New York Comedy Festival Announces Expanded 2025 Lineup

The New York Comedy Festival (NYCF) announced the addition of more than 100 shows to its 2025 line-up on Monday morning (Aug. 18).

Highlights include the Right Now podcast with John Goblikon, the character played by comedian Dave Rispoli in a green pointy-eared goblin mask, Hannibal Buress & Friends, Maddy Smith, Ricky Velez, the I Never Liked You podcast with Matteo Lane and Nick Smith, Erica Rhodes, Jaye McBride and That Show, hosted by Chris Gethard.

Earlier this summer, the festival, which is in its 11th year, announced a slate of headliners that will include Morgan Jay, who will play four shows in the metropolitan area — two at the Beacon Theatre, one at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn and one at Prudential Hall in Newark, NJ — Louis C.K., Margaret Cho, Pete Holmes, The Basement Yard, Hannah Berner, Michael Blackson, and Strangers with Candy with Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello and Amy Sedaris. 

In addition to this initial slate of headliners, the festival will announce additional shows in the coming months and more details for what have become staples of the proceedings. They include Stand Up for Heroes, the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s fundraiser for military veterans and their families, which draws A-list comedians and musicians, including such regulars as Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, Jerry Seinfeld and Bruce Springsteen. Other annual programming includes the New York’s Funniest Stand Ups Presented By Threads competition and Comics to Watch.  

See the full lineup of additional shows HERE.

“We’re incredibly excited to unveil this year’s expanded lineup, featuring more than 100 shows across all five boroughs of the city,” said Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the festival in a statement. “The level of talent joining us this year is nothing short of phenomenal. Our continued mission is to uplift and celebrate the dynamic New York comedy community — bringing together rising stars and iconic performers in the city’s most storied venues that reflect the incredibly rich diversity and boundless energy of this city.”

For the fourth consecutive year, Hard Rock Hotel New York is the official host hotel for the NYCF. With music and entertainment at its core, the hotel will once again be home to various festival performances, events, and after-parties, along with exclusive overnight experiences for those in the audience or commanding the stage.

The 2025 NYCF is made possible by its partners Bread Financial, Threads, Hard Rock Hotel New York, ABC7, iHeart Radio, NYC Media & Entertainment, NYC Tourism + Conventions, Founded in NYC, New York Magazine, New York Post, Vulture and The Wall Street Journal.

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