Riyadh is set to welcome more than 50 international comedians this September as the Saudi capital prepares to host the first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival. The two-week event, which will take place at Boulevard City from September 26 to October 9, has been described as one of the largest comedy gatherings ever staged in the region.
Announced by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), the festival will feature a mix of stand-up, satire, sketch, and improvisational comedy. It aims to spotlight the growing role of live performance in Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector and its ambition to become a destination for global cultural events.
Top Comedians From Across the World Coming to Saudi
Among the confirmed headliners are American actor and comedian Chris Tucker, known for the Rush Hour film series, Emmy Award winner Aziz Ansari, best known for Master of None, and comedian Pete Davidson, who rose to prominence on Saturday Night Live.
The lineup also includes Tom Segura, whose Netflix specials Ball Hog and Bad Thoughts have earned wide recognition; podcast duo Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee of Bad Friends; and Nimesh Patel, a former writer for Saturday Night Live and The Oscars.
British-Iranian actor and comedian Omid Djalili, who has performed globally for decades, will also take the stage, alongside other international performers such as Sam Morril, known for You’ve Changed on Amazon Prime; Chris Distefano, whose latest special is It’s Just Fortunate; and Mark Normand, the comedian behind Soup To Nuts on Netflix.
Veteran performers such as Hannibal Buress, Louis C.K., and Australian comedian Jimeoin are also confirmed. Louis C.K., a six-time Emmy and three-time Grammy winner, is one of the most established names on the lineup.
The General Entertainment Authority has also confirmed appearances by other well-known names, including Andrew Schulz, Bill Burr, Gabriel Iglesias (known by fans as “Fluffy”), Jessica Kirson, Jimmy Carr, Jo Koy, Kevin Hart, Maz Jobrani, Russell Peters, Sebastian Maniscalco, Whitney Cummings, and Zarna Garg.
While these names represent the first wave of confirmed performers, GEA has indicated that additional announcements are expected in the lead-up to the festival.
The event is part of a broader effort by Saudi Arabia to diversify its entertainment offerings and attract international talent. The Riyadh Comedy Festival aims to bring together performers and audiences from different cultures, offering a platform for both established acts and rising stars in the comedy world.
The inclusion of a wide range of comedic styles is expected to appeal to varied audiences, from fans of observational and political humor to those drawn to character-based and improv comedy. The venue, Boulevard City, has previously hosted other large-scale events, and is expected to accommodate thousands of attendees over the course of the festival.
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