Sir Lenny Henry leads a stellar cast of comedy royalty for Somerset’s beloved festival, now in its seventh year

The Rode Comedy Festival has revealed its full line-up for 2026. Spanning five nights of live comedy between 26th & 30th August, the festival brings together some of the biggest names in British stand-up — headlined by the incomparable Sir Lenny Henry, a true icon of British comedy, making Rode his only comedy festival appearance in 2026.

Joining Sir Lenny Henry in the headline slots are Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Tom Davis, Jen Brister and Iain Stirling – a line-up that punches well above the weight of a boutique Somerset festival and confirms Rode’s remarkable reputation for attracting world-class talent. Also performing across the week are Radio 4 favourites Zoë Lyons and Tom Wrigglesworth, Tom Rosenthal star of Friday Night Dinner and Plebs, Funny Women Award winner Laura Smyth, Comedian’s Comedian Rob Rouse, and fast-rising stars Micky Overman, Josh Jones and Kyra Gray. 

New for 2026, festival-goers can also enjoy an afternoon gameshow hosted by Jarred Christmas and Hobbit, featuring comedian Rhod Gilbert, and some very special surprise guests — in aid of local charities Dorothy House and We Hear You, a Frome-based cancer counselling charity.

Rode Comedy Festival was founded by comedian Jarred Christmas and arts marketer Amelia Christmas, after the pandemic brought live events to a grinding halt. Seven years on, Rode Comedy Festival has grown from an impromptu passion project into one of the most talked-about comedy events in the South-West. All shows will be hosted by the festival’s co-founder, multi-award-winning Kiwi comedian Jarred Christmas, accompanied by world-renowned beatboxer Hobbit.

For more information, check out their website Rodecomedyfestival.com