Glasgow sets stage to be ‘world’s funniest city’ with comedy festival line-up
Stars including Russell Kane, Jenny Eclair, Tom Segura and Andy Zaltzman will perform during the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
Glasgow is set to become the “funniest city in the world” once again, with Russell Kane, Jenny Eclair and Tom Segura among the talent set to light up the city’s comedy festival in March.
The full line-up for the 2025 Glasgow International Comedy Festival (GICF) has now been unveiled, and it includes more than 550 shows over 19 days in venues in “every corner” of the city.
Described by the organisers as their “biggest ever event”, the festival from March 12-30 will feature every genre of comedy, from traditional stand-up, live podcasts and clowning to improv, theatre, children’s shows and musicals.
As well as leading UK and global comic stars like Andy Zaltzman, Richard Herring, Jamali Maddix and Felicity Ward, the festival features a “roster of hometown heroes”, including Susie McCabe, Fern Brady and Paul Black.
The line-up also includes a host of rising Scottish stars, including Kim Blythe, Connor Burns and Alana Jackson.
Festival director Krista MacDonald said the organisers are “thrilled” the 2025 event will be the biggest ever, describing it as a “real milestone year for the festival as we go into our third year of rebuilding post-pandemic”.
She continued: “We’ll be showcasing some of the very best comedians from around the world, the UK, and, of course, lots of stellar homegrown Scottish acts.
“Comedy plays a vital role in Glasgow’s cultural identity and our city’s comedy scene regularly produces acts who go on to impress on a worldwide stage.
“From our unique legacy of comedy performers to the top touring acts of today and through to the next generation of breakthrough talent, Glasgow is the starting point for countless acts and we can’t wait to celebrate that this spring.
“GICF truly has all styles of comedy on display – traditional stand-up, clowning, musical comedy, theatre, live podcasts and family comedy shows – making sure there is genuinely something for everyone.”
Highlights include the first hometown live show of hit podcast Here Comes The Guillotine, hosted by Glasgow comics Frankie Boyle, Susie McCabe and Christopher MacArthur-Boyd, and The Office Australia star Felicity Ward returning for her first national tour in six years.
Crime writer Val McDermid and former first minister Nicolas Sturgeon will banter about their best and worst reads in their show Books And Banter, and TikTok star Paul Black returns with new sketch show All Sorts.
Comedy band The Horne Section will take a break from their Channel 4 show to entertain Glasgow audiences, and Old Firm Facts Live will be celebrating all things surreal, beautiful and hilarious in Scottish football.
Black said he is “very excited” to showcase his new set, adding: “Headlining the festival in 2023 at The King’s was a dream and I’m very happy to be back with something totally different.”
Irish comedian Catherine Bohart said: “I can’t wait to be back in Glasgow to do my show again, I’ve always loved performing there.
“Glaswegian audiences are raucous, and I feel like the Scottish and Irish share a sense of humour and are up for a good time.”
The festival also includes the return of the Introduction To Comedy course for women and marginalised genders.
The free six-week workshop is taught by comedian Viv Gee, and is designed to encourage more people from these underrepresented groups to pursue comedy.
With such a packed line-up, Ms MacDonald said the festival is an opportunity for audiences to “take a chance” on someone new.
“The festival encompasses every corner of the city, from iconic comedy clubs in the west end to some of Scotland’s most famous venues including the OVO Hydro, SEC Armadillo and the legendary Barrowland Ballroom,” she said.
“We’d encourage you to take a chance on somebody new, as well as some of your old favourites, and join us as we celebrate Glasgow as the funniest city in the world once more.”
Bailie Annette Christie, chairwoman of Glasgow Life, the festival’s main funder, described the event as “an eagerly anticipated highlight in our city’s packed cultural calendar”.
She added: “Renowned for our warm welcome and legendary sense of humour, this remarkable festival places Glasgow firmly on the global comedy stage.”
Festival tickets are on sale at www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com.
