Actually Rather Good Comedy Festival
is back, better than ever

We'll be cramming our attentively curated programme of over sixty comedians — from big name
TV favourites to up-and-coming newcomers — into the labyrinthine settings of Shoreditch Town Hall.

Forty-eight fantastic shows

Over the weekend, we’ll host 48 full previews of the most exciting shows heading up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe or off on tour. See them here first!

Twelve comperes hosting
across three intimate stages

Shows are performed across three intimate stages, introduced by twelve of the greatest hosts.

Day or Weekend tickets

Each day the festival runs from midday until around 10pm, with audience members free to see whichever acts they like — just like a music festival.

The Friday Night Show

Following sell-out shows in 2022 and 2023, The Friday Night Show returns with another spectacular, star-studded showcase of comedians at the top of their game!

Our blockbuster bill is hosted by Ania Magliano and features Suzi Ruffell, Jamali Maddix, Sara Pascoe, Larry Dean and Sikisa — with even more to be announced!

Plus weekend ticket holders get tickets for just £12!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I leave and come back?

    Absolutely — you can come and go whenever you like. It's quite common for people to leave for fresh air or to get dinner, although it's equally common for hardcore comedy fans to stay from start to finish.

    If you’re leaving or entering during a show, please be as quiet as possible to avoid disruption though.

  • What are the different ticket types?

    We sell Weekend tickets, granting entry to the full weekend festival, and Day tickets, for entry to either Saturday or Sunday.

    Audience members are free to see whichever acts they like across the three venues — just like a music festival!

    The Friday Night Show in the Assembly Hall is ticketed separately, but if you’re a Weekend ticket holder you get discounted tickets.

  • How accessible is the festival?

    ARG is committed to making live comedy more accessible for audiences, artists and staff. Every stage and bar across the festival has step-free access available for audience members. The Friday Night Show will be live captioned and there will be other captioned performances throughout the weekend. For more information, head over to our Access page.

  • Do you allow stag/hen parties?

    No. We have a very similar policy on stag/hen groups as The Stand Comedy Club. To quote their policy: “it's a bit daft to bring a group of friends who want to chat, catch-up and get hammered to a place where they are expected to sit quietly and watch a show”. We do reserve the right to refuse entry — so if you're unsure whether to book, please contact us beforehand on the email address listed below.

  • Is there a minimum age?

    Yes, ARGComFest is only suitable for people over 16 years old.

  • Can I perform at ARGComFest?

    There isn’t really an application process for the festival, but feel free to get in touch. The festival is curated by a very small team and this year’s programme is almost full. You can contact us at [email protected].

  • Who runs ARGComFest?

    The founder / Festival Director is Pax Lowey.

    Pax works alongside a small team to programme, produce and deliver the festival. Some are listed on the Press page and full credits are in the printed programme on the weekend.

  • Do you need staff or volunteers?

    While we do have a wonderful team, we do occasionally need additional help. If you’re interested, send us an email about your background, experience and why you’d like to be involved!

  • Who took the photos used on this website?

    The fantastic and utterly peerless Edward Moore: website / Facebook / Instagram.

  • I have another question…

    Feel free to email us at [email protected].

    If you're looking for press info, we have a press page.

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