Latest news with #RiyadhComedyFestival
CairoScene
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Riyadh Comedy Festival to Host Over 50 Global Acts This September
This year's lineup includes big names such as Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, Gabriel Iglesias, Russell Peters, Jo Koy, Andrew Schulz, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Maz Jobrani. Riyadh Comedy Festival is set to run from September 26th to October 9th, bringing a packed programme of stand-up performances to Boulevard City. The festival is expected to host more than 50 comedians, making it one of the largest comedy events globally. This year's lineup includes big names such as Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, Gabriel Iglesias, Russell Peters, Jo Koy, Andrew Schulz, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Maz Jobrani, among others. Ticket details have not yet been announced. For updates on scheduling and bookings, audiences are advised to follow the festival's official Instagram page.
Leaders
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Riyadh Comedy Festival: Star-studded Lineup Revealed
The Riyadh Comedy Festival will bring together a stellar array of comedic talent from across the world to perform in Saudi Arabia. The Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Turki Al al-Sheikh, revealed the lineup of stand-up comedians set to participate in the world's largest comedy gathering, taking place at Boulevard City from September 26 to October 9, 2025. The Riyadh Comedy Festival will see the participation of more than 50 prominent comedians from around the globe in its inaugural edition to celebrate comedy in all its forms. The list includes Hollywood icon Chris Tucker, famous for the Rush Hour movies, and Emmy winner Aziz Ansari, co-creator and star of Master of None, who also has the upcoming film Good Fortune. استعدوا لحضور أكبر مهرجان للكوميديا في العالم بتواجد مجموعة كبيرة من أفضل النجوم العالميين ولأول مرة بالمملكة في #مهرجان_الرياض_للكوميديا من 26 سبتمبر إلى 9 أكتوبر 🇸🇦🔥 وراح نعلن عن أسماء نجوم جدد قريباً 😎 بوليفارد سيتي 📍 A comedy takeover is coming from Sept 26 to Oct 9,… — TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) July 28, 2025 The lineup also features Pete Davidson, known for Saturday Night Live and Peacock's Bupkis, and stand-up comedian Tom Segura, whose latest show Bad Thoughts received an Emmy nomination. Moreover, Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee from the popular Bad Friends podcast will join the festival, alongside Emmy-nominated writer Nimesh Patel, Amazon Prime comedy favorite Sam Morril, and the globally recognized British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili. The Riyadh Comedy Festival will also see the participation of TV and podcast personality Chris Distefano, Netflix regular Mark Normand, stand-up veteran Hannibal Buress, the six-time Emmy and three-time Grammy winner, Louis C.K., and Australian comedian Jimeoin. Other participating stars include Andrew Schulz, Bill Burr, Bobby Lee, Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias, Jessica Kirson, Jimmy Carr, Jo Koy, Kevin Hart, Maz Jobrani, Russell Peters, Sebastian Maniscalco, Whitney Cummings, and Zarna Garg. More comedians will be announced over the next weeks. The Riyadh Comedy Festival is part of Riyadh Season 2025. It will include live stand-up performances, comedy-focused talk shows, interactive sessions, and comedy workshops. Short link : Post Views: 30
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Saudi Arabia to hosts world's biggest comedy festival: Kevin Hart, Russell Peters among 50+ top comedians
Tickets for the Riyadh Comedy Festival, running September 26 to October 9, will be available starting August 1 on Image: X In a landmark move reflecting its ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, Saudi Arabia is set to host the world's largest comedy festival from September 26 to October 9, 2025, in Riyadh's vibrant Boulevard City. This historic event will gather more than 50 internationally acclaimed comedians, including household names like Kevin Hart , Russell Peters , Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias, Pete Davidson , and Chris Tucker , marking a transformative moment in global entertainment. The festival is a central feature of Riyadh Season 2025, underscoring the Kingdom's drive to position itself as a leading hub for culture, tourism, and live events in the Middle East and beyond. The Biggest Comedy Festival Ever Assembles a Stellar Global Lineup Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA), under the leadership of Chairman Turki Alalshikh, has officially unveiled an unprecedented lineup of comedy stars for the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival. Announced via Alalshikh's official X account, the festival promises to be 'the biggest comedy festival in the world,' with over 50 performers from diverse backgrounds taking the stage in Boulevard City over two weeks. Among the headline acts are internationally renowned comedians such as Kevin Hart, Sebastian Maniscalco , and Russell Peters—the Canadian-Indian comedian famed for his multicultural material and worldwide fanbase. Hollywood icon Chris Tucker, celebrated for the Rush Hour franchise, and Aziz Ansari, Emmy winner and co-creator of Master of None , will also be featured. The festival further boasts Pete Davidson, known for Saturday Night Live and Peacock's Bupkis , as well as Tom Segura , whose Netflix special Bad Thoughts earned an Emmy nomination. Other notable names include podcast hosts Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee ( Bad Friends ), Emmy-nominated writer Nimesh Patel, Amazon Prime standout Sam Morril ( You've Changed ), and British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili. Additional performers confirmed so far include Chris Distefano, Mark Normand, Hannibal Buress, six-time Emmy and three-time Grammy winner Louis C.K., and Australian favorite Jimeoin. The lineup continues with Andrew Schulz, Bill Burr, Jessica Kirson, Jimmy Carr, Jo Koy, Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias, Maz Jobrani, Whitney Cummings, and Zarna Garg. These comedians represent a wide spectrum of comedic styles, from sharp political satire and deadpan delivery to high-energy storytelling and cultural commentary, ensuring that the festival appeals to a truly global audience. Boulevard City Transformed Into a Global Comedy Hub The entire event will unfold at Boulevard City, Riyadh's sprawling, high-tech entertainment district located in the Hittin area along Prince Turki Al-Awwal Road. Spanning over 220 acres, the venue is divided into themed zones, including open-air plazas, theaters, music stages, and the iconic Times Square-inspired 'Square' with towering digital screens. Known for hosting everything from concerts and sports tournaments to immersive exhibitions, Boulevard City offers a full-scale entertainment experience with more than 100 restaurants and cafés, retail outlets, VR arcades, and live performance areas. Its flagship Mohammed Abdo Arena seats up to 22,000 people, making it a centerpiece for large-scale events. For the festival's two-week run, the district will come alive with comedy stages, vibrant lighting, food trucks, and a buzzing crowd atmosphere. The venue can accommodate up to 60,000 visitors at a time, with past Riyadh Season events seeing peaks of 200,000 visitors daily. Tickets for the Riyadh Comedy Festival will go live in three days,1st August, on with high demand expected across all tiers. The festival will run from September 26 to October 9. This event is designed to be more than just a series of stand-up shows, organisers have confirmed daily programming including live stand-up, talk shows, comedy workshops, and interactive sessions that cater to audiences of all ages, creating an immersive festival experience. A Platform for Global Icons and Rising Regional Talent While global headliners are a major draw, the Riyadh Comedy Festival also plays a pivotal role in advancing Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape. It serves as a platform for regional performers and emerging Arab comedians, giving them rare international exposure. By sharing the stage with global icons, GCC-based talents in stand-up, digital media, and performance gain visibility and recognition, potentially marking major turning points in their careers. Chairman Turki Alalshikh has also hinted at upcoming programming featuring Gulf and Syrian theatre, regional music, and dedicated productions, reinforcing the festival's dual mission: bringing the world's best comedy to Riyadh, while projecting local talent to global audiences. Anchored in Vision 2030: A Cultural and Economic Milestone The Riyadh Comedy Festival is not a standalone event. it's a landmark chapter in Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's national roadmap for economic transformation through cultural diversification. By anchoring the comedy festival within Riyadh Season 2025, the Kingdom underscores its intention to become a top global destination for live entertainment, arts, and tourism. Saudi Arabia has already made significant strides, hosting international sporting events, K-pop supergroups, and Michelin-starred culinary showcases. Now, it turns the spotlight on comedy, an art form that bridges languages, generations, and cultures. The festival is expected to draw thousands of domestic and international visitors, boosting footfall in hotels, restaurants, and retail zones, while also offering invaluable exposure for Saudi Arabia's growing creative sector. With more performer announcements expected in the weeks ahead, the Riyadh Comedy Festival is poised to become one of the most culturally impactful, economically beneficial, and globally visible entertainment events the Kingdom has ever hosted.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Chris Tucker, Pete Davidson and Aziz Ansari among stars set for Riyadh Comedy Festival
RIYADH — The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has confirmed a new wave of global comedy stars for the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival, set to be the world's largest comedy gathering with more than 50 performers taking the stage in Boulevard City from September 26 to October 9. Announced by GEA Chairman Turki Alalshikh, the latest additions to the lineup include Hollywood icon Chris Tucker, best known for the Rush Hour franchise, and Emmy winner Aziz Ansari, co-creator and star of Master of None and the upcoming film Good Fortune. Also confirmed is Pete Davidson, Saturday Night Live alumnus and creator of Peacock's Bupkis, along with stand-up powerhouse Tom Segura, whose latest show Bad Thoughts earned an Emmy nomination. Joining them are Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee, co-hosts of the hit podcast Bad Friends; Emmy-nominated writer Nimesh Patel; Amazon Prime comedy standout Sam Morril (You've Changed); and globally recognized British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili. Other big names appearing at the two-week festival include TV and podcast personality Chris Distefano, Netflix regular Mark Normand, stand-up veteran Hannibal Buress, six-time Emmy and three-time Grammy winner Louis C.K., and Australian favorite Jimeoin. — SG
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia To Host World's Largest Comedy Festival In Riyadh
Saudi Arabia is gearing up to host the world's largest comedy festival as part of its rapidly expanding entertainment portfolio, with some of the biggest names in global stand-up comedy set to take the stage in Riyadh this autumn. In a statement posted on his official X account, Turki Al Al Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced the launch of the first Riyadh Comedy Festival, scheduled to run from September 26 to October 9, 2025. 'The king of comedy lands in Riyadh… Kevin Hart is ready to bring the house down at the largest comedy festival in the world,' Al Al Sheikh wrote, alongside a promotional video highlighting the festival's ambitious scale and international appeal. أسطورة الكوميديا جايكم الرياض.. كيفن هارت في #مهرجان_الرياض_للكوميديا أكبر مهرجان للكوميديا في العالم 🔥😎بوليفارد سيتي 📍26 سبتمبر – 9 أكتوبر 🗓️The king of comedy lands in Riyadh …Kevin Hart is ready to bring the house down at the Largest Comedy festival in the world 😎🔥… — TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) July 23, 2025 Among the first headliners confirmed for the event are Kevin Hart, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Russell Peters — the latter a Canadian comedian of Indian descent, widely recognised for his multicultural material and global fanbase. Set to take place in Boulevard City, the Riyadh Comedy Festival will bring together over 50 leading comedians from around the world for an electrifying celebration of comedy in all its forms. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Riyadh Comedy Festival will feature a packed daily lineup of entertainment, including live stand-up shows, talk shows, comedy workshops, and interactive sessions tailored for audiences of all ages. The festival is a central part of Riyadh Season 2025, the Kingdom's flagship cultural and entertainment initiative designed to diversify the economy and boost tourism as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. In a separate post last Wednesday, Al Al Sheikh hinted at further major announcements for the upcoming season, including a focus on Gulf and Syrian content, with plans for theatrical productions and concerts celebrating regional talent.
