Aberdeen Comedy Festival Returns with Big Names and Local Laughs
Two weeks of stand-up, sketch and satire are set to energise the city centre.
After a three-year break, Aberdeen Comedy Festival will return with a bold new look and a packed programme. From 22 September to 5 October 2025, the city will host two weeks of stand-up, sketch, satire and family fun across its best-loved venues.
With a mix of household names, local legends and emerging talent, this year’s festival promises something for everyone. It is not just a line-up. It is a reminder of how much fun a city can have when it brings people together to laugh.
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This summer, Aberdeen Arts Centre becomes a creative clubhouse for 5-11s to explore big ideas, get making, and try something new.
From 7-18 July, we’ll jump between sea monsters and skylines, imaginary cities and prepare for the Tall Ships' arrival through drama, craft, stories and play. Book for one day or the whole run – there’s plenty to discover. Discounts available.
Big Names and Big Ideas
Festival highlights include Rory Bremner, who will close the programme on 5 October with Making an Impression, a one-night show combining stand-up and candid storytelling. Bridget Christie brings her sharp, inventive comedy to the Music Hall, and Adam Kay performs his hit show Undoctored.
Chris McCausland opens the festival at the Music Hall with Yonks!, and Fred MacAulay returns with No Podcast - LIVE! Elf Lyons takes the stage with Horses, a surreal comedy show described as the first ever performed entirely by a horse.
Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive Sharon Burgess said: “The Comedy Festival is just around the corner and with an absolutely stellar line-up, it cannot come soon enough. Comedy is such a great leveller. It brings people together and is a fantastic chance to shine a light on the talent we have right here in Aberdeen as well as attracting the biggest and best names the genre has to offer.”
Deidre O'Kane, Rory Bremner and Fred Macaulay all appear at Aberdeen Comedy Festival 2025
Comedy Across the City
Venues across Aberdeen will host performances, including His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall, the Lemon Tree, the Tivoli, Breakneck Comedy, OGV Taproom and Cheerz. That variety keeps the festival rooted in the city centre and easy to explore.
The Flying Pigs return to His Majesty’s with The Fashed and The Furious, bringing their trademark humour and much-loved characters. North-east performers, including Robin Grainger, Peter Wood and Scott Forbes, also feature this year.
For Families and First-Time Fans
It is not all adult humour. Family shows like Comedy Club 4 Kids, Shelf, and Ignacio Lopez: Juan Solo bring laughs for all ages. These additions reflect the festival’s growing appeal to a broader audience and help build the next generation of comedy fans.
After its last edition in 2022, this year marks a revival and a fresh start. It is a chance for the city to laugh together, discover new voices and celebrate the performers who have made Aberdeen a favourite stop on the comedy circuit.
Tickets are available now. To browse the full programme and book, visit aberdeenperformingarts.com.
Aberdeen Comedy Festival 2025 line-up
22 Sep | Chris McCausland: Yonks! | Music Hall
22–27 Sep | The Fashed and The Furious | His Majesty’s Theatre
24 Sep | Gary Faulds | Tivoli Theatre
24 Sep | Matt Richardson | Cheerz
25 Sep | Chris McCausland: Yonks! | Music Hall
25 Sep | Lou Conran: Gooch | Lemon Tree Studio
26 Sep | Stuart Mitchell | Tivoli Theatre
26 Sep | Elf Lyons: Horses | Lemon Tree Studio
26–27 Sep | Comedy Club | Lemon Tree Lounge
26–27 Sep | Rory O’Hanlon, Steve McLeod, Steve Johnson | Breakneck Comedy
26 Sep | Neil Skene | Breakneck Comedy
27 Sep | Comedy Club 4 Kids | Lemon Tree Studio
27 Sep | Adam Kay: Undoctored | Music Hall
27 Sep | Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America | Lemon Tree Lounge
27 Sep | Fred MacAulay: No Podcast - LIVE! | Lemon Tree Studio
27 Sep | Dr Dave Wandless | Breakneck Comedy
28 Sep | Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf | His Majesty’s Theatre
28 Sep | Ignacio Lopez: Juan Solo | Lemon Tree Studio
28 Sep | Ignacio Lopez: Nada | Lemon Tree Studio
2 Oct | Bridget Christie | Music Hall
2 Oct | Sophie Duker (WIP) | Lemon Tree Studio
3 Oct | Mark Watson: Before It Overtakes Us | Lemon Tree Lounge
3 Oct | Marcel Lucont’s Whine List | Lemon Tree Studio
3 Oct | Robin Grainger | OGV Taproom
3 Oct | Scott Forbes | Breakneck Comedy
3–4 Oct | Billy Kirkwood, Peter Wood, Martin Bearne | Breakneck Comedy
4 Oct | Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles | Lemon Tree Studio
4 Oct | Angela Barnes: Angst | Lemon Tree Studio
4 Oct | Dierdre O’Kane | Tivoli Theatre
4 Oct | Craig Campbell | Breakneck Comedy
4 Oct | Peter Wood | Breakneck Comedy
5 Oct | Shelf | Lemon Tree Studio
5 Oct | Rory Bremner | His Majesty’s Theatre
