Hastings has always had a healthy taste for the wonderfully odd, the sharply observed and the slightly unhinged, which makes it a very good home for a comedy festival. This June, Hastings Comedy Festival 2026 returns with a packed programme of stand-up, character comedy, musical madness, cult favourites and rising acts, spreading the laughter across some of the town’s best-loved venues.
Rather than simply tell you who to see, we asked the people who know best: the comedians themselves. From rave-comedy chaos and ventriloquism to beautifully daft songs, dark confessions, political firepower and shows raising money for good causes, this year’s performers have tipped the acts they would happily buy a ticket for.
So, whether you are after a big name, a future star, a glorious wildcard or the sort of show you stumble into and talk about for weeks, consider this your inside track. Here are the Hastings Comedy Festival 2026 comedians’ picks.
Adam Flood is a really funny man and he’s quite cool, but now he’s mixing comedy with rave music which sounds like such a fun idea I’d definitely go and check him out he’s a good boy!
Sarah Roberts is one of best new acts I have worked with in recent years. She naturally funny and is so good at marshalling the audience and bringing them into her hilarious world.
I’d also give a third shout to the really brilliant Milo Edwards who’s evolving into a great comedian.
Joey Page is performing on Tuesday 2nd June at The Piper.
Spring Day is my favourite American comic she stitches me up as soon as I see her on stage. Currer Ball is quirky – my favourite Scottish comic, very inquisitive and takes you on a journey leading to the world of escapism. President Obonjo would also like to say, “as president, I don’t do recommendations, only endorsements to my future cabinet.”
Preseident Obonjo is performing on Saturday 6th June at the Jenny Lind Inn.
My favourite brand of comedy is slightly insane women telling you their darkest secrets so in that vain I’d recommend Maia Tassalini,Sarah Roberts and Erika Ehler. You’d also be a fool to miss Marty Gleeson and Eddy Hare!
Dom McGovern is performing on Saturday 6th June at Brewing Brother Source Park Courtyard Hastings.
Katie Pritchard is not only hilarious, she’s also a great musician. Which I am very jealous of. I have heard brilliant things about this show and I love the title – Katie Pritchard is Sir Elton Scone. It’s really silly. I assume the show is also really silly – and that’s right up my street.
Pat Cahill is a comedy genius. I love his shows and I love him. He is daft to the extreme. His stand-up is unique, he looks at the world like no other and has a real knack for a ditty and a great ear worm. Many of his songs are on constant rotation in my head. Coconuts, anyone?
Ali Brice is performing on Sunday 7th June at the Jenny Lind Inn.
The Hastings Comedy Festival really does offer up some of the best comedians, so always a pleasure to play it, and here’s a few out of the many I’d recommend.
Mark Thomas – someone almost impossible to follow (my show’s on after his down the road) – there’s few greats around and he’s one of them, someone whose total command of the room and passion for stand-up comedy inspired me when I first started out and still inspires me today. However I will say that his blurb jokingly promises nudity, whereas my show un-jokingly guarantees it. And if you’re reading this
Mark, Happy New Year!
Freya McGhee – I’ll look over the fact that she once called me ‘dad’ because I’m slightly older than her, Freya is very funny and very likeable and very interesting. And also she’s my daughter.
Ayo Adenekan – winner of the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Comedy Award for Best Newcomer last year, so that’s all the recommendation you need right? The look on his face when he won of happiness and shock will live with me for a while.
Nathan Cassidy is performing on Thursday 4th June at the Jenny Lind Inn.
Lachlan Werner Sleeper Hit and not just cos’ we once ended up running an abandoned Thai-themed sailor bar together. Mainly cos’ he’s very funny and very good and has puppets and does ventriloquism! What is not to love? And also one time we ended up manning an unattended cocktail bar after the bar manager disappeared.
Aisha Amanduri and Hasan Al-Habib 2 Muslim 2 Furious 3: Sharia? I Hardly Know Her! These two are a dream team. I love that they continue to come out with more iterations of their hit show 2 Muslim 2 Furious and I love that they raise money for Medical Aid Palestine doing it. And they’re both super hilarious so you’re in for a great time!
Kate Cheka is performing at on Sunday 7th June at Sugarpie Honeybuns.
I would like to recommend Lou Wall; Lou is an incredible performer and definitely an act that people should catch. I also highly recommend Joey Page, who is consistently brilliant and always worth seeing.
Barry Ferns closes the festival, performing on Sunday 7th June at Ritual Bar.
