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In September and October 2025, Rochdale hosted its inaugural Comedy Festival, with events held across the Borough of Rochdale during the year it was designated Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture. Running from 26 September to 5 October 2025, the ten-day festival attracted over 1,000 attendees to live comedy performances, representing an important cultural milestone for the borough.

Curated by Ace Lips Comedy and supported by Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale RDA and Rochdale Town Centre Management, the festival showcased a vibrant mix of nationally recognised comedians, emerging performers and local talent. Events were delivered in a wide range of venues, from community spaces to the Rochdale Masonic Lodge, ensuring accessibility and broad appeal for audiences across the borough.

The festival also placed a strong emphasis on inclusion and wellbeing. Comedy workshops, delivered in partnership with Dave Williams, focused on confidence‑building and supporting individuals experiencing social anxiety or mental health challenges. Family‑friendly programming was a key feature, including a child‑only comedy performance at Broadfield Community Primary School, introducing younger audiences to live comedy in a safe and engaging way.

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The inaugural Rochdale Comedy Festival celebrated creativity, connection and cultural participation, successfully laying the foundations for future comedy and cultural events in the borough.

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Comedians appearing as part of the Rochdale Comedy Festival 2025 included:
#AlexCamp, #AlexMitchell, #AndyKelly, #AnthonyWilliams, #ArronWood, #BenSilver, #BenTurner, #BigLou, #Biswas, #BrennanReece, #DaisyEarl, #DaveTwentyMan, #DaveWilliams, #DebbieHolt, #DawnBailey, #EthanMadds, #HannahMargaret, #HenryMichael, #JackMiller, #JamieSutherland, #JonnyAwsum, #JonnyBrook, #JustinaSesel, #LornaGray, #LouConran, #LubnaKerr, #MandyMcCarthy, #MickMiller, #PatrickMonahan, #PeteSelwood, #RobinInce, #SeetaWrighton, #StephenCookson, #TezIlyas and #TheHallsOfRidiculous.