In a landmark move reflecting its ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, Saudi Arabia is set to host the world’s largest comedy festival from September 26 to October 9, 2025, in Riyadh’s vibrant Boulevard City. This historic event will gather more than 50 internationally acclaimed comedians, including household names like Kevin Hart, Russell Peters, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Pete Davidson, and Chris Tucker, marking a transformative moment in global entertainment. The festival is a central feature of Riyadh Season 2025, underscoring the Kingdom’s drive to position itself as a leading hub for culture, tourism, and live events in the Middle East and beyond.
The Biggest Comedy Festival Ever Assembles a Stellar Global Lineup
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), under the leadership of Chairman Turki Alalshikh, has officially unveiled an unprecedented lineup of comedy stars for the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival. Announced via Alalshikh’s official X account, the festival promises to be “the biggest comedy festival in the world,” with over 50 performers from diverse backgrounds taking the stage in Boulevard City over two weeks. Among the headline acts are internationally renowned comedians such as Kevin Hart, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Russell Peters—the Canadian-Indian comedian famed for his multicultural material and worldwide fanbase. Hollywood icon Chris Tucker, celebrated for the Rush Hour franchise, and Aziz Ansari, Emmy winner and co-creator of Master of None, will also be featured. The festival further boasts Pete Davidson, known for Saturday Night Live and Peacock’s Bupkis, as well as Tom Segura, whose Netflix special Bad Thoughts earned an Emmy nomination. Other notable names include podcast hosts Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee (Bad Friends), Emmy-nominated writer Nimesh Patel, Amazon Prime standout Sam Morril (You’ve Changed), and British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili. Additional performers confirmed so far include Chris Distefano, Mark Normand, Hannibal Buress, six-time Emmy and three-time Grammy winner Louis C.K., and Australian favorite Jimeoin. The lineup continues with Andrew Schulz, Bill Burr, Jessica Kirson, Jimmy Carr, Jo Koy, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Maz Jobrani, Whitney Cummings, and Zarna Garg. These comedians represent a wide spectrum of comedic styles, from sharp political satire and deadpan delivery to high-energy storytelling and cultural commentary, ensuring that the festival appeals to a truly global audience.
Boulevard City Transformed Into a Global Comedy Hub
The entire event will unfold at Boulevard City, Riyadh’s sprawling, high-tech entertainment district located in the Hittin area along Prince Turki Al-Awwal Road. Spanning over 220 acres, the venue is divided into themed zones, including open-air plazas, theaters, music stages, and the iconic Times Square-inspired “Square” with towering digital screens.Known for hosting everything from concerts and sports tournaments to immersive exhibitions, Boulevard City offers a full-scale entertainment experience with more than 100 restaurants and cafés, retail outlets, VR arcades, and live performance areas. Its flagship Mohammed Abdo Arena seats up to 22,000 people, making it a centerpiece for large-scale events.For the festival’s two-week run, the district will come alive with comedy stages, vibrant lighting, food trucks, and a buzzing crowd atmosphere. The venue can accommodate up to 60,000 visitors at a time, with past Riyadh Season events seeing peaks of 200,000 visitors daily. Tickets for the Riyadh Comedy Festival will go live in three days,1st August, on Webook.com, with high demand expected across all tiers. The festival will run from September 26 to October 9. This event is designed to be more than just a series of stand-up shows, organisers have confirmed daily programming including live stand-up, talk shows, comedy workshops, and interactive sessions that cater to audiences of all ages, creating an immersive festival experience.
A Platform for Global Icons and Rising Regional Talent
While global headliners are a major draw, the Riyadh Comedy Festival also plays a pivotal role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape. It serves as a platform for regional performers and emerging Arab comedians, giving them rare international exposure.By sharing the stage with global icons, GCC-based talents in stand-up, digital media, and performance gain visibility and recognition, potentially marking major turning points in their careers.Chairman Turki Alalshikh has also hinted at upcoming programming featuring Gulf and Syrian theatre, regional music, and dedicated productions, reinforcing the festival’s dual mission: bringing the world’s best comedy to Riyadh, while projecting local talent to global audiences.
Anchored in Vision 2030: A Cultural and Economic Milestone
The Riyadh Comedy Festival is not a standalone event. it’s a landmark chapter in Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national roadmap for economic transformation through cultural diversification. By anchoring the comedy festival within Riyadh Season 2025, the Kingdom underscores its intention to become a top global destination for live entertainment, arts, and tourism. Saudi Arabia has already made significant strides, hosting international sporting events, K-pop supergroups, and Michelin-starred culinary showcases. Now, it turns the spotlight on comedy, an art form that bridges languages, generations, and cultures. The festival is expected to draw thousands of domestic and international visitors, boosting footfall in hotels, restaurants, and retail zones, while also offering invaluable exposure for Saudi Arabia’s growing creative sector. With more performer announcements expected in the weeks ahead, the Riyadh Comedy Festival is poised to become one of the most culturally impactful, economically beneficial, and globally visible entertainment events the Kingdom has ever hosted.
