Laugh ‘til your cheeks hurt at these upcoming comedy festivals featuring names like Sasheer Zamata, Trevor Noah, Nicole Byer and more:
New York Comedy Festival, New York (Nov. 4 - 10, 2019)
New Yorkers have seen it all and can be a tough crowd. The New York Comedy Festival has become a favorite among stand up lovers. It celebrates 15 years with more than 100 shows and 200 comedians this year. Headliners will include The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah, The Late Show’s Stephen Colbert and Nicole Byer (Nailed It on Netflix and the Why Won’t You Date Me? podcast). nycomedyfestival.com
Seattle International Comedy Competition, Seattle (Nov. 7 – Dec. 1, 2019)
So you think you’re a comedian? Wannabe comics, here’s your chance. New and upcoming comedians from all over the world will converge on Seattle this November for the 40th annual Seattle International Comedy Competition. The competition is open to the public, so all aspiring comedians please take note for next year and get your material ready! Or just come and watch the fun. The competition will take place at the Comedy Underground over 25 days, with 20 shows and 32 comedians all vying for $15,000 in cash prizes. Seattlecomedycompetition.org
Flyover Comedy Festival, St. Louis (Nov. 7 - 9, 2019)
Ready for takeoff? The Grove in St. Louis is a constantly growing hip hub for restaurants, bars and partying. The Flyover Comedy Festival swoops in in November, bringing nearly 100 local and regional, up-and-coming and established comedians to 30 live comedy events at four Grove venues. The diverse festival last year featured comedy superstar Janelle James, as well as Shane Torres, Willie Lynch Jr. and Justin Lee to name a few. The festival headliners this year will include former SNL cast member Sasheer Zamata as well as DC’s Brittany Carney. Check out flyovercomedyfest.com.
Cleveland Comedy Festival, Cleveland (Nov. 13 – 17, 2019)
Returning to Playhouse Square for its 12th year with more than 34 shows and 75 comedians, the Cleveland Comedy Festival has something for every type of comedy fan including clean comedy and comedy for women, by women. The 2018 festival featured a diverse schedule of headliners including Mike Paramour, Spyder Jones and Spark Tabor and included a few free shows. This year’s festival headliners will include Juanda Mayfield and Curtis Cook, among others. www.clevelandcomedyfestival.com
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, Chicago (Jan. 9 – 19, 2020)
Chicago! After the holidays and family time are over, take yourself to the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. With 120 shows, 1,000 comedians and 10,000 patrons annually from around the world, the 8-day festival is one of the largest of its kind. A comedic melting pot, the 19th annual SketchFest stars local favorites, international ensembles, veterans and fresh new talent. ChicagoSketchFest.com
SF Sketchfest , San Francisco (Jan. 9 – 26, 2020)
San Francisco’s Sketchfest improv sessions attract amazing collaborations from top comedians in the biz, so mark your calendars and get your tickets early. Last year’s festival featured Wayne Brady, with special guest Sasheer Zamata (SNL), as well as Tilda Swinton, Janeane Garofolo and one-on-one conversations with comedian W. Kamu Bell and Margaret Cho. 2020 will mark its 19th year. The festival also spotlights upcoming films, television shows and music. Stay tuned for the 2020 lineup. sfsketchfest.com
Charleston Comedy Festival, Charleston, South Carolina (Jan. 15 – 18, 2020)
Solo acts and ensembles bring the funny to Charleston, South Carolina, with the Charleston Comedy Festival presented by Theatre 99 and held at various locations around the city. The 2019 line up included actor/comedian Jamie Kennedy, as well as Hannibal Burress, Rory Scovel, Justin Luke and Quincy Jones (no, not that Quincy Jones). 2020’s lineup will be announced in January. charlestoncomedyfestival.com
Women in Comedy Festival, Boston (April 30 - May 3, 2020)
The Women in Comedy Festival has set out to celebrate inclusivity and diversity in comedy. 2019’s festival honored Wanda Sykes and featured comedians Helen Hong, Tia Notaro, Phoebe Robinson, Emma Willmann, Gina Yashere, Rita Rudner, Nicole Byer, Fareeha Khan and Julia Jeffries. Check wicf.com for details about the 2020 lineup.
Comedy Central presents Clusterfest, San Francisco (mid-June 2020)
Clusterfest is a 3-day comedy and music festival from the producers of SF Sketchfest. 2019 featured curated sketch comedy performances from superstar comedians Issa Rae, Amanda Seales, Sinbad, Ilana Glaer and Patton Oswalt in sketches such as The Black Version, Asian AF, Soul Clap and Pen Pals. Be on the lookout for the Clutchfest 2020 lineup at Clusterfest.com.
