Cat Laughs Comedy Festival roars into Belfast & Derry next year

Following the success of this year’s events, The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, Ireland's longest-running and best-loved comedy event, is back in Belfast & Derry in September 2026 with over top 30 comedians performing.

Kilkenny's iconic festival, renowned for its format where headliner comedians perform on the same bill, has partnered with Shine & TSW Management, Northern Ireland’s largest concert and events promoter, to bring the inaugural edition of The Cat Laughs to these two vibrant cities.

Belfast’s reputation as a comedy city has exploded over the last decade, with a new wave of local comedians selling out huge venues, alongside a new and endless stream of international A-list comics visiting the city, and hundreds of thousands of fans attending shows across the city each year.

Notable past performers at the Cat Laughs include Michael McIntyre, Eddie Izzard, Jo Brand, Micky Flanagan, Al Murray, Kevin Bridges, Tommy Tiernan, Katherine Ryan, Romesh Ranganathan, Sarah Millican, Peter Kay, Ross Noble, Bill Bailey, Graham Norton, and Joe Lycett.

The festival has also welcomed international stars like Bill Murray, Zach Galifianakis, Laura Kightlinger, Bill Burr, George Wendt, Ross Noble, Tig Notaro, and Emo Philips.

The 2026 Cat Laughs Comedy Festival Line-Up

WATERFRONT HALL, BELFAST - FRIDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER

Colin Murphy, Paddy Raff, Paddy McDonnell, Diona Doherty, Dane Buckley, Ali Woods, Hal Cruttenden

WATERFRONT HALL, BELFAST - SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER

Colin Geddis, Paddy McDonnell. Chris Kent, Emer Maguire, Susie McCabe, Finlay Christie, Dan Tiernan, Hal Cruttenden

MILLENNIUM FORUM, DERRY - FRIDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER

Andrew Ryan, Colin Geddis, Chris Kent, Mike Rice, Emer Maguire, Susie McCabe, Finlay Christie, Dan Tiernan

MILLENNIUM FORUM, DERRY - SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER

Andrew Ryan, Mike Rice, Colin Murphy, Paddy Raff, Diona Doherty, Dane Buckley, Ali Woods

How to get tickets:

Tickets on sale Thursday at 10am from ticketmaster.ie, waterfront.co.uk and millenniumforum.co.uk

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