Glasgow International Comedy Festival announces biggest programme for 2025
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has unveiled the line up for the 2025 festival, which will be its biggest ever event, with over 550 shows taking place in venues across the city!
Article Source: Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Last Updated: 8 January 2025 12:53
Image Credit: Elaine Livingstone
Glasgow International Comedy Festival will take over the city for 19 days of wall-to-wall comedy between 12th and 30th March, welcoming international comedians from America and Australia, as well as some of the UK’s top touring comics and an abundance of rising and established Scottish talent in venues from The OVO Hydro, Barrowland Ballroom, Oran Mor, The Stand, BAAD, Blackfriars, Strathduie Bar and many more. The 2025 edition of GICF runs as part of Glasgow’s 850 celebrations in 2025.
Plus, GICF has unveiled this year’s ‘Comedy Connects’ will have a youth focus with programming and development geared to the next generation of performers and audiences. The ‘Comedy Connects’ strand uses any festival profits to fund initiatives and projects with the aim of making comedy more accessible to all.
This also includes the return of GICF’s ‘Introduction to Comedy’ course for women and marginalised genders with a 6 week free workshop taught by acclaimed comedian Viv Gee at The Social Hub, aiming to encourage more women and people of marginalised genders to pursue comedy. Comedy fans can also see the course’s class of 2024 perform at a special reunion show ‘First Time Funnies’, with 2025’s course culminating in a live performance at GICF’s new community partner venue The Social Hub.
Today’s official programme launch sees a host of shows added to the bill, from traditional stand-up to live podcasts, family comedy shows and more; UK comics 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, and a roster of hometown heroes from Susie McCabe, Fern Brady, Old Firm Facts Live, Paul Black, Marjolein Robertson, Rosco McClelland, Darren Connell, Larry Dean, Plus, a host of rising Scottish stars who are set to make waves on the comedy scene including Kim Blythe, Connor Burns and Alana Jackson.
Catherine Bohart said: “I can’t wait to be back in Glasgow to do my show again, I’ve always loved performing there. Glaswegian audiences are raucous, and I feel like the Scottish and Irish share a sense of humour and are up for a good time!”
Craig Hill said: “Oran Mor is one of those fantastic venues that’s great for comedy, and Glasgow International Comedy Festival has an absolute riot of an audience, so this is one I really, really look forward to! Cannae wait to put the mad March hare intae mid March!”
Paul Black said: “I’m very excited to bring my new show All Sorts to GICF. Headlining the Festival in 2023 at The King’s was a dream and I’m very happy to be back with something totally different.”
2025’s highlights for GICF’s biggest ever year include hit podcast Here Comes the Guillotine’s first ever Glasgow live show; a King’s Theatre debut for Connor Burns following a hit Fringe season; The Office (Australia) star Felicity Ward returns for her first national tour in six years; Scottish comedian and author Fern Brady headlines the King’s Theatre; internationally acclaimed Irish-Australian comedian Jimeoin; comedian and novelist Jenny Eclair’s autobiographical show; one of TikTok’s top stars Paul Black returns with brand new sketch show ‘All Sorts’; ‘Books and Banter’ will see comedy guests join Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon for lively chat and lots of laughs, whilst comedy band The Horne Section take a break from their own Channel 4 TV show to entertain Glasgow audiences.
Plus Scot Squad star and podcaster Darren Connell will headline his first King’s Theatre show; Marjolein Robertson’s top-reviewed, not for the faint-heard show ‘O’; one of the UK’s top TV and touring comics Russell Kane’s high-octane show ‘Hyperactive’; a ‘Bring Your Own Baby’ Comedy show for parents and babies; Only An Excuse writer Phil Differ presents new play ‘Celtic Da’s’ starring Raymond Mearns and Bruce Morton; Drag Race UK star Kate Butch whose fans include Alan Carr; Paisley comic Liam Farrelly tells the true story of becoming a father at 21 and the joys of baby ballet; ex-politician Mhairi Black pulls back the curtain on life in Westminster; Irish comedian, podcaster and So You Think You’re Funny? alumni Gearóid Farrelly; Shaun Williamson aka Barry from EastEnders returns for karaoke show Barrioke; Dee Allum, the self-proclaimed greatest transgender comedian her small village has ever produced, performs her critically acclaimed show ‘Deadname’ and Never Mind the Buzzcocks regular, one of Taskmaster’s most anarchic contests and all-round critically acclaimed comic Jamali Maddix brings his brutally honest show to GICF.
Plus, sure to be a highlight for the Scottish comedy industry as a whole, GICF will bring a day of shows to the Barrowland Ballroom with a homecoming show for Glaswegian comedian Larry Dean who has become one of the UK’s top touring comics, as well as Northern Irish comic and podcaster Paddy McDonnell. The Festival also presents a celebration of Alasdair Gray’s work in Gray Matters featuring Alan Bisset, Ashley Storrie and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd as part of Glasgow 850, whilst Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow winner Susie McCabe debuts brand new show ‘Best Behaviour’ in her hometown, Rosco McClelland navigates the highs and lows of life and death in a show with unexpected twists, and Old Firm Facts Live will celebrate all that is surreal, beautiful and hilarious about Scottish Football with an array of special guests.
Once again, the closing Comedy Gala on Sunday 30th March will reveal the winner of the festival’s only official award: the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award. The Big Yin himself will choose the ultimate winner, after an independent panel of judges decides a shortlist from all applications. In the third year of the award, 2025’s winner will join a prestigious list including Susie McCabe (2024 winner) and Janey Godley (2023 winner). Any individual, show, group or collective registered with the 2025 festival are eligible to submit - applications close at 5pm on 13th January.
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 Life Chair, Bailie Annette Christie commented: “The Glasgow International Comedy Festival is a much-loved and eagerly anticipated highlight in our city’s packed cultural calendar. Renowned for our warm welcome and legendary sense of humour, this remarkable festival places Glasgow firmly on the global comedy stage.
“Throughout 2025, Glasgow will be marking its 850th anniversary with a vibrant programme of events, bringing communities together to celebrate our rich culture, music and food. Comedy is very much part of that culture. This year’s GICF promises an exciting mix of seasoned performers and rising stars, guaranteeing plenty of laughs for audiences from Glasgow and beyond.”
GICF has also announced The Social Hub as a brand new community partner, with the state of the art hybrid hospitality venue in Candleriggs set to be a hub for artists throughout the event as well as host this year’s Introduction to Comedy course for women and marginalised genders. Applications for the course close at 5pm 13th January.
Glasgow International Comedy Festival will celebrate Glasgow as the ‘funniest city in the world’ from 12th - 30th March 2025 with shows taking place across city including Paddy McDonnell, Jenny Eclair, Chris Forbes, Susie McCabe, Catherine Bohart, Jimeoin, Jamali Maddix, Jamie MacDonald, Kemah Bob, Fred MacAulay, Marjolein Robertson and more.
The 2025 festival will feature shows across every genre of comedy from traditional stand-up, live podcasts, clowning, improv, theatre, kids shows, musicals and more, with shows for all age ranges hosted in venues across the city.
Over 40 venues will host Glasgow International Comedy Festival events with shows in Barras Art and Design, Barrowland Ballroom, Blackfriars, Glasgow Film Theatre, King’s Theatre, Platform, Oran Mor, SEC Armadillo, Flying Duck, Tennent’s Bar, The Old Hairdressers, The Stand Comedy Club, The Social Hub, Van Winkle West End and more.
2025 festival tickets are on sale via www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Calling all runners... grab a FREE post race drink from Flight Club Glasgow
Flight Club is inviting Glasgow AJ Bell Great Scottish Run participants to celebrate their incredible effort with a complimentary drink on Sunday 5th October!
READ MORE
Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Glasgow in October
The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!
READ MORE
GlasGLOW adds extra week after 35,000 tickets snapped up in days
City's biggest Halloween show extended as nostalgia-fuelled 'Miles Better' theme takes Glasgow by storm, with new dates on sale on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30am!
READ MORE
Wedding venue Crossbasket Castle unveils exquisite new menu curated by Michelin starred chef Michel Roux
Scotland's premier five-star luxury wedding destination, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled a new decadent wedding menu crafted exclusively by world-renowned Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
READ MORE
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate joins full cast of Death on the Nile at the Theatre Royal
The full cast has been announced for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile which comes to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Matilda the Musical comes to Glasgow for the first time
The Royal Shakespeare Company's smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book, will come to Glasgow for the very first time in 2026!
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
A jewellery store in Glasgow Fort is doubling in size following investment
Family-owned national diamond, jewellery and watch retailer, Beaverbrooks, is doubling the size of its Glasgow Fort store with a £1.3m investment.
READ MORE
Forget a boring beige Christmas in Glasgow...
This festive season at SWG3, Bongo's Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time where coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme!
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Popular Sunday BBQ returns to Glasgow favourite Sebbs
One of Glasgow's favourites is flipping the idea of a traditional roast on its head with the return of its Sunday BBQ later this month.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
SOAPYFEST raises thousands for Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
The Barrowland Ballroom was filled with love, laughter, and music as friends, family and supporters came together for SOAPYFEST, raising over £18K in support of Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
READ MORE
M&Ds teams up with Zombie Infection for a heart pounding, live action horror attraction
M&D's is set to transform into Scotland's Scream Park with the launch of Zombie Checkpoint, a live action immersive horror experience creating a heart racing adventure not for the faint hearted.
READ MORE
Topgolf Glasgow launches new field goal challenge game this autumn
Topgolf Glasgow is bringing a taste of the gridiron to Scotland this autumn with the launch of its brand-new Field Goal Challenge game.
READ MORE
GlasGLOW sells over 20,000 tickets in first hour as fans rush to relive 80s magic
GlasGLOW fever has gripped Glasgow once again, with more than 20,000 tickets for this year's GlasGLOW's Miles Better show snapped up within just 60 minutes of being released.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Even more acts added to Tenement Trail 2025, set to take over the East End on Saturday 11th October
Multi-venue music festival taking over Glasgow's East End this October confirms Dead Pony and 14 new acts!
READ MORE
2025 Aye Write programme announced as tickets go on sale for annual book festival
Tickets will go on sale for Aye Write, Glasgow's long-established and much-loved book festival, at 11am today.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Birds Fried Chicken launches collaboration series with Corner Shop
Birds Fried Chicken is taking its signature Southern-style fried chicken out of its natural Shawlands habitat and into new, unexpected settings with the launch of Rare Birds!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries champions Zero Waste Week with retailer initiatives for conscious consumers
Buchanan Galleries is marking Zero Waste Week (1 – 5 September 2025) by showcasing the centre's wide range of sustainable retail initiatives!
READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month
Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORE
Pop up play town brings big imaginations to little ones
A new role-play experience is popping up in community venues across Greater Glasgow this month bringing pint-sized professions and plenty of pretend fun to preschoolers and their families.
READ MORE
Local musicians to perform at outdoor charity concert at Nostrana restaurant
Summer may be over, but music festival season is still here, with an exciting outdoor concert in aid of Mary's Meals taking place in Glasgow's West End on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links