The first Live Comedy Day is being launched to help celebrate the UK’s live comedy sector and those working within it. The day, produced by Live Comedy Association in partnership with BBC Radio 4, will take place on Wednesday 1st April 2026 and will feature all registered live comedy events taking place on that day. Further information, and details of how to sign up, are available by visiting www.livecomedyday.co.uk
It is estimated that there are almost 700 regular comedy clubs operating across the UK and according to the UK Live Comedy Sector Survey Report (2024), 64% of these have been operating for more than 10 years and, on average, each comedy venue has up to 10 people working each night. The entire live comedy sector contributes over £1bn to the UK economy.
One of the venues that will benefit from the Live Comedy Day initiative is much-loved, independent venue Komedia in Brighton, who celebrated their 30th birthday last year and are winners of a record-breaking 18 Chortle awards for Best Comedy Venue in the South.
From humble beginnings at a small venue on Manchester Street in Kemptown in 1994, to their home for the last 26 years on Gardner Street in the North Laine, Komedia has certainly been through its ups and downs but has managed to weather the storm, in an ever-changing landscape, where multiple independent venues are lost each year.
Of Live Comedy Day Jamie Patterson, GM at Komedia said:
“Live comedy is such a valuable thing to society, as well as a boon for the local economy wherever it takes place. It’s one of the things we have in this country that we can really be proud of, so we’re happy to be a part of this big inaugural celebration which we’ll hope to build on year-on-year, giving people a chance to voice their support for live comedy wherever they are in the country. We, as the foremost live comedy venue in the South East, and a venue that’s been a big part of life in central Brighton for over 30 years, think it’s about time live comedy was taken more seriously by government and in any conversations about culture, and we’re keen to shout about it. Stay tuned for the release of our incredible Live Comedy Day line-up at an event raising funds for, and awareness of, the brilliant work the LCA do.”
Live Comedy Day is the latest project produced by the Live Comedy Association, which remains the only membership organisation representing those that work in live comedy sector. The association recently launched the Stand Up And Give Fund which aims to encourage donations from people who want to support the sector, especially the grassroots community of clubs, comedians, festivals and promoters.
BBC Radio 4 will support Live Comedy Day with a series of stand-up specials recorded in comedy clubs across the UK, Live From the UK, culminating in a special extended episode at 9pm on 1st April, with additional programming to be announced.
Jessica Toomey, Director of Live Comedy Association, said “We are delighted to be launching Live Comedy Day and look forward to working with venues, clubs, agents, theatres, festivals and comedians to use the opportunity to shine a light on the incredible contribution we make to the UK. There are “national days” for many things – including Yorkshire Pudding Day, Football Shirt Day, Hummus Day, National Receptionist Day and perhaps more seriously, National Album Day and Record Store Day. We felt there was a great opportunity to work together and have one day to celebrate UK live comedy.”
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.”
Live Comedy Day will focus on a centralised website with listings of all events taking place on the day. Promoters and comedians are encouraged to put on “special” events on 1st April 2026, in addition to regular club nights which might normally be promoted. There will be a dedicated PR campaign that will help draw national attention to Live Comedy Day, benefitting all registered events.
The LCA is a Community Interest Company, set up during the pandemic to support people working in live comedy. In February 2023 the CIC adopted 2 new Directors who took on the organisation. Since that time the Directors have also appointed an Advisory Panel, with 20 members working within the sector.
