Glasgow International Comedy Festival (GICF) has announced the first wave of acts on its bill for 2025, including appearances from Connor Burns, Joe Kent-Walters, Jimeoin and more. Running from Wednesday 12–Sunday 30 March, more than 175 shows have already been confirmed and tickets are on sale now. 

Top of the bill is Books And Banter, which teams up crime writer Val McDermid and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for a light-hearted chat about the books they love and the literature that’s helped make them who they are. 

McDermid and Sturgeon said, ‘Our love of books is what first drew us together and it remains the mainstay of that friendship. And now we want to share the love. At the Glasgow International Comedy Festival where we’ll be joined by two top names from the comedy world. We’ll be interrogating our guests about the books that shaped them and why they love reading. Revelations galore await as we explore the love and laughter between the covers.’

Also in the big hitters category will be a live recording of the Here Comes The Guillotine podcast, featuring comics Frankie Boyle, Susie McCabe and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd as they set the world to rights and fly off on a wellspring of hilarious tangents onstage at the SEC Armadillo. 

McCabe will also perform solo with her brand-new show Best Behaviour, while stars like Kathleen Hughes, Jamali Maddix, Darren Connell and Catherine Bohart will also appear. 

Festival Director Krista MacDonald said, ‘Following 2024’s record-breaking year, Glasgow International Comedy Festival is set to once again host comedy’s biggest and best, alongside the industry’s rising stars, for a jam-packed 19 days of wall-to-wall comedy featuring stand-up, live podcasts, family shows, improv and more. 

‘We’re looking forward to celebrating Glasgow as the funniest city in the world, as hundreds of comedians and performers set out to entertain audiences in venues all across the city. If you’ve always wanted to perform at GICF then now is the time - don’t miss out!’

A full festival launch is planned for early January. 

Glasgow International Comedy Festival, various venues, Wednesday 12 – Sunday 30 March.