To those who say that the comedy section of the Fringe programme is getting too sizeable for its big banana boots, there's not much anyone can say by means of a comeback. The usual gathering of Fringe favourites and lesser-known lights (for now) can be found everywhere in August and below is a list of those who are already getting us enthused.

Ahir Shah
At long last, Shah received recognition last year from those harsh judges with a spot on the Edinburgh Comedy Award shortlist and no doubt returns with another erudite and gag-packed hour.
Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 2–26 Aug

Alex Edelman
Already an acclaimed show at Melbourne, the Bostonian's third Fringe hour discusses facing up to the worst parts of humanity.
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–26 Aug

Alfie Brown
The man who was once stand-up's future is ready to bite the bullet in the here and now.
Monkey Barrel, 2–26 Aug

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd
Scotland's great west coast hope is set to deliver further goods after an exciting year.
Gilded Balloon, 1–26 Aug

Ahir Shah: Duffer / credit: The Other Richard
Douglas Walker
The Racing Minds guy can't stop doing innovative and intriguing solo shows and this festive-themed one should be another prime example.
Underbelly Med Quad, 1–26 Aug

Dylan Moran
The Edinburgh-based Irish stand-up is dotting around the capital with his Dr Cosmos show as he attempts to bring reason and sanity to bear on this ludicrous world.
Various venues, 14–26 Aug

Flo & Joan
Musical comedy hasn't been in such safe hands for years, even if the bank-ad haters think differently …
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–26 Aug

Fringe Wives Club
Operating at the point where glamour meets activism, the FWC trio will be owning their sexuality and blasting out the tunes.
Assembly Roxy, 1–26 Aug

Flo & Joan: Alive on Stage
Jamali Maddix
Reputedly more relaxed than he's ever been as the bright lights of Edinburgh approach, the Love Thy Neighbour guy will muse on his recent experiences out in 'the field'.
Monkey Barrel, 2–26 Aug

Jayde Adams
Focussing on being fabulous but without losing that crucial edge, the Divine Ms Jayde is set for a storming year.
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–27 Aug

Janeane Garofalo
Hands up who thinks Janeane will mention the boy Trump? That's probably all of you, then.
Gilded Balloon, 1–19 Aug

Jessie Cave
Honesty is the best policy for this lo-fi comic queen who was once Lavender Brown in the later Harry Potter movies.
The Stand IV, 1–26 Aug

Jayde Adams: The Divine Ms Jayde
Laura Davis
A promising Australian with a panache for the unusual, Davis will be performing as a kind-of ghost this Fringe.
Underbelly, 2–26 Aug

Lazy Susan
One of the top double acts in the biz, Celeste and Freya will surprise no one should they pull off another top-notch sketchy affair.
Assembly George Square, 1–27 Aug

Lost Voice Guy
After his victorious journey through Britain's Got Talent, the Geordie lad with the tablet is set for further widespread recognition.
Gilded Balloon, 1–26 Aug

Luisa Omielan
After a devastating experience on the NHS with her mother, Omielan decided it was time to get more overtly political with her comedy. This is the result.
Gilded Balloon, 2–26 Aug

Lost Voice Guy: Inspiration Porn / credit: Steve Ullathorne
Natalie Palamides
She stormed the Fringe last year with Laid and the Best Newcomer is back by morphing into a dodgy bloke.
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–26 Aug

Nina Conti
It's usually very scary when a ventriloquist dummy takes over its master. But here, Conti will make it proper funny.
Underbelly Med Quad, 1–27 Aug

Nish Kumar
Firebrand comedian one minute, manipulator of silly voices the next, you know by now that Nish has it all.
Monkey Barrel, 2–26 Aug

Pelican
After a successful 2017, these sketch narrative guys hope to follow up their excellent Cat Man Curse with aplomb.
Bedlam Theatre, 1–27 Aug

Natalie Palamides: Nate / credit: Nick Rasmussen
Pete Firman
Everyone loves a little bit of magic. The Teessider's conjuring shtick is something rather more ambitious.
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–26 Aug

Reginald D Hunter
Returning to those 'N'-word titles will bug plenty folk. But Reg D is in no mood for compromise as he celebrates 20 years on the Fringe.
Pleasance @ EICC, 1–26 Aug

Rob Kemp
The outstanding late-night cult comedy hit from 2017, Kemp brings his Elvis/Evil Dead mash-up to a wider crowd. Plenty will be going back for a repeat visit.
Pleasance Courtyard, 1–26 Aug

Rory Bremner & Jan Ravens
Two of the most distinguished mimics in the British satire game go head to head with a volley of political and cultural targets waiting to be punctured.
Underbelly George Square, 13–19 Aug

Rob Kemp: The Elvis Dead / credit: Roger Jones
Sara Barron
This acclaimed live storytelling act is finally taking the plunge into the Fringe depths. Are we ready for a bit of Barron?
Just the Tonic at The Tron, 2–26 Aug

Sean McLoughlin
Could this be the year that the manic comic delivers on his early promise? For the sake of modern stand-up, we can only hope so.
Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 2–26 Aug

Tim Key
We've all had an awful date somewhere down the line, right? But the ex-Cowards guy manages to make his one fiercely funny and oddly emotional.
Pleasance Courtyard, 16–26 Aug

Tony Slattery
The beloved former member of the Whose Line TV team takes another dip back into the Fringe's waters with this improv affair.
The Stand, 20–26 Aug