Glasgow Comedy Festival 2026: The comedians' picks
Straight from the horses' mouths, we have recommendations from five of the best Scotland-based comics at the festival this year
Amy Matthews
John Tothill’s tour show is an ode to sumptuous living. In a world increasingly promoting restriction and minimalism, I beg you to spend an opulent hour in sumptuous company. This Must Be Heaven, Òran Mór, 20 Mar, 9.30pm, £15
I saw a WIP of Jeff Khan’s show in August and still quote it around the house. Scattergun energy and generous world building. For fans of Stath Lets Flats and David Elms. Christmas Day, Four AM, Gael & Grain, 11 Mar, 8.15pm, £7.50
An hour in Giulia Galastro’s world is an hour spent in excellent company and total originality. She’s a cabinet of comedy curiosities, full of great jokes and imaginative flair. Growth (WIP), Gael & Grain, 14 Mar, 2.45pm, £8.50
Amy Matthews: Definitions of Toast (WIP), Gael & Grain, 11 Mar, 7pm, £12
Giulia Galastro
The lineup for the GICF this year is a banquet of treats – but if I had to pick the top three morsels I’m most eager to try… I’m obsessed with Gita Blaze: she is winsome, she is wise, she is sometimes carrying a basket of mushrooms onstage. What more do you want? Absolutely Baltic, Blackfriars Basement, 15 Mar, 2.30pm, £5-7.50
Mara Joy is an endlessly inventive silly-billy, and I’m excited to see what she’s cooking up with this new show. I Am (Not) A Robot (WIP), Gael & Grain, 15 Mar, 4.45pm, £7.50-10
Hannah Cruickshank is a powerful new voice on the Scottish alt scene – she’s 50% of the team behind cool local night That’s Clown, and I can’t wait to see what she does with her first solo hour. Both Parties, Gael & Grain, 25 Mar, 7pm, £6-8.50
Giulia Galastro: Growth (WIP), Gael & Grain, 14 Mar, 2.45pm, £8.50
Hannah Cruickshank
Nobody does it like Donny Vostok. If you want to see something original, unpredictable, and very funny, do not miss this solo show from the father of irreplicable local alt-comedy night Chunks. Heet (The Crowd Work Show, I Swear I’ll Try My Best To Not Talk About 1995’s Heat For An Hour), Gael & Grain, 20 Mar, 10.15pm, £5
Guaranteed witty observations from James Byron that will make you feel young and cool for knowing what they’re talking about. A show that could be alternatively titled Everything Will Be Funny. Everything Will Be Fine, Gael & Grain, 26 Mar, 8.15pm, £7.50-10
Alvin Bang and Eva Peroni are two of the funniest storytellers on the Scottish comedy scene. Wake up sheeple and book tickets now! Alvin & Eva Go Woke, Gael & Grain, 22 Mar, 2.15pm, £10
Hannah Cruickshank: Both Parties, Gael & Grain, 25 Mar, 7pm, £6-8.50; That’s Clown, Gael & Grain, 18 Mar, 9.30pm, £6-8.50
MC Hammersmith
Loretta Maine is back! An absolute must-see for musical comedy fans, she makes me laugh and terrifies me in equal measure. Also, her doppelgänger Pippa Evans is truly one of the best improvisers in the world. MOm iS BaCk (WIP), Gael & Grain, 21 Mar, 5.15pm, £8-10
Raymond Mearns is another improvisational genius. He opens his mouth and is just funny (relentlessly). A genuine Scottish comedy icon. Raymond Mearns is Looking For Trouble, Blackfriars Basement, 22 Mar, 7 & 8.30pm, £12
Falling & Laughing are great! A mix of established and up-and-coming improvisers from across Glasgow and beyond. Big fan of them all individually and as a team. If you want to see great improv, they get my strong recommendation. Yes and, et cetera!
Falling & Laughing, The Rum Shack, 22 Mar, 8pm, £5
MC Hammersmith: Hippity Hoppity Get Off My Property, The Stand Glasgow, 22 Mar, 4pm, £17.50; Spontaneous Potter, King’s Theatre Glasgow, 18 Mar, 7.30pm, £21.50
Rosco McClelland
First up I’d like to shout out Ifrah Qureshi! She rocks. I think her style is so cool! I’m not actually sure how long Ifrah has been going but she’s already found her 'voice.' 48 Flaws of Power, Tennent’s Laughter Lounge @ Tennent’s Bar, 14 Mar, 3.30pm, £6-10
Kate Hammer is ace. The first time I saw Kate do stand up she had turned up to do her spot after being hit by a car. That’s cool tbh and this will be too! Government Approved Comedian, Blackfriars Basement, 15 Mar, 4pm, £3-6
Finally, Stephen Buchanan is called 'The Master' for a reason. I saw him working this show up and it was great then. Will be even better now it’s finished. Cold Meat, Blackfriars Basement, 18 Mar, 8pm, £12
Rosco McClelland: How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, Òran Mór, 29 Mar, 8.30pm, £18