The 2025 Nashville Comedy Festival is making its highly anticipated return to the city’s most iconic venues April 3 to 13.
Anticipate a diverse lineup of comedy heavy-hitters, live podcasts, and can’t-miss, one-of-a-kind shows.
“This year’s lineup is stacked with the biggest names in comedy and pop culture: Tony Hinchcliffe’s Kill Tony live, Nikki Glaser, Mark Normand, Jim Jefferies, Adam Ray as Dr. Phil, Wanda Sykes, Handsome live with Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, & Mae Martin, Kid Rock’s Comedy Jam, Rodney Carrington, and so much more,” says Mike Smardak, Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Outback Presents, the leading independent, full-service promoter of live entertainment in North America.
Eleven days in its eleventh year, fans get the opportunity to laugh for the longest run in Nashville Comedy Festival history. Venues include Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, Zanies and The Lab, and the newest venue in town, The Pinnacle. With venues of all sizes, this allows the festival to attract and grow talent from all genres and niches.
“Comedy is a ubiquitous art form — it’s non-discriminatory; everyone loves laughter,” says Smardak. “We’ve maintained our focus on providing content for a broad spectrum of attendees; it’s important to give everyone an opportunity to share their voice and reach their audience as part of the festival community. Nashville is such a melting pot of different communities and to program something for just about anyone and everyone is vital to the sustained growth that we have experienced over the years.”
Nashville Comedy Festival could not be prouder of this year’s lineup and success over the past decade.
“Nashville Comedy Festival is the premier comedy festival in the country. The city is home to so many unique opportunities, sometimes you have to take a step back and appreciate the impact of this event,” Smardak says. “To grow a city-wide festival that has lasted over a decade and is only gaining momentum is such an immense achievement. You never know who you’re going to discover next — Nate Bargatze first played the festival in 2015 at Zanies and in 2023 he broke the all- time attendance record at Bridgestone Arena with 19,365 people. In a similar vein, Tony Hinchcliffe brought Kill Tony to Zanies in 2016 and this year he’s headlining 2 nights at Bridgestone. We are proud to do our part and also witness such monumental success stories.”
The festival reflects the continued growth and influence of comedy in Nashville. With an unbeatable lineup, a variety of shows, and favorite venues, this year’s festival sets a new benchmark for comedy festivals. It's more than an event — it’s a testament to the enduring power of humor to bring people together, inspire, and entertain. Whether you're coming for a night of laughs or to witness the next big comedy breakthrough, this festival proves that Nashville is where comedy and culture collide in unforgettable ways.