New York Comedy festival isn’t the only reason you should be visiting the Big Apple this November

After a temporary break due to the pandemic last year, the New York Comedy Festival (NYCF) is back. Slated from November 8th-14th, the seven-day festival has more than 150 shows lined up featuring more than 200 comedians.

Since its inception in 2004, the festival has featured the best and brightest of comedy stars across New York’s most prestigious stages, including the Apollo Theatre, Carnegie Hall and even, the Madison Square Garden. The festival boasts of not just comedy but also panel discussions, podcasts, film screenings, and art installations, so there is something for everyone. This year’s festival intends to shine a spotlight on the small venues that have been worst affected by the pandemic. 

The festival has always strived to meet the empathy quotient along with entertainment. In 2019, The New York Comedy Festival partnered with The Female Quotient (FQ), a women-owned business that strives to advance equality in the workspace to increase female representation. The FQ lounge brought together comedians, writers, producers, and business leaders to the festival to ensure representation of women both on and off-stage. Another highlight of 2019’s festival was the ‘Hungry for Laughs’ event, a charity event that showcased the talent of New York’s finest chefs, donating a portion of its sales to local organizations to help fight the world hunger crisis. 

“We are especially thrilled to bring back the festival this year after having been canceled last year due to the pandemic,” said Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the NYCF and Carolines on Broadway. “We are committed not only to bringing the laughter back to New York City but also to creating opportunities for neighborhood venues across the five boroughs that are the backbone of New York’s comedy scene,” Hirsch adds. 

Vir Das, a comedian and actor popular for his sarcastic and daring takes across both India and the USA, is bringing his much-awaited ‘Manic Man’ world tour to this mega event. Ronny Chieng, The Daily Show-permanent who is also known for his performance in Crazy Rich Asians and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, will also be performing. This year’s line-up also includes Bill Maher, Brian Reagen, Tom Dillon, Nick Kroll, Michelle Wolf, Alok, Andrew Santino, Gary Gulman, Megan Stalter, and many other spectacular comics. The entire line-up isn’t even announced yet, and one can feel the palpable excitement in the air.

The festival will take place throughout the five boroughs of New York, i.e., Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens. You can find tickets on the official website as well as TicketMaster, with the price varying based on which shows you want to attend and how many. Visitors have to purchase individual tickets to see separate shows and as tickets dwindle, prices may shoot up. Ticket prices start as low as $35, but a standard ticket with a good view can cost around $50. Tickets for headliner shows at Town Hall can set you back $125 to $278 per head. 

Once you’ve had your fill of uncanny observations, comedic political jabs, and a bellyful of laughs, remember that this is only the tip of experiencing New York, and if you’re looking for some input, let us point you in the right direction.