UK Laughter Festival and Championships
The UK Laughter Festival and Championships was founded in Manchester in 2012 by an experienced crew in the areas of community development, festival organisation, filmmaking and event organisation, including:
- Robin Graham (co-founder of the World Laughter Pledge and UK Laughter Network)
- Albert Nerenberg (Filmmaker and founder of the Ultimate Laughing Championships)
- Matthias Roos (German psychologist)
- Rev David Gray (Community leader in Manchester)
- Michael and Manda Stretch (Community and Laughter Yoga teachers)
It was originally called The Olaughics because it was inspired by the 2012 London Olympics.
2013 saw the launch of Wales National Laughter Day (12th June) and LaughWales, a project to promote laughter throughout the country and in particular in areas of social deprivation.
In 2014, we had a Laughter Party in Manchester for 120 people, and a conference for 110 people from around the UK and overseas.
By 2019, we held our 8th UK National Laughter Championships at The Comedy Store, Manchester. And during lockdown, we held the Championships online!
Our next championships and festival will be on Sunday, 3rd May 2026 at The Monastery, Gorton.
