Sun 5th October, 2025
Matinee and Evening Shows
Chris McCausland - Yonks
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £30 +BF
Age: 16+ PG
Matinee Show
Door: 2:00pm
Show: 3:00pm
Evening Show
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Chris McCausland - Yonks
You might have seen him on Strictly Come Dancing, Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, The Royal Variety, QI, Blankety Blank, The Last Leg, and tons more as well.
He’s been called an “overnight success” – Even though he’s been doing this for bloody yonks!
Chris McCausland is hitting the road again with another masterclass in stand-up comedy that has literally been yonks in the making –
The last tour was a sell-out, so get your tickets now!
Recommended age: 16+
Wed 8th October, 2025
JIMEOIN – Pandemonium!
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £19.50 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 14+ PG
LIVE NATION and MZA in association with AND YOUR DOG present:
JIMEOIN – Pandemonium!
Join us for a not-to-be-missed, hilarious evening with one of live comedy’s universally acclaimed true masters and festival favourite Jimeoin who returns with his brand-new show.
Jimeoin’s cheeky no-gimmicks sense of humour, superb material and broad appeal keeps audiences in stitches across the globe. He has an incredible ability to create belly laughs out of microscopically observed human behaviour.
You might be one of the hundreds of millions of fans who have viewed his online comedy clips, or perhaps you’ve seen his appearances on ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘The Royal Variety Performance’ or ‘Conan O’Brien’… but NOTHING beats seeing this Irish observational joke-master where he is most at home – live-on-stage!
‘Don’t miss it! If laughter is the best medicine, Jimeoin is a course of steroids’ Edinburgh Evening News
Thu 9th October, 2025
Ardal O'Hanlon - Not Himself
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £26 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 16+ PG
Ardal O'Hanlon - Not Himself
After an alarming experience at the supermarket, Ardal reflects on who he is as a man and a comedian. He examines his own ethnic and religious background. And thinks twice about the very core of his identity as a voice of reason. Is everything a big lie?
With no major trauma of his own to draw on for material, apart from the drag of getting older, he also turns his gaze outwards at the joys and follies of contemporary life.
Towel Animals? A.I.? Chair Yoga? Cauliflower as a main course? Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes.
No current idiocy is left un-examined. With a highly developed sense of the ridiculous, and proper comedy bones, NOT HIMSELF, is a testament to the healing power of humour. And the joy of jokes.
Recommended age: 16+
Sat 11th October, 2025
Mark Steel - The Leopard In My House
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £18 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 14+ PG
Mark Steel - The Leopard In My House
Join multi award-winning, BAFTA-nominated writer and comedian Mark Steel for his new tour ‘The Leopard In My House’.
The topic? His battle with throat cancer. A battle he is winning (thankfully) and which only his rapier wit could fashion a comedy tour show out of.
Cancer has done nothing to dull Mark’s acute political observations or quash his “frankly bonkers” energy: you will laugh, you will cry, but you’ll laugh again, and again, and again.
The Leopard in My House is proof that this leftie, working-class, Radio 4 favourite truly deserves his place in the UK comedy pantheon.
Sun 12th October, 2025
Omid Djalili - Namaste
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £30 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 16+ PG
Omid Djalili - Namaste
Omid Djalili: Namaste
The Persian Comedy Powerhouse performs his critically acclaimed new show NAMASTE where Omid peacefully bows to his inner anger and unleashes a torrent of comedic vitriol upon the current state of this dangerously messed up planet.
No government gets a green card. No tyrant avoids a take down. No audience member leaves the theatre with an ounce of laughter left in them.
You have been warned.
“So hysterically funny and at the same time so poignant and powerful that calling it stand-up barely does it justice.” Michael Levin, Huffington Post.
Wed 15th October, 2025
Dr John Cooper Clarke
With Special Guest Mike Gary
On Sale 10am Friday 11th April
On Sale 10am Friday 11th April
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £29.50 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 14+ PG
Dr John Cooper Clarke
With Special Guest Mike Gary
The Godfather of Punk Poetry. A cult icon. A lyrical genius. A razor-sharp wit.
Dr John Cooper Clarke—Salford’s original punk poet performs at this year’s Southport Comedy Festival with a brand new live show packed with classic verse, new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat and the unmistakable swagger that’s made him a legend.
From the stages of the ’70s punk scene—sharing bills with Joy Division, The Sex Pistols, and The Clash—to the pages of the UK school curriculum, Clarke’s influence is undeniable. His iconic I Wanna Be Yours, famously reimagined by Arctic Monkeys, has racked up over a billion streams, while Evidently Chickentown made its mark on The Sopranos.
This is a rare chance to see one of the world’s most important and entertaining spoken word artists at his bold and brilliant best.
“One of Britain’s outstanding poets” Sir Paul McCartney
“Fantastically entertaining” The Times
“Riveting” The Observer
Fri 17th October, 2025
Rich Hall - Chin Music
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £18 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 14+ PG
Rich Hall - Chin Music
“Chin Music” has two meanings. One is idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in baseball or cricket to intimidate the batter.
Both describe Rich Hall’s comedy. Idle but intimidating. Sharp, quick, splenetic, and sublimely improvisational.
If you’ve never seen him, you need to hustle down to this year’s Southport Comedy Festival and grab a seat because he never disappoints. Ever.
As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC2) Have I Got News For You (BBC1) and QI (BBC2)
“As close as it gets to a guaranteed good show” Scotland on Sunday
Sat 18th October
Jason Byrne: Head In The Clouds
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £28.50 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 14+ PG
Phil McIntyre Live Ltd by arrangement of Lisa Thomas Management Proudly Presents:
Jason Byrne: Head In The Clouds
Where does he get it all from? A common phrase heard outside Jason Byrne’s show as the crowd leave with utter joy in their hearts. Jason literally has his Head In the Clouds most of the time, but thankfully, mainly when he’s on stage!
It’s laughter at its highest, as we watch Jason pull magic from his cloudy head down onto the stage. Be it, stormy stand up, calm fun or audience members with clouds literally on their heads. Come join Jason in the clouds, for a night of beautiful unpredictable, fluffy, mayhem.
‘Outright King of Live Comedy’ The Times
‘Full on, double-up, gasping-for-oxygen hilarious’ Chortle
Sun 19th October
Deirdre O’Kane: O’Kaning It
On Sale Friday 4th April, 10am
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £19.50 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 14+ PG
Deirdre O’Kane: O’Kaning It
Comedic fireball Deirdre O’Kane is mad for road, mercilessly mining hilarity from the human condition. Will she conquer the chaos or revel in it?
Tame the mayhem or “O’Kane it”? Either way you’re in for a night of relentless laughs fuelled by warped personal insight.
Unique star quality.” – The Guardian
“when she exits, applause follows her all the way down the street.” – The Scotsman
“She won the audience over from the moment she opened her mouth.” – Metro
Sun 6th October
Southport New Comedian of the Year 2024
Grand Final
Sponsored by:
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £5 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 18+
Note to prospective entrants:
Applications will open 10am Monday 2nd September
New Comedian of the Year 2024 Grand Final
The competition, now in its 13th Year, will again search the nation for 8 aspiring comedians to compete to become the next Southport New Comedian of the Year.
Dragon Soop and The Southport Comedy Festival are proud to encourage new talent and help them become the stars of tomorrow. Choosing just one winner from an array of comedy talent won’t be easy.
Hosted by Brendan Riley “A born compere” The Guardian
Dragon Soop should only be consumed by adults aged 18+. Please enjoy responsibly
Sun 13th October
Big Comedy UK Presents: Best of the Fest
Featuring : Paul Sinha & Ria Lina
Venue: Festival Marquee, Victoria Park
Ticket Price: £17 +BF
Door: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Age: 18+
Best of the Fest
Join two of the comedy industry’s most celebrated comedians as they come together for one fantastic night of comedy as part of this year’s Southport Comedy Festival.
Paul Sinha
Best known as The Sinnerman on ITV’s The Chase. Paul is a Rose d’Or Award winner for radio comedy, and Chortle Award winner and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee for his stand-up. Paul is a familiar voice on radio appearing on Just a Minute, The News Quiz and Fighting Talk. On television, Paul has appeared on QI, Would I Lie to You? Taskmaster and Celebrity Googlebox.
“One of our most thoughtful and enjoyable comedians”, The Times
Ria Lina
Ria Lina is a touring Filipina comedian, actress and writer known for her appearances on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, The Now Show and Mock The Week.
She has recently been named as one of The Evening Standard’s ‘Hottest Comedians You Should Be Watching Now’.
Throughout her stand-up career Ria has taken five shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her career stretches from stage and screen, to radio and the occasional ukulele.
“Fearless, provocative and very funny” The Scotsman