Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The Riyadh Comedy Festival 2025 is set to unfold from September 26 to October 9 across Boulevard City and key event venues in Riyadh, as more than 50 international comedians prepare to deliver two weeks of stand-up, sketch, and improv.
The fully confirmed roster reads like a who’s who of modern comedy. Headliners will include Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Aziz Ansari, Pete Davidson, Russell Peters, Whitney Cummings, Tom Segura, Jack Whitehall, and Louis C.K., backed by a deep supporting cast featuring Andrew Schulz, Gabriel Iglesias, Chris Tucker, Sam Morril, Mark Normand, Jimeoin, Omid Djalili, Zarna Garg, Maz Jobrani, and more.
The festival is taking place at multiple venues within the Boulevard City entertainment hub, including Mohammed Al-Ali Theatre, BAKR Al-Sheddi Theatre, the SEF Arena, and ANB Arena—each selected to host concerts and comedy nights tailored to various show sizes and formats.
Lineup Highlights & Schedule Snapshots
Early nights are stacked: the opening evening (Sept. 26) features Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, and the duo Bad Friends (Andrew Santino & Bobby Lee). The following evening (Sept. 27) brings a show with Dave Chappelle, Chris Distefano, and Maz Jobrani. On Sept. 28, audiences can catch Aziz Ansari, Kevin Hart, and Nimesh Patel, while Oct. 2 hosts Zarna Garg, Russell Peters, Chris Tucker, and Jeff Ross & Friends. Oct. 3 sees Pete Davidson and Mark Normand, Oct. 6 features Jimmy Carr and Louis C.K., and the festival closes Oct. 9 with Hannibal Buress, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Andrew Schulz.
أفضل 50 ستاند اب كوميدي بالعالم جايين مهرجان الرياض للكوميديا من الفترة 26 سبتمبر إلى 10 أكتوبر 🔥😎
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) May 16, 2025
The best 50 stand-up comedians in the world are coming to the Riyadh Comedy Festival from September 26 to October 10 🔥😎 pic.twitter.com/2rVCaxbE10
Strategic Ambition, But Not Without Criticism
The Riyadh Comedy Festival is a flagship event within Riyadh Season 2025, part of Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural and entertainment push under its Vision 2030 initiative. Organizers intend the festival to position Riyadh on the global comedy and arts stage.
Yet that ambition has provoked scrutiny. Human Rights Watch has criticized the festival as an act of “whitewashing” Saudi human rights abuses, noting the timing coincides closely with the anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Some comedians—including Tim Dillon, who claimed he was paid US$375,000 to perform—have publicly addressed the tension between accepting lucrative contracts and raising ethical concerns. Dillon later said he was dropped from the roster after making remarks about Saudi policy. Other performers—such as Marc Maron—have condemned their peers’ participation, questioning the balance between commercial opportunity and complicity.
Respondents in the comedy press have noted that many contracts reportedly prohibit material that “defames” the kingdom, its leadership, legal system, or religion. A CBS News report confirmed the event’s dates and referenced publicists for top names like Hart, Burr, Chappelle, and Louis C.K. but noted that no comments were forthcoming on how the festival’s constraints would affect creative freedom.
Comedy’s Role in a Changing Landscape
While critics caution against an overly celebratory narrative, many industry watchers view this festival as a turning point for the Middle East’s cultural landscape. Saudi officials have hinted that the comedic performances may pave the way for new expressions of entertainment, though within tightly managed boundaries.
For fans and industry insiders alike, the festival represents a rare convergence: a global showcase of comedic talent, held in a market that until recently was largely absent from the international entertainment circuit. Whether it becomes a catalyst for greater openness—or a marquee example of controlled spectacle—will depend critically on how performers navigate the line between laughter and responsibility in Riyadh’s desert spotlight.
