Swindon is preparing to host its first ever independently run comedy festival this summer, with venues across Old Town set to welcome some of the biggest names on the UK stand-up circuit.
The inaugural Swindon Old Town Comedy Festival will feature more than 20 acts performing across a week of events, marking the first time a comedy festival of its kind has been staged across multiple venues in the town.
The festival has been organised by Swindon comedian Sam Michael, whose Swindon Old Town Comedy Club enjoyed a breakthrough year after winning the 2026 Chortle Award for Best Pro Comedy Night in the West of England and Wales.
Organisers say the new festival aims to build on the town’s growing comedy reputation while bringing nationally recognised acts into the heart of Old Town.
Among the headline performers announced are Sara Pascoe, Ivo Graham, Harriet Kemsley, Fiona Allen and Stuart Goldsmith, alongside rising acts and local performers appearing throughout the week.
The festival opens on 31 May with a launch party headlined by Sara Pascoe before events continue across Old Town from 8 to 14 June.
Shows will take place at a range of venues including The Hop Inn, The Victoria, Mam’s Gallery, Christ Church Community Centre, The Pulpit and the Old Town Gardens Bowl.
Festival organiser Sam Michael said the event had been years in the making.
“This festival is something I’ve wanted to bring to Swindon for a long time,” he said.
“The comedy scene here has grown massively over the past few years and winning the Chortle Award showed that people are really paying attention to what’s happening in the town.
“To now launch Swindon’s first ever independently run comedy festival — and to do it across multiple venues with such huge acts involved — feels incredibly exciting.”
Tickets have now gone on sale, with organisers warning that demand for some performances is expected to be high.
Additional tickets for sold out shows may also be released closer to the event dates.
