Judd Apatow, Bill Maher, Tracy Morgan & JB Smoove Among New York Comedy Festival Headliners

The 20th anniversary New York Comedy Festival this November will feature more than 200 comedians in more than 100 shows throughout the city, with a roster of headliners including Judd Apatow, Dave Attell, Bill Maher, Tracy Morgan, JB Smoove and Jaboukie Young-White, among others.

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With performances at venues throughout the city’s five boroughs, the festival runs from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 17. Other headliners include Jeff Arcuri, Zarna Garg, How Did This Get Made?, Gabriel Iglesias, I’ve Had It, Joe List, Matt McCusker, Nurse John, Ms. Pat, Adam Ray is Dr. Phil, The Rest Is History, Justin Silva, Dan Soder and Jimmy O. Yang.

The New York Comedy Festival is the largest and longest-running annual comedy festival in the United States. Launched in 2004, the event was founded by Caroline Hirsch and produced by Carolines, with the inaugural festival featuring a dozen stand-up shows over five days. Today, the NYCF has expanded its reach and impact, producing more than one hundred shows annually over a ten-day span. The festival brings together over 200 of the top comedians from across the country and around the world to perform at some of the city’s most prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Beacon Theatre, Town Hall, and Kings Theatre.

Beyond stand-up, the festival offers an eclectic mix of sketch and improv performances, panel discussions, intimate conversations with comedy legends, talent competitions, star-studded fundraising galas, film screenings, live podcast tapings, interactive partner activations, and more.

“As we mark our 20th anniversary, said fest founder and owner Hirsch, “we continue to bring together the greatest talent from across the country and throughout the world and create new opportunities for audiences to experience the best in comedy. From up-and-comers to A-List stars, our diverse talent lineup brings laughter to a wide-range of comedy fans at venues across all five boroughs of New York City, with even more shows to be announced soon. At a time when we need laughter more than ever, we are thrilled to ‘make New York Laugh’ once again.”

Said Apatow, “This November is the fortieth anniversary of my start in comedy. I’m so excited to share it with hometown friends, everyone at The New York Comedy Festival and the Beacon Theatre.”

In addition to the 2024 headliners, the festival will announce additional details for major events in the coming months that have become staples during the Festival including Stand Up for Heroes, New York’s Funniest Stand-Up Competition, Comics to Watch, and opportunities to experience live podcast recordings, panel discussions and much more.

Below is the 2024 festival schedule, subject to additions and changes:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

· 7 PM – Jeff Arcuri: The Full Beans Fall Tour at Beacon Theatre

· 7 PM – Ms. Pat: The Hot & Flashy Tour at Town Hall

· 9:45 PM – Dan Soder at Town Hall

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

· 7 PM – Joe List at Town Hall

· 7 PM – Jimmy O. Yang at Carnegie Hall

· 8:00 PM – Judd Apatow & Friends at Beacon Theatre

· 9:45 PM – Justin Silva at Town Hall

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10

· 7 PM – Nurse John at Town Hall

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

· 7 PM – The Rest is History Live at Town Hall

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14

· 7 PM – JB Smoove at Town Hall

· 7 PM – Jaboukie Young-White at Hard Rock Hotel New York

· 9:45 PM – Dave Attell at Town Hall

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15

· 7 PM – Tracy Morgan at Town Hall

· 7 PM & 9:45 PM – Jaboukie Young-White at Hard Rock Hotel New York

· 8 PM – Gabriel Iglesias: Don’t Worry Be Fluffy Tour at Kings Theatre

· 8 PM – Adam Ray is Dr. Phil LIVE at Beacon Theatre

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

· 3 PM – I’ve Had It Podcast presents The People Suck Tour at Town Hall

· 7 PM – Matt McCusker at Town Hall

· 7 PM & 9:45 PM – Jaboukie Young-White

· 7 PM – Bill Maher: The WTF? Tour at Beacon Theatre

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

· 7PM – Zarna Garg: Practical People Win at Town Hall

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