monkey Barrel announced a partnership with earlier this year. Also joining from the US is Sydnee Washington, an Emmy-award nominee and award-winning writer on Inside Amy Schumer.

There’s also plenty of alt-comedy and clowning, with cult favourites like Luke Rollason, Mr Chonkers, and ‘Barry and Tony in The Baritones’ (John-Luke Roberts and Joz Norris) adding a healthy helping of weirdness. Beloved grouch and ‘Best Newcomer’ winner Frankie Monroe (Joe Kent-Walters) also returns with a new, family-friendly WIP.

With three releases now on sale, Monkey Barrel Comedy’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 programme continues to take shape as one of its biggest and most ambitious to date, with further announcements still to come.

Tickets are on sale now at edfringe.com