Louis C.K. and a star-studded “Strangers with Candy” live reunion are among the headliners of the 2025 New York Comedy Festival, when it returns to the city for more than a week of stand-up, sketch, improv and podcasts.
The preliminary lineup of what is billed as the “longest-running annual comedy festival in the United States,” will also include performances by Margaret Cho, Hannah Berner, Michael Blackson, Trevor Wallace, Yohay Sponder, The Basement Yard, Ryan Long, Alex Edelman, Morgan Jay, Chris Fleming, Pete Holmes, Ismo and Nurse John.
Taking place Nov. 7 to Nov. 16, this year’s festival boasts more than 100 shows across all five boroughs with 200-plus comedy acts from around the world. Tickets go on sale to the general public on July 21.
Historic venues such Carnegie Hall, Beacon Theatre, Madison Square Garden and Town Hall will host many of the bigger shows, while some of the city’s more intimate stand-up venues will showcase emerging talent in comedy.
“Late Show” host Stephen Colbert, best-selling author and all-around satirical superwoman Amy Sedaris, and Emmy Award-winning funnyman Paul Dinello will hold court at Town Hall on Nov. 8 for “A Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Cancellation of Strangers with Candy” It’s sure to be a night of filthy and irreverent hilarity paying homage to the short-lived Comedy Central cult classic “that changed TV’s rulebook.”
The scandal-scarred Louis C.K., who confessed in 2017 to masturbating in front of women without their consent following allegations by at least five women, will hit the Beacon on Nov. 14 with “Louis C.K. Ridiculous.”
Also, Michael Blackson’s “America Is Fkd Comedy Tour” is set to make a stop at The Venue at Hard Rock Hotel NY on Nov. 14, and Margaret Cho will bring her “Choligarchy” to Town Hall on Nov. 15.
Courtesy New York Comedy Festival
Michael Blackson and Margaret Cho are among the headliners at the New York Comedy Festival this November. (Courtesy New York Comedy Festival)
Festival founder Caroline Hirsch, the owner of now-shuttered Caroline’s On Broadway, called the initial rollout of comedians “a dynamic mix of global headliners and rising voices that reflect where comedy is right now and where it’s headed” in Monday’s announcement.
She added: “In a constantly shifting landscape, we stay committed to spotlighting new voices, championing fresh perspectives, breaking form, and shaping a festival that sets the standard both creatively and commercially.”
Celebrating its 21st year, the festival plans to announce additional details for major events in the coming months such as star-studded Stand Up for Heroes benefit, Comics to Watch, live podcast recordings and panel discussions.
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