Stand-up in a small town
The Machynlleth Comedy Festival runs every May in Machynlleth, a market town in Powys at the southern edge of Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia). It has been running since 2011 and has grown from a small local event into one of the most respected comedy weekends in Britain.
The festival uses venues across town, from the Tabernacl arts centre to the Owain Glyndwr Institute, the bowling club and local pubs. Audiences move between shows on foot, and the small scale means you are often sitting a few feet from the performers. Headliners have included Sarah Millican, Ed Byrne, Josie Long and Mark Watson, alongside new acts trying out material for Edinburgh.
What to expect
The festival typically runs over a weekend with shows from lunchtime until late. There are main shows with bigger names, work-in-progress shows where comedians test new material, and open mic slots. The whole town gets involved, with local businesses running food stalls and late-night bars.
Machynlleth itself is worth a visit beyond the comedy. The town has independent shops, cafes and a strong community feel. The Centre for Alternative Technology is just outside town, and the Dyfi Valley and Dyfi Osprey Project are nearby. It is a good base for exploring the area.
Where to stay
Machynlleth has B&Bs, small hotels and self-catering options in and around town. Camping and glamping sites in the Dyfi Valley offer a quieter alternative. The town is on the Cambrian Line railway from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, so you can arrive without a car.
If you like comedy and want to combine it with a few days in some of the emptiest countryside in Wales, the Machynlleth Comedy Festival is a good reason to come.
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