Tickets are now on sale for Rochdale Comedy Festival, staged for the first time from Friday, 26 September 2025 to Sunday, 5 October 2025 in venues across the borough.
This new festival will include established names from television and radio alongside rising stars.
Organised by Ace Lips Events, over 25 comedians will be appearing at 12 venues over the 10-day festival. The line-up includes Robin Ince at Rochdale Town Hall, co-host and creator of the Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage.
The comedy legend Mick Miller will be appearing at the festival.
Also appearing is comedy legend Mick Miller, supported by 2017 Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Jonny Awsum at Champness Hall.
‘Amazing’
Lou Conran, who’s a regular tour support for Sarah Millican and host of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s Comedy Club, will be at The Engine House in Middleton, supported by last year’s Britain’s Got Talent finalist Alex Mitchell. The comedian, writer and podcaster will be in town fresh from his run at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Tez Ilyas, as seen on Man Like Mobeen, BBC3 and The Tez o’Clock Show, Channel 4.
Tez Ilyas (Man Like Mobeen, BBC3 and The Tez O’Clock Show, Channel 4) headlines an evening at the Curtain Theatre in Rochdale with guests including Scottish observational comic Lubna Kerr, trailblazing Muslim comedian Bas Rahman and circuit favourite Don Biswas.
There will be improvised sketch madness on the opening night at The Flying Horse Hotel from the multi award winning duo Halls of Ridiculous. Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Monahan will be at Milnrow Cricket Club, supported by English comedian of the year winner and star of BBC1’s Live at the Apollo - Brennan Reece. Chortle Best Newcomer winner Daisy Earl brings her new show to Rochdale Football Club.
Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Moynahan will be at Milnrow Cricket Club.
English comedian of the year Rob Mullholland will also be at The Flying Horse Hotel and Arron Wood - named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the 12 rising comedy stars to see at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer will be at Vicolo del Vino with comedy musician Alex Camp. The festival’s opening night features internationally renowned improvisation duo ‘Halls of Ridiculous.’
Rochdale’s Masonic Ballroom on Richard Street hosts ‘Comedy at the Lodge’ with multi-award-winning Yorkshireman Pete Selwood, quick witted northerner Mandy McCarthy, one liner master, Stephen Cookson, Henry Michael and club favourite Jamie Sutherland.
There will be comedy courses for aspiring comedians hosted by Dave Williams from legendary comedy club The Frog and Bucket. Dave has been a professional comedian for over 25 years and is a regular MC and act at the venue as well as other top clubs across the UK.
Robin Ince, co-host and creator of the BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said:
“I’m thrilled to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture, showcasing some of our fantastic venues too for what I hope will become an annual event. We’ve made it as affordable as possible with many tickets available for under £15 and I’m really excited to welcome amazing comedians to the borough.”
Rochdale Comedy Festival, organised by Ace Lips Events and Rochdale Development Agency, is part of a spectacular line up of festivals, live performances, exhibitions and art during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26. The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority celebrates the town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene.
Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture is supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Arts Council England, Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency.
Rochdale Comedy Festival is supported by Your Trust and the Rochdale Business Improvement District (BID).
Tickets will be released soon.
Find out more about Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture
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