High Wycombe, Get Ready to Party: Big Bash 26 is Back!
2026-08-24T11:09:41Z
Taking over High Wycombe Cricket Club on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September, this gloriously home-grown festival weekend begins with comedy beneath the Big Top and builds into a proper Saturday knees-up — the kind where children can disappear happily towards the fair rides by day, and grown-ups can end the evening attempting Waterloo with total conviction.
Big Top Laughs, with a Seriously Good Line-Up - Friday
Before Saturday gets all festival-y, Big Bash 26 is kicking things off with a Friday Comedy Night that’s considerably more exciting than your average end-of-week pint. The Big Top tent opens at 6.30pm on Friday 11 September, bringing together four brilliant comics — from a familiar TV face to sharp new circuit talent.
Here’s who you’ll be seeing:
Zoe Lyons
You’ll likely know Zoe from Mock the Week, QI, Live at the Apollo or one of her many brilliantly competitive television appearances (she won Celebrity Mastermind, naturally). A Funny Women winner and former recipient of Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe, Zoe is the safe pair of very funny hands you want anchoring a comedy night.
Tom Elwes
London comic Tom Elwes brings high-energy storytelling and quick-fire observations on the chaos of modern life — basically, the stuff we’re all trying to make sense of while pretending to have it together. He’s a regular at London’s Top Secret and Vauxhall Comedy Clubs, has built a huge online following with sketches viewed millions of times, and co-hosts the podcast All I Do Is Fail.
Alfie Packham
Writer, comedian and BBC New Comedy Award semi-finalist Alfie Packham is one to catch before everyone else starts claiming they saw him first. His stand-up is sharply observed, smart and satisfyingly silly in equal measure, with stories that take in belonging, family and the peculiarities of everyday life. He also writes for The Guardian, Observer, The News Quiz and The Now Show, so expect a keen eye for the absurd.
Felicity Ward
Australian-born, London-based Felicity Ward has the sort of deliciously kinetic, confessional style that makes a room feel as though it’s in on the joke with her. She mixes quick delivery, physical comedy and razor-sharp takes on everything from dating and cats to anxiety and life’s bigger questions — all with the self-deprecating charm of a friend recounting an absolutely unhinged week over wine.
With tickets at £15 — or just £5 when booked with a Saturday ticket — Friday’s Big Top comedy night is rather more than a warm-up. It’s a very good reason to start the Bash early.
Start with Ice Cream and Finish with ABBA - Saturday
Saturday starts at 11 am with plenty of things to keep the kids entertained, including fairground rides, food stalls and a sweet van — all very good reasons not to faff about with packed lunches.
The local band line-up rolls on through the afternoon and evening, before an ABBA tribute provides the sparkly closing number. No judgement if you arrive in flares.
Who’s On Stage?
- 2.30–3.15pm — Broken Colours
- 3.45–4.45pm — Black Sheep of Penn
- 5.15–6.15pm — Our Friends Electric
- 6.45–7.45pm — The Skadinals
- 8.15–9.15pm — UpSide
- 9.45–10.45pm — ABBA Tribute
Fancy Being a Little Bit VIP?
There’s also a VIP option for those who prefer their festival experience with fewer queues and more creature comforts. You’ll get access to a dedicated VIP area, a private bar, private toilets, comfortable seating and food-and-drink vouchers.
That’s the logistical stuff handled, then. Now all you need to decide is whether to save the sequins for the finale or wear them all day.
The Need-To-Know
When: Friday 11–Saturday 12 September 2026
Where: High Wycombe Cricket Club, London Road, High Wycombe, HP11 1DE
Friday: Comedy Night, doors 6.30pm — £15, or £5 with a Saturday ticket
Saturday: Music Festival & Family Day, 11am–11pm — Standard £20 / VIP £45
The best bit? Big Bash supports High Wycombe Cricket Club’s facilities and its junior, women’s and disability cricket programmes. A cracking local party that also gives back to the club? Now that’s something worth cheering about.
Tickets: https://www.bigbash26.co.uk/
