Bath Fringe Festival returns from Friday 22 May to Sunday 7 June with a packed comedy programme combining major names from the UK comedy circuit with grassroots stand-up, new writing and alternative performance across the city.
Taking place alongside the wider Bath Fringe programme of more than 130 events across 17 days, this year’s comedy line-up spans established clubs, underground venues and pop-up performance spaces.
The Fez Comedy Club celebrates 30 years
One of the centrepieces of this year’s programme is the 30th anniversary celebration of Bath’s long-running comedy institution, The Fez Comedy Club.
The celebrations begin on Friday 22 May at the Roper Theatre with Ed Byrne & Friends. Byrne last appeared at The Fez in 1999 and now returns as one of the UK’s best-known stand-up comedians following decades of television, touring and festival appearances.
The show also features Lindsay Santoro, MC Alan Francis and the winner of the 2026 Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition.
Later in the festival, alternative comedy legend Nigel Planer appears at the Roper Theatre on Friday 5 June with Young Once – A Life Less Heavy.
Best known as Neil from cult sitcom The Young Ones, Planer was one of the defining figures of the 1980s alternative comedy movement. His Fringe appearance combines memoir, storytelling and sharp observational humour reflecting on a remarkable career in comedy and performance.
Bath Comedy Festival brings major names to the Fringe
Bath Comedy Festival presents a special run of shows at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bath during the May Bank Holiday weekend.
On Sunday, 24 May, impressionist and actor Debra Stephenson brings The Many Voices of Debra Stephenson to the Fringe. Known for Dead Ringers, Spitting Image, The Imitation Game and Bad Girls, Stephenson combines musical performance with impressions of celebrities and politicians in a fast-moving live show.
The same evening sees Frank Sanazi & Sol Bernstein present Swing & Shtick – It’s All Forgotten Now!, blending parody, cabaret and old-school stand-up through character comedy.
On Monday, 25 May, comedian and spoken word performer Chris McGlade brings his critically acclaimed show Forgiveness to Bath Fringe. Combining humour, political commentary and deeply personal storytelling, the show has received standing ovations and rave reviews across the country.
The Jesters expands Bath’s underground comedy scene
One of Bath’s newest comedy venues, The Jesters Comedy Club, runs throughout the Fringe with a packed schedule of stand-up nights, open mics and workshops.
Operating from an intimate basement venue beneath The Assembly Inn, The Jesters hosts regular Friday and Saturday showcase performances featuring touring comedians and local acts, alongside Pint & A Laugh new material nights and weekly Open Mic sessions.
The venue also hosts Writers Room, a comedy writing workshop aimed at supporting developing comedians and comedy writers.
The Fringe programme highlights the growing grassroots comedy scene in Bath while giving audiences access to both emerging performers and established touring acts.
Fringe favourites and alternative comedy
Elsewhere in the programme, Stevie Parker presents Big Bloke with Big Jokes across multiple Fringe dates, attempting a chaotic world-record challenge of performing 1001 jokes in 55 minutes.
Across the wider Fringe, comedy continues to blur into cabaret, theatre and experimental live performance, reflecting Bath Fringe’s long-standing DIY spirit and support for adventurous new work.
Bath Fringe Festival 2026 runs from Friday 22 May to Sunday 7 June.
For full listings, tickets and updates, visit:
Join In The Fun
Bath Fringe 2026 runs from Friday 22 May to Sunday 7 June. Printed programmes are now appearing around the city, and the full schedule is live atwww.bathfringe.co.uk.
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