More comedians have been added to the line-up.
The first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival has been announced. Running from 26 September to 9 October, the event takes place at Boulevard City. The line-up includes local and international comedians, from Andrew Schulz to Bill Burr. More names will be announced closer to the festival. If you’d like to have a laugh, here’s what you need to know.
Bill Burr: 26 September 2025
The Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian stands out as one of the most influential comedic voices of his generation. Burr’s accolades include hosting Saturday Night Live twice, starring as JFK in Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix film Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story, and directing, co-writing, and starring in Old Dads on Netflix.
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Bad Friends: 26 & 27 September 2025
If you’re a fan of Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee’s Bad Friends podcast, you know what to expect. The duo promises a rollercoaster ride of laughter, outrageous humour, and unfiltered banter at Boulevard City. This Bad Friends Live Show offers an evening of unpredictable antics and behind-the-scenes stories from the lives and careers of the comics. But beware, because no topic is off limits.
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Maz Jobrani: 26 & 27 September 2025
American-Iranian comedian Maz Jobrani was part of the Axis of Evil comedy group. He starred in and co-wrote the comedy film Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero and has appeared in TV shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Grey’s Anatomy, Last Man Standing, and Shameless. His stand-up special Immigrant is available on Netflix.
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Whitney Cummings: 26 September
Whitney Cummings is a multi-talented comedian, director, producer, and writer. She created the sitcom 2 Broke Girls and starred in and produced Whitney. Her stand-up routines explore gender and relationships with sharp, brutally honest humour.
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Chris Distefano: 27 September 2025
Chris Distefano brings sharp, high-energy storytelling to the Riyadh Comedy Festival, pairing New York swagger with heartfelt honesty. Known for his Netflix special “Speshy Weshy,” hit podcasts “Chrissy Chaos” and “History Hyenas,” and countless viral clips, he spins everyday chaos into punchlines that land quick and clean.
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Dave Chapelle: 27 September 2025
Dave hails from Washington DC, United States. He grew up in Maryland and was inspired by the comedians Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor. He created and starred in the satirical show, Chappelle’s Show. He also starred and produced Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. He has appeared in the films A Star is Born, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and The Nutty Professor.
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Aziz Ansari: 28 September 2025
American comedian Aziz Ansari is making his debut at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Best known for his role as Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation, Aziz Ansari has built an impressive career as a writer, director, and stand-up performer. He’s won two Emmys for Master of None, a series he also co-created, and has starred in films like I Love You, Man and 30 Minutes or Less. His latest Netflix special, Nightclub Comedian, was filmed at New York’s iconic Comedy Cellar.
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Kevin Hart: 28 September 2025
Kevin Hart hails from Pennsylvania, United States. Early in his career, performing as Lil Kev, he was booed off stage – once even having chicken thrown at him. Today, he is a global comedy superstar. Known for his high-energy shows filled with personal anecdotes, he has performed across the Middle East, from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh.
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Nimesh Patel: 28 September 2025
Nimesh Patel headlines the Riyadh Comedy Festival with the cool precision and sharp turns that made him a breakout voice in stand-up comedy. A former Saturday Night Live writer, he has built a global following through sold-out tours and tightly crafted specials that strike a balance between bite and charm. Expect insightful takes on identity, marriage, work, and the peculiarities of modern life.
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Jessica Kirson: 29 September 2025
Jessica Kirson brings whirlwind energy and razor-sharp honesty to the Riyadh Comedy Festival. A powerhouse of character voices, faces, and rapid fire asides, she flips everyday anxieties into big, cathartic laughs. Audiences know her from Comedy Central specials, countless late-night sets, and the hit podcast Relatively Sane, where her quick mind and playful vulnerability shine.
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Jimeoin: 30 September 2025
Jimeoin brings his signature brand of laid-back, laser-sharp observation to the Riyadh Comedy Festival. The Irish Australian favourite has toured the world for decades, winning crowds with expressive eyebrows, perfectly timed pauses, and punchlines that sneak up on you. Fans will recognise him from Live at the Apollo, the Royal Variety Performance, and sell-out tours.
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Gabriel Iglesias: 1 October 2025
Gabriel Iglesias, nicknamed Fluffy, hails from California, United States. He charms audiences with his impressions and storytelling. He has created stand-up routines for Comedy Central and Netflix, and has also earned the accolade of being one of the top ten highest-paid comedians in the world.
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Omid Djalili: 1 October 2025
Prepare for a night of sharp satire and global humour as British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili headlines Riyadh Comedy Festival with his critically acclaimed show NAMASTE. Known for his whip-smart takes on culture, politics, and identity, Omid has long been a staple on the international comedy circuit. Voted among the UK’s top stand-ups and recognised for his standout roles in Hollywood blockbusters, he’s also the host of ITV’s Winning Combination. Whether playing a stereotypical character on screen or skewering them on stage, Omid’s comedy walks the line between bold and brilliant.
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Chris Tucker: 2 October 2025
Comedy legend Chris Tucker takes the stage at Riyadh Comedy Festival with his trademark energy and razor-sharp humour. Best known for his role in the Rush Hour series, Chris Tucker rose to fame on Def Comedy Jam and starred in cult classics like Friday and The Fifth Element.
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Jeff Ross: 2 October 2025
The Roastmaster General brings his razor-sharp wit to the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Famous from the Comedy Central Roasts and Netflix’s Bumping Mics, he turns quick observations into precision burns. Expect playful audience interaction, brilliant riffs on culture, and spontaneous moments that make each show feel one of a kind.
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Russell Peters: 2, 3 & 4 October 2025
Russell Peters, from Toronto, Canada, is a comedy legend. Known for his lightning-fast wit, sharp timing, and hilarious audience interactions, he shot to fame with CTV’s Comedy Now. Of Anglo-Indian descent, he has won Emmy, Gemini, and Peabody awards. The Riyadh Comedy Festival show promises an unfiltered evening of observational comedy, sharp improvisation, and riotous audience interaction.
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Zarna Garg: 2 October 2025
Indian-American comedian Zarna Garg brings a fresh voice to the scene. Her material draws from her Indian heritage, immigrant experience, and motherhood. She made her TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she hilariously shared how she once posted an advert to find a husband.
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Mark Normand: 3 October 2025
Mark Normand headlines the Riyadh Comedy Festival with the machine-gun punchlines that made him a cult favourite. The New Orleans native behind Netflix’s Soup to Nuts and the viral special Out to Lunch pairs tight writing with fearless wordplay, spinning anxiety, language quirks and everyday awkwardness into big laughs. Fans know him from countless late-night sets and the podcast Tuesdays with Stories!
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Pete Davidson: 3 October 2025
Pete Davidson is a comedian, actor and writer. He is famous for his raw, self-deprecating humour. He rose to fame as one of the youngest cast members on Saturday Night Live. He has also appeared in films, including The King of Staten Island, which is a semi-autobiographical drama which he co-wrote.
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Jimmy Carr & Louis C.K: 6 October 2025
British-Irish comedian Jimmy Carr recently brought his world tour, Laughs Funny, to Abu Dhabi. Now, he’s heading to Riyadh with his deadpan one-liners and dark humour. He began his career in 1997 and has appeared on several TV shows, including A Comedy Roast, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and many more. He will be joined on the night by acclaimed comic Louis C.K.
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Jo Koy: 8 October 2025
Jo Koy, from Washington, United States, dropped out of university to pursue stand-up comedy. He started performing in coffee houses in Las Vegas before landing a regular night at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. He has appeared on shows such as Chelsea Lately and The Adam Carolla Show, and created Netflix specials including Jo Koy: Comin’ in Hot and Jo Koy: Live from Seattle.
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Sam Morril: 8 October 2025
Sam Morril brings his cool, clinical delivery to the Riyadh Comedy Festival. The New York standout behind Netflix’s Same Time Tomorrow and the viral set Up On The Roof marries tight writing with sly storytelling, turning modern dating, travel mishaps and urban angst into crisp, laugh-heavy bits. Expect brisk pacing, sharp turns and a touch of crowd work, with jokes that build and pay off fast. Whether you found him online or on tour, Riyadh is set for a confident, high-precision hour.
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Tim Dillon: 8 October 2025
Comedian Tim Dillon brings his high-octane blend of satire and storytelling to the Riyadh Comedy Festival, promising a set that is fearless, fast, and funny. The New York comic is behind the hit podcast The Tim Dillon Show and the Netflix special A Real Hero, where he turns cultural obsessions, business buzzwords, and personal misadventures into razor-sharp bits.
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Tom Segura: 8 October 2025
Tom Segura, one of comedy’s sharpest voices, is bringing his signature wit to Riyadh Comedy Festival. Known for hit Netflix specials like Ball Hog, Disgraceful, and Mostly Stories, he’s also a bestselling author with I’d Like To Play Alone, Please. Tom Segura’s unfiltered humour shines on chart-topping podcasts Your Mom’s House and 2 Bears 1 Cave.
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Andrew Schulz: 9 October 2025
The American stand-up comedian Andrew Schulz always comes close to the line with his jokes. He is quick-witted, fearless, and has made a name for himself on social media. He has already performed in Abu Dhabi and is heading to Riyadh. From selling out Radio City Music Hall to his wildly popular Netflix special Schulz Saves America, he’s proven time and again that he’s a comedic powerhouse.
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Hannibal Buress: 9 October 2025
Hannibal Buress brings his dry wit and deceptively laid-back delivery to the Riyadh Comedy Festival, promising a set that blends sharp observational beats with off-kilter asides. Known from Broad City, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and stand-up specials like Comedy Camisado, he slides from absurd life hacks to pop-culture detours with effortless timing.
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Sebastian Maniscalco: 9 October 2025
Sebastian Maniscalco, from Illinois, United States, is the son of Italian immigrants. Influenced by greats like George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld, he has released six comedy specials. In 2017, he transitioned into film, with roles in The House, Green Book, The Irishman, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).
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