Simon Amstell, Tim Key, Fern Brady & more, live at Christmas at Aviva Studios

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
Aviva Factory International

21 December 2023 Tickets from £28.00 — Book now

Cor, what a line-up. Some of the country’s best comedians come to Manchester this December for a spectacular all-star festive show. It’s held at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International (not to be confused with all Manchester’s other many, many Factories).

But, “Who? Who is on the bill?” I hear you cry. That’ll be no less than Simon Amstell, Tim Key, Fern Brady, Ivo Graham, Jen Brister and Kyrah Gray.

It’s headlined by Simon, best known for his stint being rude to people on Popworld and Nevermind The Buzzcocks back in the lawless mid-00s, before switching it up and becoming a BAFTA nominee and Netflix star.

Joining Simon is cult comic/poet and Alan Partridge star Tim Key, Scotland’s comedy queen and breakout Taskmaster star Fern Brady, bumbling wordsmith Ivo Graham, superstar in the making Kyrah Gray and the phenomenal Jen Brister as host.

21 December 2023 Tickets from £28.00 Book now

Where to go near Simon Amstell, Tim Key, Fern Brady & more, live at Christmas at Aviva Studios

Cumbria
Theatre
The Coro

Nestled in the heart of Ulverston, a rural market town on the fringes of the Lake District, stands The Coro —an esteemed historic hub for arts, culture, and entertainment

Cumbria
Shop
Sam Read Bookseller

Award-winning small bookshop in the Lake District. Est. by Sam Read in 1887. Run by Will Smith and Polly Atkin.

Restaurant
Capri

Capri serves up homely, family-style Italian food in North Yorkshire.

Manchester
Restaurant
Manchester Wine Tours

Manchester Wine Tours is a relaxed, fun wine tour, taking in four or five venues across three hours, plus six high-quality glasses of wine.

Sheffield
Shop
Juno Books

Friendly local queer and intersectional feminist bookshop in Sheffield. Visit for interesting fiction and non fiction books.

Restaurant
The Dusty Miller

Family friendly pub situated in the beautiful village of Mytholmroyd.

Winckley Square
Lancashire
Park
Winckley Square

Hosting a variety of year-round events, from guided walks to jazz evenings, Winckley Square is a Georgian square packed with history in Preston city centre.

Friargate
Lancashire
Shop
Friargate

With an array of independent shops and places to eat and drink, including a number of contemporary pubs and bars, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Avenham and Miller Parks
Lancashire
Park
Avenham and Miller Parks

Located in the heart of Preston, Avenham and Miller Parks are among the finest examples of traditional Victorian parkland in the North West.

What's on: Comedy

Until
ComedyManchester
Killer Comedy Club

Killer Comedy Club showcases “the UK’s best upcoming and coming comedians” for a night of roof-raising laughs, with pop-up nights all across the North West.

from £12
Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
XS Malarkey

Providing award-winning Comedy since 1997, XS Malarkey is a not-for-profit comedy club, hosted every week by Toby Hadoke.

from £3
Until
ComedyManchester
Comedy Balloon

Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.

free entry

Culture Guides

Music in Manchester and the North

Spotlighting global artists who all, in one way or another, break the mould, we preview the best gigs happening this side of Christmas and beyond.