READING Indie Comedy Festival is back once again, bringing some of the brightest stars and undiscovered gems from the world of improv, stand-up, and roasts to venues across town–courtesy of Mates Rates.
Four days of events will see comedians from across the UK taking to stages in Reading, including stars of some of the country’s biggest comedy institutions as well as fostering emerging local talent.
Pentahotel also returns as the event’s sponsor and headline venue.
The festival schedule begins today (Thursday, May 14) with two evening performances: the Reading Comedy Showcase will showcase some of the area’s rising stars alongside headliner Matt Price and host Rhodri Buttrick.
That takes place from 8pm at Reading Biscuit Factory.
Later that evening, Jonathan Elston performs a headline show from 8.30pm at the Pentahotel Reading.
On Friday, May 15, the schedule includes a competition and two solo shows, kicking off with The Reading New Comedian of the Year Competition
From 7.30pm at the Reading Biscuit Factory, budding stand-ups will compete for the title of the New Comedian of the Year, with the winner awarded a cash prize and a paid spot at a Mates Rates Comedy Club show.
Elsewhere, David Anthony performs at 8pm followed by The Late Show: Abi Mohanty – Tough T*tties, from 10.30pm–both at the Pentahotel.
On Saturday, the festival kicks off in earnest, with a bumper schedule of eight separate shows.
The day opens with The Hat and The Tash Reloaded from noon at the Pentahotel Reading, where local favourites Nick Byard and Carl Richard will bring a two-hander full of charming crowd-work, observational comedy, and well-honed stand-up.
Rachel Fairburn takes the stage at 1.30pm at the Pentahotel Reading, followed by Harriet Kemsley at 3pm at The Outlook.
Harriet Dyer performs at 3.30pm at the Pentahotel Reading, while Robert Moriarty appears at 4.30pm at The Outlook.
Darius Davies presents his show at 6pm at the Pentahotel Reading, followed Special Saturday Show featuring Simon Brodkin (AKA Lee Nelson) and Jack Skipper at 8pm at the same venue.
The final event of the day is The Haters Ball, which brings relentless roasts and caustic, cutting comedy to the Pentahotel from 10.30pm.
The festival concludes on Sunday, May 17, with a selection of afternoon and evening performances.
The What’s The Game Improv Reading Comedy Festival Showcase begins at 12.30pm at the Pentahotel Reading.
Garrett Millerick follows at 2pm at the Pentahotel, and Lindsey Santoro performs at 3.30pm at Milk Bar Reading.
Esther Manito and Matt Richardson share a slot at 5pm at Milk Bar Reading, with Finlay Christie performing a headline show from 5.30pm at the Pentahotel.
The festival comes to a crescendo with the Comedy at the Taproom Sunday Showcase 2026 at 8pm at the Double-Barrelled Brewery, with Esther Manito and Adam Kay joining headliner Zoe Lyons.
Tickets to individual shows are available, as well as an all-in-one pass to the entire festival, via: thereadingcomedyfestival.co.uk
