Live Laugh Leeds: Comedy Roundup – October 2026

Your guide to the best comedy shows in Leeds in October 2026

The clocks go back. The nights close in. Someone in your office starts drinking hot chocolate at every break (think of the SUGAR, Brian!). The month when the entire country becomes furious at the arrival speed of Christmas, and talks to you endlessly about The Celebrity Traitors. Luckily, Leeds has a tremendous amount of comedy this month, really tremendous, some would say the most tremendous they’ve ever seen. Sorry, accidental Trump impression there. 

Here are our top comedy picks for the month.

City Varieties is the headline act. Stand-up royalty and room-reader extraordinaire Troy Hawke (2nd) kicks things off, followed by rapidly rising political firecracker Grace Campbell (5th). The amazing Kiell Smith-Bynoe returns with Kool Story Bro (6th) then it’s the endlessly quotable Catherine Bohart (7th). Completing October at City Varieties are Mike Wozniak (8th), Scott Bennett (16th), Simon Evans (20th), Michael Spicer (21st), Jack Carroll (23rd), Jon Richardson (24th) and the ever-lovely and ever-hilarious Josh Pugh has two shows (27th/28th).

The Wardrobe is equally stacked. Sandro Ford (7th) and the fantastic Harriet Kemsley (15th) are pretty much sold out. But you could still squeeze in for the likes of Ignacio Lopez (14th), Finlay Christie (18th), and Rachel Fairburn (29th).

The Leeds Playhouse has two big ones right at the start of the month. Jonathan Creek legend and QI regular Alan Davies (1st) is on his first stand-up tour in a decade, while the brilliantly righteous Nish Kumar (3rd) is already sold out.

Among their regular shows, The Glee Club has two standalone nights worthy of your attention. The Some Nerve: MS Society Comedy Fundraiser (11th) is a brilliant cause with a brilliant lineup: Ivo Graham, Joe Kent-Walters (aka Frankie Monroe), Hayley Ellis, Jack McLean and Hannah Margaret all on one bill. And there’s a visit from Canadian powerhouse Tom Stade (15th).

The O2 Academy has two comedy shows this month. TikTok sensation turned sell-out live act Serena Terry (7th) brings her debut tour to Leeds, and at the end of the month, more hilarity from the brilliantly provocative Fin Taylor (29th).

Hyde Park Book Club brings some of the most exciting voices on the circuit this month. Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Li Jin Hao (12th) is the one not to miss. While Filipino-Kiwi storyteller James Roque (7th), classical-pianist-turned-comedian Aidan Jones (4th) and Comedy Central’s Sam Serrano (5th) are also top tips. 

Absolutely heaving with quality. Go and see something before it gets dark at 4pm and you lose the will entirely. Happy Christmas! OH GOD SORRY.

And as ever, look out for regular comedy nights at Headrow House, The Original Oak, The Old Woollen, Sela Bar and the Parkside Tavern.