New Year’s Eve comedy in London

Whether you’ve been a fan since the days of That Peter Kay Thing or you’ve recently discovered his sketches on TikTok, the chances are you’re familiar with Peter Kay, one of the UK’s most beloved comedians. And that’s shown by the sheer number of gigs he’s playing this year – in fact, Kay is the first ever artist to perform a monthly residency at Greenwich’s massive O2 Arena. A heck of a lot of Londoners are going to get to see Peter Kay live over the next 12 months, and those gigs continue this weekend. This Saturday (January 6), Kay takes to the O2 as part of his first tour in 12 years. Here’s everything you need to know about the show – and all the ones after that. RECOMMENDED: How to get tickets for Peter Kay’s 2023 tour  When is Peter Kay at London’s O2 Arena? Peter Kay’s next show at the O2 is on Saturday, January 6 2024. After that, he’ll play loads more dates. Here are those in full: February 24, 2024 March 23, 2024 April 20, 2024 May 4, 2024 June 2, 2024 July 13, 2024 August 10, 2024 September 7, 2024 October 8, 2024 November 16, 2024 December 5. 2024 January 25, 2025 February 22, 2025 March 20, 2025 April 4, 2025 What time will he come on stage? Kay is set to take to the stage at 8pm. What time do doors open at the London O2? Doors will open at 6:30pm and it should end by the O2’s curfew, which is 11pm.  Are there any tickets left? According to ticketing platform AXS, there are still some tickets left for the January 6 show. How much are tickets?  You can nab

London has the biggest and best comedy scene in the world, so if you love a good laugh (or a good heckle) you're in the right place. From tiny basements and rooms above pubs to boats to huge venues, there’s comedy in the capital for comedians (and audiences) of all shapes and sizes. But not all spaces are created equal. Avoid getting sucked into a rip-off joint with a vibe that's deader than Monty Python's notorious parrot with our list of London’s liveliest and best comedy nights and clubs. From try-out nights at pocket money prices to massive gigs from names off the telly, here's where to look for your next comedy night out. RECOMMENDED: Here are the very best cinemas in London.

From the return of hipster American clown Doctor Brown with his first show in 12 years to angry ‘journalist’ Jonathan Pie making his West End debut, it's another rib-tickling month in London. The best comedy clubs in London. The best new theatre shows to book for in London.

The veteran Irish comic – perhaps best known to younger audiences for his role as Gerry in ‘Derry Girls’ – is back in action with a new set of freewheeling, loosely Lenny Bruce-inspired funniness. He plays a couple of shows at Ally Pally before returning to the Apollo at the end of April.

Tom Walker’s sweary reporter alter ego has been knocking around for a while, but seems to be homing in on the big time with new show ‘Heroes & Villains’, which caps a lengthy UK tour with a fortnight in the West End. Jonathan Pie is in no way subtle: he’s a political hack forever snapping as a result of being banned from telling it how it really is (which he inevitably ends up doing). But if you’re in the market for a man swearing at the Tories a lot – and who isn’t? – then this is doubtless the show for you. 

Hugely influential silent US comic Doctor Brown – real name Phil Burgers, astonishingly – returns with his first proper new show in 12 years, a period that has seen him mentor and nurture the current impressive glut of LA-based US clown comics. ‘Beturns’ (all his shows begin with latter 'b') comes with no real promise beyond being the first Doctor Brown show in a decade – and that should be enough for most of us. 

A great pub in Angel that has a charming beer garden out front and an events space upstairs, where Angel Comedy calls home (as well as The Bill Murray down the road). There are excellent comedy line-ups here every night and they're always free.

As the unofficial comedy capital of the world, London's comedy circuit doesn't take a break. There are stand-up shows seven days a week, from early evening through to the small hours. To help you plan your week of witticisms, here's a nifty calendar of regular comedy shows in London.

Diaries at the ready: it's time to start planning your comedy year. Many of the biggest comedy tours of 2020 are coming to a London venue this year, and we've put them all into this handy planner. There's every variety of stand-up comedian in London. Check out the full list below of notable comedians on tour making their way to London in the coming months.

11.20am Well, this is embarrassing. You’re meant to be reading a breezy Q&A with Richard Gadd – the avant garde comedian behind the most talked-about comedy show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe – but the interview isn’t quite going to plan. I’m waiting to meet him in a Soho café, but he’s late. 20 minutes late to be precise. I’ve finished my latte and now I just look like I’ve been stood up. Apt for a comic who named his show ‘Waiting for Gaddot’, I guess. I’ve phoned Gadd’s publicist, Gaby Jerrard, and she says he left on time, but there’s no sign of him yet. That’s it, I think, I’m giving up. But just as I’m about to head back to the office, a text message arrives, and a couple of pictures… 11.44am Still no sign. But I’ve had a lot more texts (below) and bunch of pictures (above). Eventually, my phone rings. It’s Gadd. ‘BEN!’ he yells. ‘Sorry! Richard, here… I went the long way round to avoid the Congestion Charge. Now I’ve probably spent the equivalent in petrol… But I’ll park up and chuck the hazards on – hope for the best.’ I hear a lot of cars honking in the background. ‘WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU BEEPING FOR?!’ he screams. ‘I DON’T CARE IF IT’S A HOSPITAL RAMP, I HAVE AN INTERVIEW TO GET TO! IF YOUR WATERS HAVE BROKEN THAT’S YOUR PROBLEM!’ I hear a scuffle and a car door slam, and then Gadd running (for his life?). ‘Ben,’ he pants, ‘I’m running to you on foot. But Google Maps says I’m now further away than my dead spou… sorry, dad’s house, so can we start the interview on