HeritageLive Festivals have announced the addition of a major live comedy programme to their celebrated summer event at The Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, bringing a full weekend bill featuring both world-class live music and stand-up comedy for the first time.

 

For 2026, audiences will be able to enjoy a full day of entertainment on the Estate, with live comedy running throughout the afternoon before the evening’s headline music performances begin on the main stage.

 

The new comedy programme will take place at Sandringham, in a huge Big-Top situated within a new comedy field on the Estate. Opening each day from 11:00am, the stage will host a packed line-up of stand-up performances running until approximately 5:00pm, when audiences can then make their way to the main arena for the evening’s live music.

 

Access to the COMEDY BIG TOP STAGE is included within the ticket price of all concert goers.

 

One of the comedy lineups of the summer, the 5-days of events at Sandringham will see some of the biggest names in the UK headlining the Comedy Big Top, with Russell Howard, Russell Kane, Rory Bremner, Josh Widdicombe, and Tom Allen topping the bill across the dates, alongside a packed line-up of leading names from the UK stand-up circuit.

 

Each day will also see a ‘Comedy Legend’ guest slot, featuring legends of stand-up including Mick Miller, Punt & Dennis, Jasper Carrott, Arthur Smith, and Bobby Davro.

 

The comedians will join an already spectacular line-up of musical talent performing across the weekend at The Sandringham Estate, featuring headliners Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, and Eric Clapton.

 

Multi-day tickets are available across the festival dates, offering guests better value while giving them the chance to experience more of the programme over a longer stay rather than limiting their visit to a single day. Festival-goers can also extend their time on site with camping and luxury glamping on the Royal Sandringham Estate, making it easy to turn the festival into a full weekend experience.

 

Kicking the Festival off on Wednesday will be a lineup headlined by Rory Bremner, with special guest Milton Jones and sets from Pierre Hollins, Julian Deane, Mandy Muden, MC Kevin McCarthy, and a ‘Comedy Legend’ guest set from Bobby Davro.

 

Thursday sees Josh Widdicombe headline the Comedy Big Top, following sets from Rob Deering, Lou Conran, Eddy Brimson, Ben Norris and Jake Lambert, with Arthur Smith making a special ‘Comedy Legend’ appearance.

 

On Friday, Russell Howard tops the bill, joined by special guest Sara Pascoe and sets from Tez Ilyas and Laura Smyth, Mary Bourke and Ben Norris, while iconic double act Punt & Dennis appear in the ‘Comedy Legend’ spot.

 

Saturday’s programme is headlined by Russell Kane, with Rich Wilson, Dave Johns, Dominic Frisby, Marcel Lucont and Ninia Benjamin also performing, and legendary comedian Mick Miller featured as the day’s ‘Comedy Legend’ guest.

 

The Comedy Big Top programme rounds off on Sunday with Tom Allen closing the weekend, with special guest Henning When and sets from Mike Gunn, Angela Barnes, Scott Bennett, plus a special ‘Comedy Legend’ appearance from the incomparable Jasper Carrott.

 

Giles Cooper of HeritageLive Festivals commented: “From the very beginning, our vision for the shows at The Sandringham Estate has been to create something really special - world-class entertainment in one of the most beautiful and historic settings in the country. The response to the concerts over the past few years has been phenomenal, and we’re incredibly excited to now expand the experience by introducing a full programme of live comedy in the Comedy Big Top at Sandringham.

 

Festival-goers can now enjoy this lineup of fantastic stand-up performances before heading to the main arena for our headline music shows. We can’t wait to make another week full of special memories and incredible performances.”

 

Wednesday 19 August
JANET JACKSON
Plus Special Guests: Wyclef Jean, Soul II Soul

Comedy Big Top Stage:
Headliner: Rory Bremner
Special Guest: Milton Jones

Comedy Legend Spot: Bobby Davro
Plus sets from: Pierre Hollins, Mandy Muden, Julian Deane

MC: Kevin McCarthy

 

Thursday 20 August
LIONEL RICHIE
Plus Special Guests: Dave Stewart Eurythmics, Joss Stone, Brooke Combe

Comedy Big Top Stage:
Headliner: Josh Widdicombe

Special Guest: Jake Lambert
Comedy Legend Spot: Arthur Smith
Plus sets from: Lou Conran, Eddy Brimson, Rob Deering
MC: Ben Norris

 

Friday 21 August
CHRISTINA AGUILERA
Plus Special Guests: Craig David Presents TS5, Blue, Ruby Roberts

Comedy Big Top Stage:
Headliner: Russell Howard

Special Guest: Sara Pascoe
Comedy Legend Spot: Punt & Dennis
Plus sets from: Mary Bourke, Tez Ilyas, Laura Smyth
MC: Ben Norris

 

Saturday 22 August
RICKY MARTIN
Plus Special Guests: Sugababes, Olly Alexander, Sophie Castillo

Comedy Big Top Stage:
Headliner: Russell Kane

Special Guest: Dave Johns
Comedy Legend Spot: Mick Miller
Plus sets from: Rich Wilson, Dominic Frisby, Ninia Benjamin
MC: Marcel Lucont

 

Sunday 23 August
ERIC CLAPTON
Plus Special Guests: Ronnie Wood & His Band, Andy Fairweather Low + The Low Riders, Will Wilde

Comedy Big Top Stage:
Headliner: Tom Allen

Special Guest: Henning Wehn
Comedy Legend Spot: Jasper Carrott
Plus sets from: Mike Gunn, Dan Evans, Scott Bennett
MC: Kevin McCarthy