Boston Comedy Festival

At our annual comedy festival, we strive to achieve several key goals that elevate the comedy experience for both performers and audiences. Our mission is to:

Celebrate Comedy as an Art Form: We aim to showcase comedy not only as a source of entertainment and joy but also as a legitimate and evolving art form.

Discover Emerging Comedic Talent: We actively seek out diverse, talented comedians from all corners of the entertainment industry, giving them a platform to shine.

Bring the Best Comedy Talent to Audiences: Our festival features top-tier comedians, ensuring audiences experience the highest quality performances possible.

Encourage Contemporary Creativity in Comedy: We embrace and promote the latest trends and creative voices in the comedy world, constantly reflecting the genre’s dynamic nature.

Educate on the Rich History of Comedy: Our festival also seeks to educate audiences about the deep history of comedy, honoring its evolution and impact.

Have Fun and Produce Great Comedy: Above all, we’re committed to creating an enjoyable experience for all—performers and audiences alike—through top-notch comedic theater.

Join us at the festival to experience the best in comedy, discover new talent, and be part of a creative, fun, and inspiring community.

Schedule

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Boston Comedy Festival Presents: Emo Philips

7:00PM - 8:30PM

The Rockwell Theatre

255 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144

Join us for a night of offbeat brilliance as Emo Philips, one of the most uniquely hilarious comedians of all time, takes the stage in Somerville! Described by Jay Leno as “the best joke writer in America” and praised by “Weird Al” Yankovic as one of the funniest people on the planet, Emo’s legendary career spans over 6,000 performances worldwide. With his unmistakable delivery, razor-sharp wit, and surreal storytelling, he has captivated audiences for decades through award-winning comedy albums, HBO specials, and memorable TV and film appearances—including his cult-favorite role in UHF.

Ticket Price : $25 adv / $30 day of

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Boston Comedy Festival Finals

8:00PM - 10:00PM

The Somerville Theatre

55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA

For 25 years, the Boston Comedy Festival has been a launchpad for top stand-up talent, and this year’s 25th Annual Comedy Contest is bigger than ever! The final eight comedians, narrowed from a 72-comic field, will battle for a $7,000 grand prize, delivering razor-sharp wit and high-energy performances before a live audience and esteemed judges. Past winners and finalists have gone on to headline theaters, land Netflix specials, and dominate late-night TV—including Nate Bargatze (Netflix, The Tonight Show), Marc Normand (Netflix, Conan, Joe Rogan Experience), Joe List (Netflix, The Tonight Show), Learnmore Jonasi (Steve Harvey’s Stand Up Spotlight, AGT), Dan Boulger (The Late Late Show), and Kelly MacFarland (Comedy Central, The View). Who will be the next breakout star to emerge from this legendary competition? Don’t miss an unforgettable night of stand-up as the next generation of comedy’s elite take their shot at glory!

Along with the competition, we’ll honor our 2025 award recipients:

Ryan Hamilton (Comedian of the Year), a Netflix and late-night favorite known for his sharp, observational humor

Ken Rogerson (Lifetime Achievement Award), one of Boston's favorite comedians. He has been featured on the NESN Comedy All Stars TV Show, The Best Damn Sports Show Period with Tom Arnold on the Fox Television Network, and on Showtime, where he was featured in the documentary When Standup Stood Out.

The night will be hosted by Tony Viveiros, a Boston comedy legend with TV credits including Seinfeld and Conan. Don’t miss this historic night of laughter!

Ticket Price: $30

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Date:
March 31 - April 5, 2025