Comedy Night

A charity comedy night works brilliantly because laughter creates generosity — people in a good mood give more. Local comedy circuits have a ready supply of acts looking for stage time, and many will perform for free or a small fee for charity.

The format is similar to a concert: ticket sales cover costs, and a raffle plus collection in the interval add to the total. An MC to warm up the crowd and link acts makes all the difference.

• A venue with a stage or raised area and a PA
• 3–5 confirmed comedy acts
• An MC to host the evening
• Advance tickets via Kayana Aid
• Raffle prizes
• Volunteers for door, bar, and collection duties

1. 01

   Find your acts

   Contact local comedy clubs, open-mic nights, and comedy agencies. Many acts perform for free for charity — be upfront about the nature of the event and what you can offer (exposure, a donation letter for their portfolio).

2. 02

   Book your venue

   A comedy night needs a space that can be darkened with a lit performance area. Pub function rooms, arts centres, and comedy clubs (on quiet nights) work well.

3. 03

   Sell tickets

   Price tickets at £10–£15 per person. Set up a Kayana Aid page for the event and sell tickets through your existing network. A sold-out show creates its own buzz.

4. 04

   Plan the running order

   Aim for 90 minutes to 2 hours of content: opening MC (10 mins), two support acts (15 mins each), interval (20 mins), headline act (30–40 mins). Include a charity speech and collection in the interval.

5. 05

   On the night

   Brief your MC on the charity's story so they can weave it naturally into the show. Do a bucket collection at the door and during the interval with QR code signs for digital donors.

• Vetting your acts for appropriate content is essential — agree in advance that material should be broadly accessible and avoid anything that could alienate your audience or embarrass the charity.
• A professional comedy act as your headline gives the event credibility and helps sell tickets — some well-known acts do charity work for reduced fees.
• Partner with a local comedy club — they may co-promote the event in exchange for a share of the name credit.