Manchester’s newest comedy festival is making a return to the city later this year, and there’s some massive names on the lineup set to bring the laughs.
After what was a smash-hit success in its inaugural year back in 2022, with 10,000 comedy-lovers enjoying countless sell-out stand-up sets, Laughterama is back in Manchester for more in a couple of months time, and will once again be taking over the iconic Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city centre.
Just like last year, festivalgoers are in for an “explosive series of shows” from some of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Multi award-winning comedians Adam Buxton, Ed Gamble, Sara Pascoe, and Alan Davies are just some of the famous names on this year’s jam-paced lineup.
They’ll be joined by the phrenetic Russell Kane, the legendary Dylan Moran, and Taskmaster stars Phil Wang and Fern Brady when they all take to the Castlefield Bowl stage over the five-day festival from Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 September.
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That’s not all either, as this year’s lineup is also stacked with flawless entertainers like cult comic/poet Tim Key, viral sensation Troy Hawke, ventriloquism queen Nina Conti, Father Ted hero Adrial O’Hanlon, and Mash Report host Rachel Parris, as well as a bunch of fast-rising breakthrough upcoming comedy names and homegrown talents.
Josh Jones, Dan Tiernan, Sharon Wanjohi, Ania Magliano, Celya Ab are just some of the newcomers you can catch over the five days.
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And aside from the comedy, just like last year, the very-best eats from Manchester’s street food scene will also be on site to tuck into, as well as an exciting selection of bars serving signature beers, cocktails, and more.
Festival organisers are promising an “outrageously good time” for anyone heading down this year.
Laughterama is the latest venture by sibling duo Will Briggs and Cass Randolph of 57 Festivals, who have been bringing their unique blend of comedy programming in boutique-festival settings to sell-out crowds across the UK for the past 15 years.
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And after their hugely-successful first year in Manchester, the pair are looking forward to returning later this year.
“Last year’s festival was epic,” Will and Cass admitted.
James Acaster performing at the inaugural Laughterama back in 2022 / Credit: Supplied
“The shows and crowds were electric, and we couldn’t have asked for a stronger first year, [so] for this year’s return, we’ve been focused on making sure we maintain that feeling by presenting lineups that will amaze and delight.
“We’ve added more even shows and are looking forward to welcoming back everyone that came last year, plus their friends and families too.”
Laughterama 2023 is landing at Castlefield Bowl from Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 September, with tickets now on sale at £25 per person and already selling fast.
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You can grab yours on the Laughterama website before they sell out here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
In photos – the Manchester Christmas Markets open for 2024
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Christmas Markets have sprung open for another year, and I know what you’re thinking – it’s only November!
But it’s never too early to cram in among the wooden huts and sip on a mulled wine, in our opinion, so we’ve been out in the thick of it all day today.
The huge festive celebration runs from 8 November until Sunday 22 December, which means a whole weekend of markets than we normally have.
For another year, Albert Square is sadly out of action, but the main hub of the Manchester Christmas Markets has shifted across to Piccadilly Gardens again, transforming them into the Winter Gardens.
Dotted all around the city you’ll find food, booze, music, gifts, and all sorts of other delightfully fun festive things to sink your teeth into.
Click or swipe through the gallery below to see more photos from the first day of the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 prices – how much is food and drink this year?
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Christmas Markets are back for 2024 and I know the question on all your lips is about prices – ‘how much is this all going to cost me’?
The huge festive celebration is one of the city’s biggest visitor attractions, luring in around nine million visitors each year.
Manchester city centre is filled to bursting with pretty wooden huts, twinkling lights, and cosy bars, serving and selling gifts, bratwurst, mulled wine and loads more.
There are plenty of familiar independent traders from around town joining in with the event, including Flat Baker, Oi Dumplings, and The Hip Hop Chip Shop, as well as more traditional European stalls.
With 240 stalls to explore across nine different locations, it’s a huge endeavour to get round it all.
But – as with everything these days – prices at the Manchester Christmas Markets have steadily crept up in recent years, so what is everything going to cost you in 2024?
We have the answers.
Average food and drink prices at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024
Mulled wine – £5.50 (plus £3 for a shot of spirits)
Lager – £6
Prosecco – £6.50
Bratwurst – £8
Yorkshire pudding wrap – £10
Hot chocolate – £3.50
How much is a mug deposit at the Manchester Christmas Markets this year?
To have a drink at the Manchester Christmas Markets you first need to purchase a special mug.
Every year the council releases a special design for your markets bevvies – this year’s features festive cartoon characters.
These cost £3.50, which you can have refunded when you take them back to a bar – or you can keep it as a souvenir.
That means that when you get a mulled wine (£5.50) with a shot of rum or brandy (£3), plus the mug itself (£3.50), you’ll be dropping £12 on the spot. But you can get a bit of that back later.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 prices by area
The Winter Gardens at Piccadilly Gardens
Manchester Christmas Markers 2024 – Winter Gardens at Piccadilly Gardens