Here Are the Headliners for the 2025 New York Comedy Festival

The New York Comedy Festival — the largest and longest running annual event of its kind in the United States — has announced its initial slate of headliners for 2025, its 21st anniversary, and, as usual, the lineup includes some of the biggest names in comedy and improv, along with stars of the burgeoning podcast world.

The masters of mirth headlining the festival — which runs from Friday, Nov. 7, to Sunday, Nov. 16 — includes Margaret Cho, Louis C.K., Morgan Jay, Hannah Berner, Michael Blackson, Pete Homes, Chris Fleming, Strangers With Candy featuring Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert, Jay Ismo, Ryan Long, Nurse John, Yohay Sponder, Trevor Wallace, Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez of The Basement Yard podcast and Alex Edelman performing his new show What Are You Going to Do.

Founded by Caroline Hirsch in 2004, the festival will play host to more than 200 comedians performing in more than 100 shows over 10 days across all five boroughs of the city, and will take place at such iconic Manhattan venues as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre and Town Hall.

“We’re thrilled to unveil this year’s incredible lineup — a dynamic mix of global headliners and rising voices that reflect where comedy is right now and where it’s headed,” said Hirsch in a statement. “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.”

Among those new voices are Santagato and Alvarez of The Basement Yard. In a statement, the former said, “I have no idea how many planets had to align for this opportunity to be given to two kids from Queens, but we are so excited and will give New York the best possible show we can.”

In addition to this initial slate of headliners, the festival will announce additional shows in the coming months and additional 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, who has proven himself a master of bawdy jokes. Other annual programming includes the New York’s Funniest Stand Ups Presented By Threads competition and Comics to Watch.  

More information can be found on the festival’s website and on Instagram, Threads, X and Facebook. 

Hard Rock Hotel New York will return as the official host hotel for the NYCF for the fourth year, and Bread Financial is the official sponsor. The Bread Cashback™ American Express® Credit Card will serve as the Official Card of the event, and cardmembers can purchase pre-sale tickets to NYCF shows beginning Wednesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. ET until Friday, July 18, at 10 p.m. ET. They can also purchase preferred tickets until Monday, Aug. 11. 

Tickets for all shows are available to the general public starting Monday, July 21, at 11 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased through the NYCF website.

Here’s an initial list of scheduled performances. Dates and times are subject to change so check with the festival’s website for the most up-to-date information.