The Sydney Comedy Festival is underway, celebrating its 20th birthday with more than 350 funny folks from all over hopping on stages across the city. Since its inception, the Sydney Comedy Festival has showcased over 2,000 artists and 10,000 performances across Sydney’s most iconic venues. The festival has become a breeding ground for local and international talent, nurturing emerging comedians and amplifying diverse voices.
Festival director Jorge Menidis said that this 20th year is “bigger and broader in more venues and parts of Sydney than ever before.” “Whilst it may seem amazing that they have let us get away with our tomfoolery for as long as they have, we are back with our 20th festival full of fearless fun and frivolity,” Jorge says. “The festival can be described as many things, but I like to see it as a convention of those very special storytellers gathered from all corners of the world, that allows us to marvel in their retelling of our shared life experience. “It is a live kaleidoscope of stories as seen through the eyes and told through the stagecraft of those special ones that dissect and amplify the cracks and quirks of our daily lives.” The Sydney Comedy Festival runs until May 18, 2025.
Tickets are on sale now. Check out some of the highlights of this year’s festival below: Comedy Gala on the Green This weekend, the Sydney Comedy Festival is hosting a free entry outdoor gala at Tumbalong Park on Darling Harbour with a dazzling lineup of the funniest international stars and Australian legends. Jimmy Rees is joined by Sara Pascoe (UK), Drew Lynch (US), Dave Hughes, Aunty Donna, Nick Cody and heaps more.
Bring your picnic blanket, grab drink from our pop-up bar, and enjoy the world’s best comedy as the sun sets over the harbour, with a closing concert and fireworks. Lily Starr – Big Lez is Back Prepare yourself for a night of laughter with Lily Starr otherwise known affectionately as Big Lez. A 30-something-year-old lesbian who worships Beyonce and is a little bit in love with Julia Roberts.
Lily has been through a whirlwind of challenges over the past few years. A diagnosis of epilepsy, a brain surgery, a breakup and the loss of her beloved father, Lily proves that humour is the most powerful ally. By day, Lily is a high school teacher shaping the minds of the yout,h and by night she is making audiences laugh with her sharp wit.
Join Lily Starr, or ‘Big Lez,’ as she delves into the highs and lows of her remarkable life, shedding light on her career as a teacher and her knack for discovering humour in the most unexpected places. Rhys Nicholson – Huge Party Big Congratulations You know them and love them from their TV gigs on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under and Taskmaster AU. The brand-new, hour-long, stand-up comedy concert from your ol’ pal Rhys Nicholson is at the Sydney Comedy Festival for the first time.
Rhys, who won Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, is bringing their critically acclaimed hour to Penrith for the very first time. Bob Downe – Choose Bob! 40 Ridiculous Years Aussie comedy icon Bob Downe has been making us laugh and sing along for 40 ridiculous years.
The Prince of Polyester will celebrate four fabulous decades of laughs and legendary tunes in a brand new show at the Enmore Theatre. Bob has picked a bunch of classic hits with an unnaturally big-haired, shoulder-padded, ‘80s feel, ranging from power ballads to bangers. The crowd will walk in humming the tunes!
The Mean Gays Viral comedy duo, Aaron and Jake broke out at the end of 2023. Their range of comedic characters has amassed them over 3 million followers, and exceeding 200 million views across TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. The Mean Gays: Live has sold out major U.S. cities like Chicago, New York, and Atlanta, and now they’re bringing their incredible sketch comedy down under!
Fountain Lakes In Lockdown Calling all spunk rats, horn bags and foxy morons! Crack open the Tia Maria and put on some footy franks because Fountain Lakes is coming to Sydney! What did Australia’s foxiest morons Kath and Kim get up to during the pandemic?
Relive the uniquely Australian pandemic experience through the eyes of the uniquely Australian ensemble of characters hilariously parodied by Art Simone, Thomas Jaspers, Leasa Mann and Scott Brennan. Fountain Lakes in Lockdown is back in Sydney with quick wit and camp tunes after a sold-out 2024 Sydney Fringe season. The Sydney Comedy Festival runs until May 18, 2025.
Tickets are on sale now. For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagra m and YouTube.
