UK Improv Festivals 2026

It’s shaping up to be a great year for improv in the UK, with a record number of festivals taking place in 2026! It’s so exciting to see how the scene is growing year on year. We've had a look through and picked out some highlights for the calendar. 

If you have any recommendations, please let us know so we can add to this article.

Oxford Improv Festival (29 Jan - 1 Feb): The season kicks off in the beautiful historic city of Oxford. Now in its second year, the Oxford Improv Festival is hosting four days of improv shows and workshops, all hosted at the Old Fire Station. The programme is packed with a wonderful range of events, including an Intro to Musical Improv workshop and The Big Friendly Improv Jam.

https://oxfordimprovfest.com/ | @OxfordImprovFest

Edinburgh International Improv Festival (5 - 8 Mar): Spring starts with the brilliant Edinburgh International Improv Festival. Ed Improv Fest has an outstanding reputation for bringing top international improvisers to Scotland’s capital. This year has some standout shows, including Tongue & Groove (Improvisers from Dropout TV and at UCB LA), What The Hell? and Chris Gethard & Trumane Alston. Some shows have already sold out - book fast!

https://www.edimprovfest.com/ | @edimprovfest

Liverpool Improvisation Festival (7 - 10 May): Heading into its fourth year, Liverpool Improvisation Festival (LiF) is all about innovation and risk-taking. Co-directed by Jen Hardy and Mark Smith, LiF has premiered 16 pieces of brand new improvised work since its inception and has already announced an exciting new ensemble show for 2026 called Ancestors. LiF is supported by Unity Theatre and Liverpool John Moores University.

https://www.liverpoolimprovfestival.com | @liverpool_improv_festival

Big Scene Improv Festival (13 - 17 May): Making a big splash in London this year is Big Scene Improv Festival, created by The Free Association. Promising over 25 shows across five days, Big Scene aims to showcase the best of UK talent with headline international guests. Previous FA festivals have featured acts such as This Doesn’t Leave The Room, Fabled and Kiel Smith Bynoe & Jim Woods. It’s a "go big or go home" addition to this year's improv calendar. Read more about Big Scene in our news article.

https://www.bigscene.co.uk/ | @bigscenefest

The London Improv Festival (22 - 24 May): Rounding off May’s jam-packed month of improv is The London Improv Festival, hosted by Blanche Improv. The festival promises to be a ‘celebration of artistry, community and joy’, with preparations well underway for a spring weekend of workshops and shows. Top New York based improviser Sebastian Conelli has already been announced as a headline performer at the festival with more acts to be announced soon. Read more about The London Improv Festival in our news article.

https://www.thelondonimprovfestival.com/ | @thelondonimprovfestival

Robin Hood International Improv Festival (2 - 6 Sept): Nottingham’s Robin Hood International Improv Festival (RHIIF) has quickly become a favourite for improvisers world-over. Festival directors Lloydie James Lloyd & Liam Webber, work alongside a guest curator and team of assistant producers to create a accessible programme of phenomenal talent. Expect improv jams, varied workshops, top shows and post show socials. 

https://www.robinhoodimprov.co.uk/ | @robinhoodimprov

Belfast Improv Festival (25 - 28 Sept): Celebrating its fifth year, the Belfast Improv Festival offers an incredible roster of international guest teachers and fun shows, and will be immediately followed by a partner leg in Dublin (30 Sept - 3 Oct). The festival was founded in 2018 by Belfast Improv director Paul Mone and has featured teams from the UK, Ireland, Europe, US and China. Teaching at this years festival will be Diana Brown, Bill Cernasky, Navaris Darson, Betse Green, Maro Lesioti, Alan Pakosz, Courtney Pong. Shows will be announced in the summer.

https://belfastimprovfestival.co.uk/ | @belfast_improvfestival

Birmingham Improv Festival (4 - 8 Nov): Birmingham Improv Festival is gearing up for it’s 7th year this winter. BIF has a great reputation for programming a brilliant variety of shows. Previous festival acts have included improv heavyweights Showstopper: The Imrovised Musical, Baby Wants Candy, Do the Right Scene and Austentatious. This years acts are to be announced, but safe to say the 2026 improv festival season will be going out with a bang!

https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/ | @birminghamimprovfestival

With so many brilliant festivals scheduled this year, the only real challenge is deciding which ones to fit into your calendar! Whether you’re an experienced improviser, newcomer or improv aficionado, there's fun to be had at an improv festival near you in 2026.

We can't wait!