Glasgow International Comedy Festival (GICF) has announced the programme for its 2025 edition, featuring more than 550 shows in its biggest festival yet. Taking place from Wednesday 12–Sunday 30 March, tickets are on sale now. 

Added to the bill are Russell Kane, Jenny Eclair, Andy Zaltzman, Kate Butch, Jamali Maddix, Ania Magliano, Richard Herring, Matt Forde and more. International comedians Tom Segura, Catherine Bohart, Jimeoin, and Felicity Ward will also appear, alongside a roster of hometown heroes like Susie McCabe, Fern Brady, Old Firm Facts Live, Paul Black, Marjolein Robertson, Rosco McClelland, Darren Connell and Larry Dean. Plus, expect shows from a host of rising Scottish stars including Kim Blythe, Connor Burns and Alana Jackson.

Major acts performing at GICF include include live shows of Here Comes The Guillotine, the hit podcast from Frankie Boyle, Susie McCabe and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd; Jenny Eclair's latest autobiographical show; an appearance from comedy band The Horne Section; and a book-themed meet-up between crime writer Val McDermid and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

This year will also see the return of GICF’s Introduction To Comedy, a course for women and marginalised genders with a six week free workshop taught by acclaimed comedian Viv Gee at The Social Hub. Comedy fans can also see the course’s class of 2024 perform at a special reunion show First Time Funnies, while 2025’s course will culminate in a live performance at GICF’s new community partner venue The Social Hub.  The Comedy Connects programme will also have a youth focus, aiming to make comedy more accessible for all. 

The Sir Billy Connolly Spirit Of Scotland Award will make a return at the festival’s Closing Gala on Sunday 30 March. Chosen by the Big Yin himself, past winners include Susie McCabe and Janey Godley. 

Festival Director Krista MacDonald said, ’We're thrilled to reveal Glasgow International Comedy Festival's 2025 programme with over 550 shows, meaning this will be our biggest ever event and a real milestone year for the Festival as we go into our third year of rebuilding post-pandemic. 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. We’re also thrilled to be expanding our Comedy Connects programme with our new Community Partner, The Social Hub, with the aim of making comedy more accessible for all including running our Introduction to Comedy course for women and marginalised genders for the second year.

‘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. 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.’

Glasgow International Comedy Festival, various venues, Wednesday 12–Sunday 30 March. Tickets are on sale now.