Big names and rising stars on comedy festival bill

Babatunde Aléshé is one of the big-name acts set to appear at Birmingham Comedy Festival

A 10-day comedy festival is to feature established artists such as Joe Lycett and Babatunde Aléshé, alongside debut performers and rising stars.

The annual Birmingham Comedy Festival, now it its 24th year, runs from 3 to 12 October and comprises more than 90 shows.

It launches at The Glee Club, with the award of a prize for emerging regional talent, won in 2024 by comedian Tom Towelling who is also one half of Birmingham double act Good Kids.

Shows are taking place in theatres and other venues across the city, including in the Jewellery Quarter, Stirchley and Moseley.

Multi-award winner Aléshé performs at The Alexandra theatre on Suffolk Street, Queensway on 4 October.

Meanwhile Kane Brown will appear at the Town Hall the following night, and popular Irish stand-up Jason Byrne at the same venue on 10 October.

A series of events will celebrate film and TV comedy, including The Comic Strip Presents on 4 October and Trigger Happy TV: Live, with creator Dom Joly on 7 October.

Tickets to see Birmingham-based comedian Joe Lycett at The Glee Club on 6 October are already sold out, while demand has seen new dates added for black comedy horror play Inside Number 9 - Stage/Fright at The Alexandra.

Tickets for Birmingham's Joe Lycett have sold out

"Tasting Menu" shows at Cherry Reds on John Bright Street on 4 and 11 October promise spectators a rapid-fire hour of short sets from comedians who have full-length acts elsewhere in the programme.

There are also free half-day events from 13:00 BST at Cherry Reds and The Victoria, also on John Bright Street, on both 5 October and 12 October.

Dates have been added for Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's show, which brings BBC TV series Inside No. 9 to the stage

Five comics will be competing for the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award 2025, with the shortlist yet to be announced.

Organisers said about 12,000 attended each year, and described it as the the UK's second longest running comedy and arts festival.

The full line-up and ticket details can be found on the event website.