Everything you need to know about the Southport Comedy Festival

Don’t miss the Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones MINI when it returns this Friday for its 13^th year – and here’s everything you need to know!

When does Southport Comedy Festival take place?

From 27^th September 2024 to 13^th October 2024 stars of the comedy world will descend on the lovely seaside town of Southport for 17 fun filled days of laughter.

Where is it held?

The entire festival will be staged for a fourth year in a giant luxury heated and fully seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees in Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show. All seating is unreserved, if you have special requirements please see the Accessibility section below.

How can I book tickets?

Visit the Southport Comedy Festival website for the full line up, information and direct links to book tickets.

Who is performing?

The star studded lineup includes undisputed godfather of modern stand-Up Ben Elton, TV superstar Jason Manford, German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn, American Comedy Legend Rich Hall, Festival favourites Jason Byrne, Jimeoin, Godfather of Political Comedy Mark Thomas, Star of ITV’S The Chase Paul Sinha ‘The Sinnerman’, comedy stars of TV Jo Caulfield ,Hal Cruttenden, Ria Lina, Patrick Monahan, Comedy Circuit favourites The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Review, Rising local star Katie Tracey, host of smash hit podcast ‘Have a Word’, Dan Nightingale and one of the UKs most treasured entertainers Mick Miller.

Five shows have already sold out and others are selling fast so make sure to grab your tickets for the shows you want to see while they are still available!

The festival is also supporting the stars of tomorrow with the return of the Southport New Comedian of the Year Competition, sponsored for a third year by Dragon Soop. The final takes place on Sunday 6^th October with 8 comedians selected from over 100 applicants from around the country battling it out for the coveted title. This event is always a highlight of the festival.

The festival is proud to support charity fundraising. This year it will be ‘raising money while raising a smile’ with special charity events planned for two great local charities Southport Flower Show and Community Link Foundation, this event is sponsored by Anthony James Estate Agents for a second year.

Entrances

Entry to the Festival is via the Esplanade Entrance to Victoria Park, PR8 1RX. The pedestrian entrance is by the Splash World roundabout where Victoria Way and the Esplanade converge. The entry for vehicles and passengers is opposite Southport Park and Ride

Parking

On-site parking is free of charge for festival ticket holders.

There are a limited number of spaces for Blue Badge holders closer to the venue. These spaces are unreserved and allocated on a first come first served basis. Please show your badge to the car park marshall on arrival and you will be directed to the disabled car park.

Accessibility

The Festival will take place in Victoria Park in a bespoke luxury heated marquee built on a grassed area. Access to the marquee is on paved paths and the marquee will have level hard flooring. There may be low ramps to negotiate at the entrances.

All seating is at ground floor level. The Festival makes use of toilet block facilities normally used for the Southport Flower Show. These are situated outside close to the marquee and both male and female toilets have a disabled adapted cubicle. Access to the toilets is via paved pathways.

All shows are fully seated and general seating is unreserved, if you have any special requirements such as wheelchair space please contact organisers via the website in advance and they will do our utmost to accommodate you.

Please be aware that shows can be noisy with spontaneous loud laughter, clapping, music and various public address announcements.

Organisers want our less able customers to enjoy our shows without barriers. If this means you need a carer to accompany you to an event, they may be able to accommodate this at their discretion at no additional charge subject to availability and appropriate supporting documentation.

Please contact them before purchasing your ticket to ensure your needs can be accommodated. You can open a contact form by clicking here.

Food and drink

There will be a fully licensed bar courtesy of Elite Marquees Bars. Food will be available for purchase pre show and at the interval.

Important rail travel information

Due to essential engineering works at Southport Station there will be a Rail Replacement service operating between Formby and Southport between 5th – 14th October. For Comedy Festival ticket holders using the train on these dates please allow extra time when planning your journey. A timetable for the affected dates is available on the Merseyrail web site.