Dubai Comedy Festival kicks off with 11 days of unforgettable laughter

| 5 min read

DUBAI: Dubai Comedy Festival kicks into gear today and will run until May 22. It promises to have you chuckling, giggling, tittering and roaring with laughter from start to finish with its jam-packed star-studded line-up of the world’s funniest comics including Josh Widdicombe, Vir Das, Jo Koy, Gad Elmaleh, and Russell Peters, among many others. The laughs will tour the city, hitting up multiple hotspots, including Coca-Cola Arena, The Agenda, The Theater MOE, BLA BLA and many more. 

Produced by BRAG, Live Nation, and DXB Live and presented by Dubai Calendar, part of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Comedy Festival is ready to treat the city to a healthy dose of comedic relief, with a star-studded line-up of international and local talent. 

Featuring some of the planet’s funniest men and women, Dubai Comedy Festival will unleash 11 days of hilarious stand-up sets, unforgettable shows, and, of course, belly-aching laughter. 

RUSSELL PETERS: THE ACT YOUR AGE WORLD TOUR 

May 12th at The Agenda (English language show) 

Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ;  ticketmaster.ae 

After selling out The Coca Cola Arena earlier this month, global comedy superstar Russell Peters is coming back to Dubai to launch the Dubai Comedy Festival on May 12th at The Agenda. This special return engagement of his wildly popular Act Your Age World Tour also features the opening act AlingonMitra and DJ Starting from scratch. Don’t miss out on seeing Russell this time around and get your tickets early! This show will be sold-out! 

VIR DAS: THE WANTED TOUR 

May 13th at The Agenda (English language show) 

Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ;  www.bookmyshow.com  

 With back-to-back achievements highlighting his ever-growing comedy career, Vir Das has exponentially built himself as an unmatchable Indian comedian in the international markets. Year after year, with achievements including major Netflix specials, international tours, and international projects, Vir Das has become a name synonymous with the brand of Indian comedy that is scaling global heights. Renowned as India’s Highest selling comedian, VIR DAS is back! After a world tour, a Netflix special and an American comedy series, the comedian is now working on something…SPECIAL. This show is brought to you by XPRNC in partnership with Dubai Comedy Festival. 

THE LAUGHTER FACTORY  

May 13th to 22nd 

The Laughter Factory is the Middle East’s longest-running comedy night, proudly making the GCC laugh since 1997, and hosts a fresh bill of three top professional comedians every month. With a reputation for quality and a sharp eye for talent, The Laughter Factory has showcased reams of A-list comics on their way to superstardom. At the Dubai Comedy Festival, they would be welcoming renowned artists in two show sets. One with Ger Staunton, John Fothergill, and Aurie Stylafrom May 13-17, and another featuring Ali Sultan, Corey Rodrigues, and Daisy Earl from May 18-22.  

Venues: Movenpick JBR, Hyde Hotel Business Bay, Studio 1 Hotel Studio City, Zabeel House the Greens, Dukes the Palm, Grand Millennium TECOM, Studio 1 Hotel Studio City, Hilton JBR 

Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com; thelaughterfactory.com  

JO KOY: FUNNY IS FUNNY 

May 14th at Coca-Cola Arena (English language show) 

Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ;  coca-cola-arena.com 

 As one of today’s premier stand-up comedians, Jo Koy has come a long way producing uniquely relatable comedy pulls inspired by his colourful family. Due to overwhelming demand, Koy will bring his Funny Is Funny World Tour to Dubai this year for just one night. From impersonations to stand-up, Jo Koy – inspired by his life experiences – is guaranteed to deliver a night of entertainment. This show is brought to you by Blu Blood Group in partnership with Dubai Comedy Festival. 

COMEDY BIZARRE TAKEOVER AT BLA BLA 

May 14^th– 20^that Bla Bla Dubai

Bringing 48 international comedians worldwide, the newest addition to the comedy festival roster is the Comedy Bizarre, taking over The Backroom at Bla Bla Dubai. It promises to be a spectacle not to be missed for those in love with fantastic food, good-time vibes, and hours of endless laughs. To go along with the hilarity of each night, Bla Bla Dubai will be serving a menu reflecting the diverse humour on the stage with a plethora of flavours on the plate. The curated menu will touch on different gastro palettes, offering dishes from cuisines worldwide. The only thing that can match such quality food delights are the acts that will grace the stage, each with their unique brand of fun and frivolity. It is sure to be dinner and a show like you’ve never experienced before.

Early Shows: May 14-20 at Bla Bla Dubai; 8:00 – 8:30 pm 

FREE entry for those who register at bookmyshow.com  

Age 21+ 

Late Shows: May 13-20 at Bla BlaDubai; 10:00 pm onwards 

Tickets AED150 on ticketmaster.ae  

*Fans can purchase their tickets for The Late Show online and then proceed to reserve a table at Bla BlaDubai 

Age 21+ 

ALAA EL SHEIKH, NOHA KATO, and MOHAMED HELMY hosted by MOHAMED BADR 
May 17th at The Theatre MOE (Arabic language show) 
Doors Open: 6:30 PM | Show Starts: 7:00 PM 
Age Policy: Entry for 16 years of age and above 
Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ;  ticketmaster.ae 

Arabic speakers: don’t miss the chance to laugh in your native tongue and celebrate Egyptian comedian at its best! This Arabic showcase features Egyptian comedians, Alaa El Sheikh, Noha Kato, and Mohamed Helmy! Get ready to roll into the aisles laughing.  

ADI KHALIFA, AHMAD ALSHAMMARI, and EMAN KHALLOUF 
 
May 17th at The Theatre Mall of the Emirates (Arabic language show) 

Age Policy: Entry for 16 years of age and above 
Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ;  ticketmaster.ae 

Adding more to the list of Arabic showcases here’s your chance to keep the laughs going as three amazing comedians from the region – Adi Khalifa, Ahmad Alshammari, and Eman Khallouf make their appearance right after the first show. Whether you connect with Palestinian, Kuwaiti, or Jordanian humor, this show has what you need! 

JOSH WIDDICOMBE: A BIT MUCH… 

May 18th at The Agenda (English language show) 

Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ;  ticketmaster.ae ; platinumlist.net, virginmegastore.me, 800tickets.com, bookmyshow.com 

The guy everyone can do an impression of is back with a brand-new stand-up tour. A show that will change your life and how you perceive your place in the world. Bit much? Fine, it’ll be a very funny night of grumbles and jokes in which Josh will finally tackle the hot comedy topics of advent calendars, pesto, and the closing time of his local park. This show is brought to you by GME Events  in partnership with Dubai Comedy Festival. 

 

AWK.WORD COMEDY: SHADEN FAKIH, CHAKER BOU ABDALLA, and NOUR HAJJAR 

May 19th at The Theatre Mall of the Emirates (Arabic language show) 

 Age Policy: Entry for adults 18 years of age and above 

Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ;  ticketmaster.ae 

Guess who’s back? The first underground stand-up comedy platform in Lebanon is back in town, featuring the great Shaden Fakih, Chaker Bou Abdalla, and Nour Hajjar. Bringing their strong opinions and Lebanese-centric jokes, this is bound to be an Arabic show to remember! 

LOYISO GOLA 

May 20 at Coca-Cola Arena(English language show) 

Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ; ticketmaster.ae 

Award-winning South African comedian Loyiso Gola released Unlearning– the first African Netflix stand-up special – in 2021 and will appear at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai for the first time this year.  

*Organised by  Braga Conceptz 

GAD ELMALEH: D’AILLEURS 

May 20 at The Agenda (French language show) 

Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ;  ticketmaster.ae  

Gad Elmaleh is a French-Moroccan stand-up comedian and actor who has achieved widespread notoriety globally. Seven years after his show “Sans Tambour” and an international tour over 15 countries, Gad Elmaleh will perform at Dubai Comedy Festival for an exclusive show. A great opportunity to immerse you in a show mixing stand-up and characters. After two sold out shows, Gad Elmaleh is returning for the third-time to Dubai Comedy Festival with a new one-man show: “D’AILLEURS”. 

BASSEM YOUSSEF 

May 21, The Agenda (English language show) 

Age Policy: Entry for 16 years of age and above 

Tickets:  dubaicalendar.com ;  ticketmaster.ae 

Former heart surgeon, Bassem Youssef quit his day job to become a stand-up comedian. Today, he’s hailed as the Egyptian Jon Stewart, and his brand of clever and controversial comedy has tickled audiences from New York City to Dubai. 

Source: Supplied