A brand new national day of celebration, Live Comedy Day (LCD), has been announced today to recognise the vital role live comedy plays in the UK’s economy, cultural identity, and creative future. The inaugural Live Comedy Day will take place on 1st April 2026, with comedy shows, performances and events taking place across the country. Live Comedy Day will be an annual event, helping to showcase the best that the live comedy industry has to offer.
Set up by the Live Comedy Association (LCA), in partnership with BBC Radio 4, Live Comedy Day recognises a sector that contributes over £1 billion to the UK economy and supports thousands of jobs, from performers and promoters to venues, technicians, and festivals. The announcement comes in the wake of the UK Live Comedy Sector Survey 2025, highlighting the significant economic, social, and cultural impact of grassroots live comedy across the UK.
The UK is internationally recognised as a global powerhouse for comedy, producing world-class talent and formats enjoyed across the globe. At the heart of this success is a thriving grassroots live comedy network - community clubs, independent venues, festivals, and regional promoters - which nurtures new voices and launches the comedy stars of tomorrow.
Jessica Toomey, Chair of the Live Comedy Association said “we are delighted to present Live Comedy Day and to launch it at the Night Time Industries Association conference in Liverpool, in partnership with BBC Radio 4. Our aim is to have one day committed to celebrating UK grassroots live comedy and we already have some amazing shows confirmed to take place on 1st April 2026. As a sector we haven’t always shouted about what we do, nor about our contribution and value to the wider UK creative industries. Well, that is now changing and we look forward to welcoming audiences to some amazing shows taking place in venues across the UK.”
Julia McKenzie, BBC Radio 4 Comedy and Entertainment Commissioner said “Comedy is integral to our cultural and national identity and brings people together to find resilience, joy and release in this highly skilled artform. Comedians are at the heart of so many hugely successful and much-loved shows on Radio 4, and other BBC content, and we recognise just how important the network of local comedy clubs and promoters are in helping to develop future stars. Radio 4 airs a vast range of stand-up shows and is delighted to partner with the LCA for this inaugural day.”
The initiative is supported by a group of Comedy Ambassadors, including comedians Joe Lycett, Nish Kumar, Sindhu Vee, Maisie Adam, Chris McCausland, Slim and Daliso Chaponda. These comedians represent the diversity, creativity, and strength of UK live comedy, lending their voices to raise awareness of the sector and champion grassroots venues and performers.
Comedian Joe Lycett said:
“I think Live Comedy Day is very important. It’s very important to support grassroots venues. Roy Walker told me that 'you don’t learn to be funny when they’re laughing' - what a name drop that is! What he means by that is, to me, you need to be in tough rooms where they’re looking at you going “what is this?” And then in the desperation you find funny. We need more, small, brilliant little comedy clubs. I’m playing quite a few at the minute and I’m loving it. To learn your craft, to bring new talent up and to maybe see some people you’ve maybe seen off the telly in small, intimate environments, it’s really important. We’re losing comedy clubs, we gotta keep them kids! Keep watching comedy, stay cool!”
Comedian Nish Kumar said:
“I’m supporting live comedy day, an amazing celebration of grassroots UK live comedy. We don’t do a lot of things well in Britain; our food is disgusting, and a lot of people don’t know how to express their emotions, and our history is sometimes suspect. However live comedy is something we are genuinely world beating at. The eco-system that exists, our grassroots live comedy clubs, festivals and promoters, where future arena comics learn their craft, is world beating. Please check out participating venues and shows near you and support Live Comedy Day on the 1st April.”
Comedian Sindhu Vee added:
“Live Comedy Day is so very important. In order to do what I do now I had to start somewhere and that was open mic nights and other opportunities to be on stage. It involved a number of people, promoters, venues and festival organisers – without that I don’t think I could have become a comic. The atmosphere of those small grassroots gigs is so amazing, and the interaction between the performers and the audience is vital to learn and grow as a performer.”
Comedian and winner of Strictly Come Dancing Chris McCausland added:
“I’ve been a comedian for over 20 years and that’s because of the amazing UK grassroots live comedy scene. I did the open mic circuit for a couple of years before going professional and went on to earn my bread and butter. Even now as a comedian who tours bigger venues, I return to the grassroots circuit to try out new material and experiment with new ideas. Live Comedy Day is about promoting this amazing circuit which is the best in the world. Check out what is going on, look on the website, and get out there and support live comedy.”
Comedian Daliso Chaponda added:
“Live comedy is such an amazing thing. It helps you get through the hard times but also the great thing about comedy is whatever is weird about you, whatever makes you not fit in, in any other sphere would be a negative, but in comedy is a positive. From one weirdo to all your weirdo’s out there, support live comedy day!”
Live Comedy Day has been established to celebrate the art of live comedy, support those working in the sector, and highlight the vital role played by community clubs, promoters, festivals and all other parts of the UK’s live comedy ecosystem. The day also aims to recognise live comedy as a crucial component of the nation’s cultural landscape.
The inaugural Live Comedy Day will feature shows and events across the UK, including Terry Alderton & Friends in Somerset; Nick Mohammed at the London Palladium; Chris McCausland in Plymouth; Pierre Novellie in Portsmouth; Mario Adrion at The Glee Club, Glasgow; Angel Comedy Social Club at The Bill Murray, London; Comedy Translates, a Welsh-language comedy show interpreted live into English, in Wales; Live Comedy Day at The Boat Show Comedy Club in London; Nice N' Spiky Comedy at Fulham Pier; The Alternative Black Cabaret Showcase in Liverpool; and Ria Lina, Sara Barron, Marlon Davis, Valeria Vulpe, and Joe Bor at The 99 Club, Leicester Square, London. More events will be announced ahead of the 1st April.
Venues, promoters, festivals, and performers across the UK are invited to take part in Live Comedy Day. Any live comedy show taking place on 1st April can be registered free of charge on the Live Comedy Day website and will be included in the national listings of events. Registered shows will be promoted as part of Live Comedy Day activity and may receive local and national media coverage.
Organisers are encouraged to mark the day in distinctive ways, from hosting one-off performances or free shows, to staging special events that highlight the role live comedy plays in local communities. Participating venues and promoters will have access to official Live Comedy Day branding and digital materials to ensure visibility across the campaign.
Live Comedy Day is supported by the Live Comedy Association, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company. Organisations and brands interested in supporting the initiative are encouraged to make contact.
