September 12, 2024

Comedy Festivals

FOR INFORMATION ON COMEDY FESTIVALS IN 2024, PLEASE REDIRECT YOURSELF TO MY NEWSLETTER: FROM THE COMIC’S COMIC

link here: https://fromthecomicscomic.com/comedy-festivals/

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Some additions to note for 2023 below

I know I’m missing several other new or revived festivals in the States and abroad, so please feel free to email me at thecomicscomic AT gmail DOT com to include yours on this page!

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO COVID-19, THIS WHOLE LIST IS CURRENTLY IN FLUX. I’ll update with best known information as it comes in. If you have a festival you’d like to have listed here, please contact me with your festival’s website and information. Thanks!

For more about some of these 2022 fests, click here.

Past year for reference…

2021

  • THE BOOM CHICAGO COMEDY FESTIVAL: July 24 to Aug. 1, 2021 — Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS. Hybrid mix of live shows in Amsterdam, and daily “Comedy Conversations” with alumni livestreamed from NYC and LA. Comedy Conversation Pass. Lisa Jolley: Monday July 26; Seth Meyers: Tuesday July 27; Colton Dunn: Wednesday July 28; Ike Barinholtz and Josh Meyers: Thursday July 29; Kay Cannon: Friday July 30; Brendan Hunt: Saturday July 31; Jordan Peele: Sunday Aug. 1 
  • EDINBURGH FRINGE: Aug. 6-30, 2021 — SCOTLAND. Details TBA. Instructions and guidelines for performers wanting to put on a show at the Fringe. Tickets and show lineups began going on sale July 1. First comedy shows (of only 16 so far) include Daniel Sloss, Andrew Maxwell, Mark Nelson. NOTE: As of July 6, the US remains in the “Amber” list of nations, so any Americans performing or visiting must quarantine for 10 days AFTER arriving in Scotland before venturing out to shows.
  • BURBANK COMEDY FESTIVAL: Aug. 8-21, 2021 — Burbank, Calif. 2021 edition expected and planned for hybrid of live in-person events as well as virtual showcases. We are accepting submissions for stand-up comedy, sketch/improv groups, comedic short films, variety acts, comedy magic, musical comedy acts, and more!  Non-refundable $50 early-bird submission fee. Fee increases to $75 at noon May 1. In addition, all comedians must fill out a Flappers Comedy Talent Profile. More info at the submission site for Burbank/Flappers.
  • THE TINY CUPBOARD PENTHOUSE COMEDY SUMMER FESTIVAL: Aug. 26-29, 2021 — NEW YORK CITY. Hosted by Tiny Cupboard, and performed on literal rooftops around the city. Actually just the one rooftop in Brooklyn. Also indoors sometimes? You get it. THUR August 26 630pm Indoors (Best of Fest Woman) Malorie Bryant (Mad Love Comedy) Emma Willmann (Crazy Ex Girlfriend) Dina Hashem (Comedy Central) Chanel Ali (Comedy Central) Maddy Smith (Wild ‘N Out) Onika Mclean (Bravo)THUR 730pm Rooftop (Rooftop Kickoff) Tyler Fischer (Last Week Tonight With John Oliver) Sean Patton (Comedy Central) Monroe Martin (Comedy Central) Tom Thakkar (Comedy Central) Kerryn Feehan (TLC) Usama Siddiquee (America’s Got Talent) Anthony DeVito (Comedy Central)THUR 830pm Indoors (Around the World) Farooq Hussain (5th Borough Comedy Fest) Mohanad Elshieky (Conan) Ismael Loutfi (Comedy Central) Shatha Yas (Fickle Comedy) Daniel Simonsen (Colbert) Shafi Hossain (Penthouse Comedy) Dina Hashem (Comedy Central)THUR 930 Rooftop (Late Night No Hold) Igor Martinez (Comedy Network Live) Ian Fidance (Comedy Central) Jason Choi (Boston Comedy Fest) Jake Velazquez (Penthouse Comedy) Brittany Brave (TBS) Derek Gaines (King of Staten Island)FRI 6pm Rooftop Maximilian Spinelli (Buzzfeed) Jacob Williams (Wild ‘N Out) Derek Humprey (New York Comedy Fest) Alex Carabano (HBO) Peter Wong (Tosh.O) Brittany Cardwell (Drule) Usama Siddiquee (America’s Got Talent)FRI 7pm Indoors Misha Han (TBS) Gary Vider (Colbert) Jack Finnegan (TikTok) Bryan Torresday (NBC) Mae Planert (New York Times) Shafi Hossain (Penthouse) Monroe Martin (Comedy Central)FRI 8pm Rooftop Torrey Huggins (Sweet Tea Comedy) Matthew Broussard (Fallon) Espi Rivadeneira (Stand & Deliver) Tony Sykowski (Piped Up Comedy) Ryan Erwin (Dry Bar Comedy) Daniel Perafan (Laser Train) Emma Willmann (Crazy Ex Girlfriend)FRI 9pm Indoors Jessica Levin (Tough Love Comedy) Harrison Greenbaum (America’s Got Talent) Ben Kirschenbaum (Borscht) Ashton Womack (Comedy Central) Jake Velazquez (Penthouse Comedy) Nick Tillelli (Governors Comedy Club) Kerryn Feehan (TLC)FRI 10 pm Rooftop Dan Frank (Comedians Under The Stairs) Nathan Macintosh (Fallon, Colbert) Vanessa Jackson (NBC) JC Coccoli (Funny or Die) J Smitty (Comedy Central) Bo Ballew (Water Line Comedy) Daniel Simonsen (Colbert)SAT 430 pm Rooftop Tony Sykowski (Piped Up Comedy) Steven Rogers (Colbert) Jessica Levin (Tough Love Comedy) Dan Frank (Comedians Under The Stairs) Jason Choi (Boston Comedy Fest) Harrison Greenbaum (America’s Got Talent) Sarah Tollemache (Comedy Central)SAT 630pm Rooftop Brittany Cardwell (Drule) Leland Long (Memphis Comedy Festival) Julio Diaz (The Stand) Ryan Erwin (Dry Bar Comedy) Mae Planert (New York Times) Tom Thakkar (Comedy Central) Sean Patton (Comedy Central)SAT 7pm Indoors Shatha Yas (Fickle Comedy) Nick Tillelli (Governors Comedy Club) J Smitty (Comedy Central) John McCombs (The Wild Comedy Club) Shafi Hossain (Penthouse Comedy) and Two Special Guests!SAT 830 pm Rooftop Derek Humprey (New York Comedy Fest) Dan Pyatetsky (Laugh Factory) Igor Martinez (Comedy Network Live) Mike Bramante (Tell You What) Alex Carabano (HBO) Peter Wong (Tosh.O) Chanel Ali (Comedy Central)SAT 9pm Indoors Daniel Perafan (Laser Train) Farooq Hussain (5th Borough Comedy Fest) Peter Angelo (QuaranTOON) Jake Velazquez (Penthouse Comedy) Ashton Womack (Comedy Central) JC Coccoli (Funny or Die) Anthony DeVito (Comedy Central)SAT 1030 pm Rooftop Espi Rivadeneira Bo Ballew Matthew Broussard (Comedy Central) Ben Kirschenbaum (Borscht) Eion Falance Ismael Loutfi (Comedy Central) Nathan Macintosh (Fallon)SUN 6pm Rooftop Brittany Brave (TBS) Gianmarco Soresi (Comedy Central) Sam Ike (Sirius XM) Maximilian Spinelli (Buzzfeed) John McCombs (The Wild Comedy Club) Malorie Bryant (Mad Love Comedy) Leland Long (Memphis Comedy Festival)SUN 7pm Indoors Julio Diaz (The Stand) Nick Griffin (Colbert) Eion Falance Torrey Huggins (Sweet Tea Comedy) Shafi Hossain (Penthouse Comedy) Vanessa Jackson (NBC) and Special Guest!SUN 8pm Rooftop Dan Pyatetsky (Laugh Factory) Special Guest Peter Angelo (QuaranTOON) Misha Han (TBS) Onika McLean (Bravo) Bryan Torresday (NBC) Tyler Fischer (HBO)SUN 9pm Indoors Mike Bramante (Tell You What) Sam Ike (Sirius XM) Jake Velazquez (Penthouse Comedy) Jack Finnegan (TikTok) Steven Rogers (Colbert) Derek Gaines (King of Staten Island) Live Interactive Podcasts:The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi (Comedy Central) Sunday 3pm With special guest Ashton Womack (Comedy Central)! also—Saturday Pre-Show Party! 3pm! Meet fans and comics.
  • LIMESTONE COMEDY FESTIVAL: Sept. 2-4, 2021 — Bloomington, INDIANA. Details forthcoming. Sara Schaefer announced as a headliner as of July 12.
  • HIGH PLAINS COMEDY FESTIVAL: Sept. 16-18, 2021 — Denver, COLORADO. Performers page.
  • LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL: Sept. 17-19, 2021 — Las Vegas, NEVADA. Life is Beautiful, Las Vegas’ premier three-day music, art, culinary and comedy festival has announced its full comedy line up for “The Kicker” featuring comedian and best-selling author Sarah Cooper, the hit “Sibling Rivalry” podcast featuring Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change, as well as performances from Ziwe, iconicstar and executive producer of her self-titled Showtime variety series,Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Sam Jay and “Crazy Rich Asians” actor Nico Santos. The laugh-packed lineup of top and upcoming standup comedians, dazzling drag queens, acclaimed podcast shows and more adds an additional layer to the festival’s already impressive collection of musical acts and experiences. Open to all festival goers, The Kicker stage is located at Venue Vegas and will feature stand-up, variety shows, and podcasts from the top actors and comedians in the industry. Fans can also catch a live episode of hit comedy podcasts, “Stiff Socks” with Trevor Wallace and “The Bitch Bible” with Jackie Schimmel. Each evening, Venue Vegas will transform into every millennial’s dream party with nostalgia-filled themed nights including 90’s, Y2K, and Emo Night dance parties presented by the Emo Night Tour.
  • MOONTOWER COMEDY FESTIVAL: Sept. 22-25, 2021 — Austin, TEXAS. Headliner shows over three weekends this spring/summer, but plans for a 10th annual festival proper in September 2021. READ: Initial lineup and details.
  • PAY GAP FESTIVAL: Sept. 25-26, 2021 — MINNESOTA. Music, comedy and more at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. Live shows. Ticket options include livestreaming for those who cannot attend.
  • NORTH COAST COMEDY FESTIVAL: Oct. 5-10, 2021 — NEW YORK CITY. Hosted by hip-hop improv group North Coast at Asylum NYC. Tues 10/5- 8:30pm: Anybody! An Improvised historical hip hopera in the style of HamiltonWed 10/6- 8:30pm: I Love NY Improv: Featuring Squirrel and Magnet Theaters Thur 10/7- 8:30pm: Nate and Hila’s Eco Rap SpectacularFri    10/8- 9:00pm:Astronomy ClubSat   10/9- 7:30pm:AzN PoP!Sun  10/10- 7:00pm: Astronomy Club9:00pm: North Coast: Flagship Show
  • ALBUQUERQUE FUNNY FIESTA: Oct. 15-23, 2021 — NEW MEXICO.
  • COACHELLA VALLEY IMPROV/COMEDY FESTIVAL: Oct. 23-24, 2021 — Cathedral City, Calif. — Formerly the Joshua Tree Improv/Comedy Festival, this fest has moved from Joshua Tree to Cathedral City outside of Palm Springs. The committee’s official selections will perform at the Coachella Valley Repertory theater, with performances judged by a live audience to determine an overall winner. Winner(s) offered a paid return engagement. Last year’s overall winner was improv duo “redDoor,” who will be headlining Saturday night and teaching a workshop. Other events being planned for the festival include a special guest appearance by comedy legend Tom Dreesen, a variety of improv and comedy workshops, and more. Submission fee: $25. Final deadline to submit: July 31. For more information, go to https://cvrep.org/cvicf/ or contact Jeanette Knight at cvimprovfest@cvrep.org.
  • RED CLAY COMEDY FESTIVAL: Nov. 4-6, 2021 — ATLANTA. Submission info here.
  • JUST FOR LAUGHS CANCUN: Nov. 4-7, 2021 — MEXICO. Escaping to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. Thursday: Daytime Nikki Glaser live podcast recordingBad Friends podcast special Q&A with Jim Jefferies at the Kukulkan TeatroNikki Glaser evening stand-up showJim Jefferies headlines Main Stage at The Arena TeatroGoddamn Comedy Jam late-night beach party with Josh Adam Meyers; Friday: Daytime Nicole Byer live podcast recordingBad Friends podcast special Q&A with Tom Segura at the Kukulkan TeatroJay Pharaoh hosts a hilarious line-up at the main stage at The Arena Teatro including: Ron Funches, Donnell Rawlings, Debra DiGiovanni and moreGoddamn Comedy Jam late-night beach party with Josh Adam MeyersLate-night show with Steve-O; Saturday: Daytime live podcast recording at the Maya BeachAfternoon podcast recording with Steve-O. Tom Segura headlines the main stage at The Arena TeatroGoddamn Comedy Jam late-night beach party with Josh Adam Meyers **subject to change
  • NEW YORK ARAB-AMERICAN COMEDY FESTIVAL: Nov. 4-6, 2021 — NEW YORK CITY. Back to celebrate its 18th anniversary–and this year it’s all live and in person!  It’s literally the only festival in the United States where you can see over 20 of the top Arab American comedians join forces to make audiences laugh. All shows at Gotham Comedy Club.
  • SKANKFEST SOUTH: Nov. 5-7, 2021 — HOUSTON. Shows at The Secret Group. From the comedians and crew who bring you the Legion of Skanks podcast and the GaS Digital Network. Tickets and info at Skankfest.net.
  • NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL: Nov. 8-14, 2021 — NYC. Tickets on pre-sale now. General public can buy tickets starting Aug. 23. VIR DAS, TIM DILLON, COLIN QUINN, MICHELLE WOLF, NORM MACDONALD, MEGAN STALTER, RONNY CHIENG, JON LOVETT’S LOVETT OR LEAVE IT, SMART FUNNY & BLACK LIVE!, NICK KROLL, ALOK, MARC MARON, BRIAN REGAN, GARY GULMAN, BILL MAHER, MICHELLE BUTEAU, ANDREW SANTINO AND MORE TO HEADLINE, NOVEMBER 8-14 CITI CARDMEMBER PRE-SALE RUNS FROM AUGUST 18 – 22, TICKETS ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON AUGUST 23; TICKETS AVAILABLE AT NYCOMEDYFESTIVAL.COM
  • BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL: Nov. 9-13, 2021 — MASSACHUSETTS. Annual competition returns, plus showcases and more.
  • FLYOVER: Nov. 11-13, 2021 — St. Louis, MISSOURI. A three-day comedy invasion of The Grove in St. Louis, MO featuring stand-up, sketch, improv + more. Headlined by Rachel Feinstein, Doug Benson and Friends.