The 2025 edition of Birmingham Comedy Festival kicks off later this week, with more than 90 performances promising to entertain audiences at venues across the city.

The Alexandra theatre will stage Aunty Donna from Thursday 2 to Friday 3 October; Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright from Tueday 7 to Sat 11 October, and Babatunde Aléshé: High Expectations tour on Saturday 4 October. Read our interview with Babatunde here.

Over at Birmingham Town Hall, Kane Brown performs his Don't Listen To Me tour on Sunday 5 October; Dom Joly will celebrate 25 years of Trigger Happy TV on Tuesday 7 October, and award-winning comedian, Henning Wehn, performs Acid Wehn on Saturday 11 October

There's also dozens of free entry / pay-what-you-want shows too, including appearances from Jaz Mattu, Emma Davies, Nate Kinch and Sean Morley, as well as the return of the always popular Birmingham Comedy Festival FREE Half-Dayers (Sun 5 & Sun 12 Oct, Cherry Reds & The Victoria). Audiences will be able to enjoy 8 x one hour shows at two venues from 1pm. Taking place in nearly-neighbouring city centre venues in John Bright Street FREE Half-Dayer guests include Eric Rushton, Jamie D'Souza and Finlay Christie, Tal Davies, Tom Little, Hasan Al-Habib, 2Muslim 2Furious, The Glitter Sisters, Andy Robinson and James Cook.

Also on the festival bill elsewhere are Laurel & Hardy films at West Midlands Police Museum on Thursday 9 October, and family shows at The Glee Club. The latter includes Jonny Awsum on Sunday 5 October and Marcel Lucont on Saturday 11 October. Podcasts, improv shows, stage productions, and sketch shows and more... also feature.

The festival officially kicks off with the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award at The Glee Club on Friday 3 Oct. This event brings together five of the very best emerging comedy acts from the region including BAB, Abbie Edwards, Abbie Hale, Harry Jenkins and Ryan S Lewis. Audiences can also expect a special set from Josh Pugh (who won the award in 2015 and is currently working on his first sitcom, for Channel 4).

For full Birmingham Comedy Festival listings and to purchase tickets, visit : bhamcomfest.co.uk