New York Comedy Festival Features 200 Comics, Strangers With Candy Reunion

The 2025 New York Comedy Festival, running from November 7 to 16 across all five boroughs, will feature over 200 comedians performing more than 100 shows at iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, and Town Hall. Headliners include established names like Margaret Cho, Pete Holmes, Louis C.K., and the reunion of the cult comedy trio from Strangers With Candy—Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, and Paul Dinello—celebrating the 25th anniversary of the show's cancellation. Louis C.K., who has quietly rebuilt his career post-2017 misconduct allegations, will perform his show Ridiculous, continuing his presence in major comedy events. The festival also highlights rising voices from the podcast world, notably The Basement Yard duo Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez, marking their first headline slot at the festival. Founded by Caroline Hirsch in 2004, the festival aims to blend global headliners with fresh talent, reflecting current comedy trends and supporting initiatives like the Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser benefiting veterans. Ticket sales began July 21, with more programming details to be announced.