Exeter is turning the whole city into a comedy venue this June

Exeter is preparing for a four-day festival of live performance as the Exeter Comedy Festival returns to the city this June.

The event, which runs from 3 to 7 June, will host dozens of performances across the city centre, ranging from established stand-up acts to musical comedy and family-friendly shows.

Now in its third year, organisers say the festival has grown from a "small-scale event" in 2024 into a major fixture of the local cultural calendar.

The Exeter Corn Exchange will serve as a primary hub, but the festival is designed to be a "walkable" experience. Shows are scheduled in a variety of locations, including:

• Traditional theatres and arts venues.

• Local pubs and community hubs.

• "Unexpected spaces" throughout the city centre.

A spokesperson for the event said the aim was to create an "immersive experience" that brings live entertainment directly into the heart of the city.

Since its debut two years ago, the festival has expanded its reach, moving beyond a single-venue format to a multi-space operation.

The 2026 programme aims to balance national "rising stars" with local West Country talent, maintaining the festival's reputation for supporting the regional comedy circuit.

Tickets are now on sale through the festival’s official website and the Exeter Corn Exchange box office.