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Machynlleth Comedy Festival

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

— days to go

The Machynlleth Comedy Festival is an annual comedy event held in the historic market town of Machynlleth, Powys, Wales. Founded in 2010 by comedian Henry Lewis and producer Emma Brice, the festival has grown into one of the UK's most distinctive comedy gatherings, known for its intimate atmosphere and eclectic programming. The festival takes place over a weekend in late April or early May, utilizing multiple venues across the town including theaters, pubs, community halls, and even a converted chapel. It features a diverse lineup of stand-up comedians, sketch groups, musical comedy acts, improvisation troupes, and panel shows, often showcasing both established headliners and emerging talent. The festival is particularly noted for its family-friendly daytime programming and its commitment to making quality live comedy accessible in a rural setting far from major urban comedy circuits.

History

The Machynlleth Comedy Festival was founded in 2010 by comedian Henry Lewis, best known as a member of the comedy group The Beta Males, alongside local producer Emma Brice. The inaugural festival was conceived as a way to bring high-quality live comedy to mid-Wales, an area that had limited access to the thriving comedy scenes of cities like Cardiff, Manchester, and London. The festival quickly established itself as a highlight of the Welsh cultural calendar, attracting major names from the UK comedy circuit including Stewart Lee, Josie Long, John Bishop, and Greg Davies. The festival's growth coincided with a cultural renaissance in Machynlleth, a town with deep historical significance as the site of Owain Glyndwr's Welsh Parliament in 1404. By the mid-2010s, the festival was regularly selling out its weekend passes and had expanded to include workshops, talks, and community engagement programs.

How It's Celebrated

The festival fills multiple venues across Machynlleth with non-stop comedy performances from Friday evening through Sunday. Audiences move between shows at venues like The Assembly Rooms, Y Plasty, and the Machynlleth Town Hall, experiencing different comedic styles from observational stand-up to absurdist sketches and musical parody. Daytime programming includes family-friendly shows, comedy workshops for aspiring performers, and free street theatre performances in the town square. Evening headliners draw the largest crowds, with past performers including some of the biggest names in British comedy. Local pubs and restaurants offer festival-special menus, and the town's warm hospitality creates a unique atmosphere where audiences and performers mingle freely throughout the weekend, fostering a community spirit that distinguishes it from larger, more commercial festivals.

Other Years

2021 Thu
29 Apr
2022 Fri
29 Apr
2023 Sat
29 Apr
2024 Mon
4/29
2025 Tue
4/29
2027 Thu
4/29
2028 Sat
4/29
2029 Sun
29 Apr

Countries

🇬🇧 GB

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