The 2026 Hastings Comedy Festival

The Hastings Comedy Festival is excited to announce its complete 2026 line-up, with over 90 performances taking over venues across Hastings and St Leonards from 1st June to 7th June 2026. Audiences can expect comedy favourites such as Taskmaster champion Maisie Adam, internationally renowned stand-up and podcast host Red Richardson, Mock The Week regular Rhys James, and viral comic and writer Joe Wells at this year’s Festival.

Red Richardson

They will be joined by American actor and sketch comedian Russell Hicks, British-Pakistani legend Tez Ilyas, Mexican-American-Venezuelan storyteller Lara Ricote, and political comedian and activist Mark Thomas. After sell-out shows last year, 2026 will also see the return of improv group The RH Experience, Singaporean stand-up and Edinburgh Fringe’s 2024 Best Newcomer winner Jin Hao Li, razor-sharp sensation Josh Baulf, larger than life character comedian President Obonjo and Canadian stand-up veteran Tony Law, and 2025 Hastings Comedy Festival Norman Award-winner for Best Newcomer Oliver Moore.

Maisie Adam and Rhys James

The Festival will also include the return of late-night comedy, much loved Open Mic Saturday at Ye Olde Pump House, Comedy for Kids at the Festival’s newest venue,The Spun Glass Theatre in Hastings Old Town's The Stade area, and finishes with the prestigious “Norman Award’’ newcomer competition, taking place at The Piper on the Sunday afternoon. The Hastings Comedy Festival will take place across local venues including the Albion, the Observer Building, the White Rock Studio, Jenny Lind, Ye Olde Pump House, The Piper, The St Leonard, Oscars, Electric Palace, East Hastings Angling Club, Sugarpie Honeybuns, Frenches, Brewing Brothers @Source and The Printworks.“This year’s festival promises to be a vibrant mix of laughter and creativity, offering something for everyone from classic stand-up comedy to clowning, theatre to puppetry and more.”

“With tour performances, exclusive previews and WIPs from some of the UK’s biggest names to the freshest new Hastings talent, festival goers will experience the absolute best of the comedy scene down by the seaside, and wecan’t wait to see you there!” said Hastings Comedy Festival Director Chris Young.

Full listings and ticket information can be found at Free Programmes are now available across the area.

Tickets are on sale now via www.hastingscomedyfestival.com and free printed programmes are available throughout Hastings.