GLASGOW International Comedy Festival (GICF) has unveiled the first acts for its 2026 run.
Scottish comedy giants featured on the bill include Daniel Sloss, Connor Burns, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and Susie McCabe.
Comics from across the UK are also set to join the lineup, including Sue Perkins, Harry Enfield and Bridget Christie.
Festival director Krista MacDonald said: “After another record-breaking year in 2025 for Glasgow International Comedy Festival, 2026 is showing no signs of slowing down.
“We’re welcoming some well-kent names in comedy to the festival, from Daniel Sloss and Sue Perkins to Harry Enfield and Susie McCabe, for an absolutely jam-packed spring. As always, we’re shining a light on the Scottish scene – with homegrown talent like Christopher MacArthur-Boyd and Marc Jennings both set to play some of their biggest ever shows in their hometown.
“With registrations now open for acts and venues, we can’t wait to see the next generation of talent rise up through the ranks – if you’ve been thinking about performing in stand-up, whether it’s improv, musical comedy or kids shows, for a while, then now’s your chance. Take the leap and apply now to join us next year.”
The 2025 festival drew in around 61,000 comedy fans across over 600 shows. Next year’s GICF will run between March 11-29, hosting acts from around the world for a variety of performances.
McCabe, who previously won the Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award and received critical acclaim for her Edinburgh Fringe set earlier this year, will perform three shows at the King’s Theatre.
“It’s an absolute joy to be back at The King’s for GICF, it’s been some year since my last show; personally, professionally and of course politically, and as usual I have plenty to say while we can all share some laughs at the absurdity of life,” she said.
Sloss (above) will take a new special, Bitter, to the SEC Armadillo, whilst Perkins is set to perform her first live show in over a decade at the Kings.
She said: “Stand-ups often say that Glasgow audiences are the best in the world. Followed quickly by 'and the toughest'. So, I'm simultaneously thrilled and scared sh*tless to be bringing my new show ‘The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins’ to GICF in March 2026.”
GICF is supported by charity Glasgow Life, with the current chair Bailie Annette Christie praising the opportunity the festival brings for venues across the city.
“The festival continues to go from strength to strength. Glasgow is proud to host Scotland’s largest dedicated comedy festival, long-established as a key date in the cultural calendar and celebrated for bringing together the very best in comedy”, she added.
“The initial acts announced for 2026 are a brilliant start, and the festival is already shaping up to be something special. We can’t wait to welcome audiences from near and far, who enjoy all kinds of comedy, to venues right across the city.”
Registration is open now for those wishing to participate in next year’s festival and can be done so here.
