January 2026 is upon us, and wouldn’t you prefer to spend those chilly, dark evenings, sheltering from the freak weather of storms, snow and ice, warm and giggling away indoors at a comedy show? Just be careful on that slippy pavement. And in the spirit of a new year, let the vision board read: have more fun and laughs, be silly, and generally say yes to cheery plans that involve all of the above, and as ever, we’ve got loads of them listed here. From live touring shows around the country, to sparkling debut shows and newcomer seasons, to variety acts and improv nights, there’s something for you, whatever your taste (unless of course, your taste is any manner of physically challenging activities, which I’ll tell you now, we have none of listed below).
© Chloe Petts, Ayoade Bamgboye
1. Chloe Petts: Big Naturals
Fri-Sat 2-17 Jan @ 7:15 PM, Soho Theatre, Dean Street
Stand up Chloe Petts is currently on tour with her most recent show Big Naturals, performing for two weeks in January in London before travelling to different venues across the UK until March. This is Petts’ fourth consecutive hour, all of which have received acclaim at Melbourne and Edinburgh Fringes, and, having appeared on Live At The Apollo and Have I Got News For You, it’s clear that Petts has been busy. Expect material about growing up in the era of lad culture and page 3 models.
Grab your tickets here.
2. Ayoade Bamgboye: Swings and Roundabouts
Weds-Sat 14-24 Jan @ 8:15 PM, Soho Theatre, Dean Street
Best Newcomer award winner at last year’s Fringe, Ayoade Bamgboye brings her debut hour to Soho Theatre this month. With many Soho runs already under her belt, in her well-polished hour, Bamyboye brings expert story telling and unique observations about growing up as a twin, navigating identity and the traps of confusing British phrases.
You can grab tickets here
© Ania Magliano, Jessie Barton
3. Ania Magliano: Work In Progress
Fri 16 Jan @ 7:00 PM, The Bill Murray
Catch comic Ania Magliano (as seen on Live At The Apollo and season 20 of Taskmaster) before she shoots across the rest of the UK on tour from February, for a work in progress of a different show, at The Bill Murray. More casual than a finished stand up hour, you can expect Magliano to share her latest quick observations, funny ideas and general confessions with you in prep for a new show. Aren’t you special. You can get tickets for her tour show Peach Fuzz here.
You can grab a ticket to the work in progress show here!
4. Jessie Barton: Dirty Work
Weds-Sat 21-24 Jan @ 10:00 PM, Soho Theatre, Dean Street
Melbourne Fringe Best Newcomer winner 2025, Jessie Barton performs her naughty, slapstick, clown show, based on a Marry Poppins-esque character who uses her cleaning products in… experimental ways… (you have to see it to understand, really). Very minimal audience participation is possible. Don’t let that spook you. Full review of the show here.
You can grab a ticket to the show here!
© Ada & Bron, Natalie Palamides Weer
5. Ada & Bron: The Origin of Love
Weds-Sat 14-17 Jan @ 10:00 PM, Soho Theatre Dean Street
Sketch duo, Edinburgh Newcomer nominees 2025 (and 2021 Funny Women award winners) Ada & Bron bring their surreal and original sketch show to Soho Theatre Dean Street this month. You can expect weird and wonderful characters, sizzling chemistry and hopefully, some large laughs.
You can grab a ticket to the show here!
6. Natalie Palamides: Weer
Weds-Sat 14-24 Jan @ 7:00 PM, Soho Theatre Walthamstow
Natalie Palamides’ award winning, sold out show Weer is back, probably for the last time. Weer is a genre-bending show about star-crossed lovers (both played by Palamides) at a new years eve party in 1999, as the clock inches towards midnight. If you haven’t already, catch it this month.
You can grab a ticket to the show here!
© The Bottle & Scamps!
7. Double bill: The Bottle & Scamps!
Fri 16 Jan @ 7:00 PM, The Free Association
Watch two improv teams perform back to back in this double bill at the (relatively) new, first and only dedicated improv theatre in London, run by The Free Association. Come armed with some silly ideas to throw at the teams and watch as they craft them into hilarious bits.
Grab a ticket here!
8. Crowd Work: Frank Skinner, Emma Doran and iain stirling
Weds 14 Jan @ 7:00 PM, Leicester Square Theatre
Join comic legends Frank Skinner (creator of that football song), Emma Doran (seen on Celebrity Gogglebox) and Iain Stirling (Love Island Narrator) as they trial and test their crowd work with you delightful lot, the audience. Be prepared to engage in conversation as these comics dive into your confessions, thoughts and silly stories (not to be confused with heckles).
You can grab your ticket here
FUNNY WOMEN EVENTS
This month, we are hosting more Funny Women events, workshops and courses – whether you’re keen to try your hand at stand up, workshop your comedy writing, or generally want to support women in comedy, check out all our events here!
No images owned. Images owned by Chloe Petts, Ayoade Bamgboye, Ania Magliano, Jessie Barton, Ada & Bron, Natalie Palamides, The FA, Crowd Work Leicester Square Theatre
