In the mood to laugh your guts out? Luckily for you, the Sydney Comedy Festival is all set to roll into town for a month of cracking jokes, bites, and beverages.
With this year marking the event’s 20th anniversary and its biggest program to date, 2025 is bound to be a belter.
With shows taking place from Chatswood to Bondi, from the Inner West out to Penrith—and running from 21 April to 18 May—out-of-towners can catch the finest Aussie acts and international drawcards from every corner of Sydney.
To make sure you don't miss a minute, we've teamed up with Sydney Comedy Festival to round up some of the must-see performances, top venues, and late-night shows to add to your festival itinerary.
Must-See Shows
Who better to grab the spotlight than the exclusive headliner, Mr Daniel Sloss? Hitting the Sydney Opera House at 8pm on Thursday 24 April, there’s no denying this Scot’s show is set to be a comedic riot. With a knack for blending dark humour with sharp insights, if you’re into raw, unapologetic storytelling, this is the show for you.
An age-old favourite of the festival, Sydney Comedy Festival’s Gala Nights is a must-attend. Bringing together some of the best comedic talent on the lineup, this fast-paced, high-energy showcase is packed with punchlines and one-liners. With seven gala nights taking place on the 2025 calendar, pick your theatre of choice and snap up your ticket here.
Because nothing beats a good chuckle in nature, The Great Laugh In The Park is the must-attend family-friendly event on Saturday 26 April featuring the likes of Jimmy Rees and Dorothy The Dinosaur. With plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained, there is ample oppurtunity for the rents to sit back, relax and enjoy some top-tier comedy amongst Darling Harbour's lush Tumbalong Park. To round off a great day kicking back on the grass, be sure to stick around for the Gala On The Green event and the boogie-fuelling sounds of party band Furnace & The Fundamentals.
Top-Rated Venues
Playing host to performances from Connor Burns and Jenny Tian, The Enmore Theatre is a total gem to soak up the best of the festival. With its old-school charm and intimate vibe, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a cackle or two over a glass of red. Plus, it's within walking distance to Bar Planet—our favourite twisted bistro serving up highly addictive popcorn and galactic martinis.
Known as the unofficial hub of the Sydney Comedy Festival, Factory Theatre boasts six rooms that tackle up to 20 shows on any given night. A spot where comedy feels at home, you'll find this grungy and intimate long stander tucked away on a charming corner of Marrickville. With its relaxed vibe and quirky decor, it’s the perfect place to catch some of the freshest comedy the festival has on offer, including Heath Franklin and Pat and Faye Shortt.
Because West is always best, this year the festival's added Joan Penrith Theatre into the mix. With its sleek and spacious feel, it’s the kind of venue where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy classy comedy in style. Offering a week of shows between 27 April and 3 May, you'll want to make it out of the hustle and bustle and into Penrith.
For The Night Owls
There's a certain magic to late-night comedy, and these shows are well worth the next-day yawns and arvo coffee. With a new lineup of artists hitting the Sydney Comedy Festival’s Showcase @ The Comedy Store every Friday and Saturday night from 9:40pm, this one's the perfect after-dinner mint to add to your festival agenda.
For a dose of biting humor and killer one-liners, Reuben Kaye will be hitting the Enmore on Thursday 24 April at 9:15pm. After a nomination for the biggest award in comedy during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, be sure to join him and his band for an outrageous, joyous, and funny night out.
To secure tickets and dive head first into NSW's biggest month of comedy head here.
Need a pre-show dinner or post-laugh tipple? Check out:
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Sydney Comedy Festival. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Images: Sydney Comedy Festival.