The Women In Comedy Festival returns in October for its 14th year with over 10 days of female and non-binary performers, featuring the likes of Helen Bauer, Sikisa, Mickey Overman, Ola Labib and loads more. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite shows from this year’s lineup, but check out the full list here to find plenty more funny women.

Erika Ehler at The Fitzgerald | Fri 3 Oct | 8pm | £8

Recent Emmy Award-nominated writer (Cunk On Life) Erika Ehler brings her brand new musings to The Fitzgerald for what’s sure to be a razor sharp takedown of the modern world. Acerbic and at times acidic, Ehler is one of the best writer-performers around and any new work is always worth a look.

The Fitzgerald, 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DB
Helen Bauer at The Frog & Bucket | Sun 5 Oct | 6.30pm | £17.50

Helen Bauer brings her best show yet to Manchester with Bless Her being the talk of the Fringe this August. Bauer is always full of bluster and barmy stories – here she’ll be talking all about an enemy she’s had to live with for a year. The twist? You’ll have to watch the show to find out.

The Frog & Bucket, 102 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LJ
Hannah Platt at Lost Cat | Mon 6 Oct | 8pm | £4-8

Hannah Platt looks to follow up her smash hit debut show Defence Mechanism with this brand new work in progress. One of the best young writers in comedy , it’ll be fascinating to see what she has planned even in its infancy as she works up the supposed “difficult second album”.

Lost Cat, 64 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
Sikisa at The Fitzgerald | Sat 11 Oct | 7pm | £7

One of the best reviewed shows at the Fringe this year, Sikisa continues to go from strength to strength which each passing hour. Here, she’s ‘Serving Justice’ and reflecting on her double life as a comic and an immigration lawyer with a few Attitude Era WWE references and needle drops thrown in for good measure. Something for everyone.

The Fitzgerald, 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DB
Anna Thomas at Lost Cat | Sun 12 Oct | 4.15pm | £4-8

BBC New Comedy Award-winner Anna Thomas presents her debut work in progress show to close out the festival nicely on the Sunday afternoon. One of the most exciting and original voices to come out of the North West scene in the last decade, Thomas is a force of nature to witness and this will be full of wonder, whimsy and massive laughs.

Lost Cat, 64 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
Thu 2 Oct - Sun 12 Oct
Words:
John Stansfield
Published on:
Tue 23 Sep 2025