The most popular comedy shows in London

This magic extravaganza is inspired by the improbably successful ‘white collar crime fighting magicians’ Now You See Me series of films, although rather than a play or musical it’s very much ‘some guys doing spectacular magic tricks in the loose guise of the films’ Four Horsemen’. It’s a big glitzy spectacle that’s wowed audiences in Sydney (where it originates) and Singapore and now it’s headed our way for a summer 2026 stint. ‘Our’ Horsemen will be illusionist Enzo Weyne, escapologist Andrew Basso, ‘dynamic rising star of modern magic’ Gabriella Lester and ‘award-winning British magician and master storyteller’ Matthew Pomeroy.

Somerset House has hosted fashion shows, ice rinks, open-air gigs and cinema in its Fountain Court, but never stand-up comedy, until now. This July, the courtyard plays host to five days of non-stop punchlines as Laughterama touches down for the first time, bringing seven shows and a stacked line-up of British comedy talents you’ll recognise from the telly. Wednesday's opener sees Taskmaster champion Sam Campbell and chaos merchant Ross Noble share a bill with the BAFTA-nominated Bridget Christie. Meanwhile, Thursday belongs to Josh Widdicombe, fresh off dissecting other people's parenting on his podcast, alongside the brilliantly deadpan Rosie Jones. Dara Ó Briain and ventriloquist Nina Conti headline Friday, before a weekend of double-show days featuring basically everyone you’ve ever seen on a panel show in the last five years, including  Sara Pascoe, Phil Wang, Fern Brady, Ania Magliano, Catherine Bohart, Tom Allen, Nick Mohammed, Ed Gamble and Tim Key. Factor in a stop at the food and drink stalls dotted around the courtyard, because nothing pairs better with chuckles in the sunshine than an overpriced Aperol spritz.

It’s all change – or quite a lot of change – at London’s biggest comedy festival, as the erstwhile Greenwich Comedy Festival moves two months ahead in the calendar and changs its name to the Greenwich Comedy Garden. Why? We’re not especially clear and it would probably be a mistake to overthink it, but the rebranded event is basically the same idea so long as you don’t turn up looking for it in September. Staged across five nights and two weekend afternoons, top-tier comedians will descend on the Old Royal Naval College for London’s largest and longest-running comedy festival. Take your pick from stellar line-ups fronted by a sucession of proper comedy A-listers, heavy on the television faves. Tom Allen, Josh Widdicombe, Alan Davies, Sarah Pascoe, David O’Doherty, Jack Dee, Chris McCauseland and Ross Noble each headine a bill of four comics.   The setting is pretty spectacular, too – performances take place in an outdoor stage with the Royal Naval College as the backdrop. Get there early to take advantage of the food stalls, bars and breezy summer vibes.

Normally free comedy gigs make their money back on the booze. But in a gesture of outstanding benevolence, BAFTA and Emmy-winning entertainent producer Ralph has teamed up with Gipsy Hill Brewery for a night where both comedy and beer are free. Running 90 minutes and starting at 6pm at Spitalfields Market, it’s a real fightback for the increasingly endangered concept of going for one after work. And it’s a cracking line-up, with big name Jamali Maddix headlining over Lindsay Santoro, Limahl Germain and Li Jin Hao, with Aurie Styla as emcee.

Sir Lenny Henry has long since transcended being a ‘mere’ comedian – if he ever really was – with a career that has long leant more towards the stage, kids’ books and general elder statesman-ing. He’s still got it, though: aged 67 he heads out on his first stand-up tour in over a decade with Still at Large. His first since 2010, it’s billed as ‘part stand-up, part storytelling and part conversation’.

Thanks to the ongoing cult behemoth that is Taskmaster, its host Greg Davies finds his stand up career hitting new highs, with a month of shows at the Apollo for his new show Full Fat Legend to be followed in December with his debut at the O2 – his biggest show to date. Despite the immodest name, the new show is, in essence, an autobiographical exploration of what an idiot he is. 

15 acts compete in this heat of the 2013 Laughing Horse New Act of the Year competition, plus MC Lewis Bryan.