Just For Laughs VANCOUVER 9th Edition Delivers Unmatched Laughter and Unforgettable Moments
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Venues across the city were packed for 11 days of non-stop laughter, with audiences enjoying back-to-back performances.
VANCOUVER, February 26, 2025 – The 9th edition of Just For Laughs VANCOUVER closed with a bang this past Sunday, cementing its status as one of the most electrifying comedy festivals in Canada. Over 11 days, audiences packed venues across the city for an unforgettable lineup featuring comedy icons, digital trailblazers, and Canada’s rising stars. From legendary sets to standing ovations, this year’s festival was a testament to Vancouver’s love of live comedy.
<"Just For Laughs VANCOUVER is more than ever a driving force in the Canadian comedy industry. This 2025 edition demonstrates our commitment to providing a premier platform for talent from here and abroad while strengthening our presence from coast to coast. This festival proves that Just For Laughs is moving forward with ambition and success."- Sylvain Parent-Bédard, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Just For Entertainment Group.
"I’m immensely proud of this year’s festival. From sold-out performances to buzzing industry panels, it’s been incredible to witness Vancouver’s passion for live comedy. I’m deeply grateful to all of our artists, sponsors and partners for helping ensure this festival continues to thrive and grow. As a team, we’re honoured to present a first-class event every February, and we can’t wait to return next year for even more unforgettable moments." – Heather Wallace, Partner & Festival Director of Just For Laughs VANCOUVER
Economic & Cultural Impact
Just For Laughs VANCOUVER is more than a festival - it’s a key economic and cultural driver for the Canadian comedy industry. Thanks to the support of public and private partners, including the Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia, Destination Vancouver, SiriusXM Canada, B.C. Lottery Corporation, and Downtown Van, the festival featured over 200 artists, generating hundreds of seasonal jobs in more than 25 venues. Just For Laughs VANCOUVER also welcomed over 46,000 festival-goers inclusive of its satellite events in Victoria and Kelowna.
Festival Highlights
This year’s festival was a must-attend event for comedy lovers, featuring sold-out performances across the city and the highly anticipated return of two festival staples - The Best of the West presented by SiriusXM Canada and The Creator’s Series presented by Creative B.C. From major headliners to emerging talent, every corner of Vancouver was buzzing with comedy.
Some of the standout moments of the festival included:
Unforgettable Stand-Up Performances
- Jerry Seinfeld closed out the festival with two sold-out shows at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, delivering a masterclass in stand-up that left audiences roaring.
- Joe Santagato & Frank Alvarez (The Basement Yard) made their Vancouver debut with two high-energy, off-the-cuff performances that were filled with the most talked-about moments of the festival.
- Social media sensation Nurse John captivated audiences with his sharp storytelling and real-life nursing experiences, cementing his status as a breakout star.
- Kumail Nanjiani won over crowds with his reflections on Canadian culture, his deep appreciation for Vancouver, and hilarious stories about his cat, Bagel.
Festival Buzz & Sold-Out Shows
Eager fans lined up around the city to see comedy’s biggest names night after night at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vogue Theatre, Rio Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, Biltmore Cabaret, The Pearl, and Commodore Ballroom. The hottest tickets in town included:
- Pete Holmes, Harland Williams, Tim Dillon, Margaret Cho, Ashley Gavin, The Ryan & Amy Show, René Vaca, Preacher Lawson, and more.
- Jiaoying Summers delivered a fearless, sold-out show at the Rio, blending dark humor with cultural commentary in a way that left audiences raving.
- Sofía Niño de Rivera’s all-Spanish-language set at the Vogue Theatre brought thunderous applause, cementing her as a leading voice in Latin American comedy.
- Erica Rhodes made a surprise guest appearance on Gianmarco Soresi’s The Downside
Canada’s Best & Brightest
Canadian comics took centre stage, proving that Canada continues to be a comedy powerhouse:
- Ivan Decker’s charm and Alistair Ogden’s sharp observations made their homecoming performances a festival highlight.
- Ahren Belisle’s unique style of storytelling was a hit on the 5th Season of The New Wave of Standup, landing him an invitation back with a featured spot on this year’s festival lineup.
- The Best of the West showcased 25 of Western Canada’s favourite comedy shows, from Big Dog Energy to Ola Dada’s Black Out Comedy, Pillow Talk, Buds and Suds, Trans Girls and IndigE-girl Comedy - offering everything from stand-up and improv to drag and musical comedy.
Industry & Creative Innovation
The Creator’s Series: Elevating Vancouver’s Comedy Scene With support from Creative BC, this year’s The Creator’s Series reached new heights—bigger, bolder, and more essential than ever. 2025 highlights and additions include:
- The Family Comedy Stage - In collaboration with the Vancouver Public Library & Vancouver Civic Theatres, young aspiring comedians were invited to step up to the mic .
- Drop-In, Dropout Improv Classes - Led by Dropout Improv stars, local performers and eager comedy fans were given the chance to hone their improv comedy chops.
- Talent Showcases - Nearly 40 BC comedians performed for top talent scouts and industry professionals, opening doors for the next generation of comedy stars.
- Panels & Minglers - Three expert-led panels featuring programmers, bookers, influencers, and comedians explored the digital-first comedy landscape, audience growth strategies, and breaking into the industry.
CBC Gem’s The New Wave of Standup
For the sixth consecutive year, CBC Gem’s The New Wave of Standup filmed its latest season during the festival, capturing 14 of Canada’s rising stars in two electrifying shows - set to premiere this fall.
Beyond the Stage
Comedy Meets Sports & Culinary Delights
Every year, the festival proudly partners with Destination Vancouver to ensure artists experience the very best the city has to offer—both on and off the stage. This year:
- Comedians Maddy Smith & Jason Cheny teamed up with Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team for a hilarious skills swap before the 2025 Vancouver Sevens series at BC Place.
- Gianmarco Soresi and Russell Daniels embarked on a mouth-watering culinary experience at Miku Restaurant, showcasing Vancouver’s food scene in a delicious crossover moment.
Check out the highlights on both Destination Vancouver and Rugby SVNS Instagram pages: @vansevens @destination_vancouver .
Comedy for Community: Laughter for All
This year, the festival also proudly launched Comedy for Community, a purpose-driven initiative launched to ensure live comedy remains accessible to all.
In partnership with BCLC’s Community Ticketing Program, festival tickets were donated to local charities and non-profits, reinforcing the power of laughter to bring people together.
Of course, there’s so much more we could go on about! To catch more of the unforgettable moments you may have missed, be sure to head over to our Instagram and TikTok for even more festival highlights. With another incredibly successful year in the books, Just For Laughs VANCOUVER continues to cement its status as Western Canada’s largest premier comedy event - and we’re already counting down to 2026!
PRESS MATERIALS:
To download high-resolution images of show highlights, click here.
ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS VANCOUVER:
Just For Laughs VANCOUVER is one of Canada’s largest and most renowned comedy festivals, showcasing an extraordinary lineup of top-tier comedic talent from around the globe. Spanning multiple venues across the city, the festival brings Vancouver to life with a celebration of all things comedy. Over the years, Just For Laughs VANCOUVER has welcomed some of the biggest names in comedy, including John Mulaney, Bill Burr, Trevor Noah, Hannah Gadsby, Marc Maron, The Office Ladies, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, Maria Bamford, Ronny Chieng, and many more. In addition to hosting global megastars, the festival proudly fosters homegrown talent with its wildly popular curated series, Best of the West, shining a spotlight on the exceptional comedians emerging from Vancouver and beyond.
With a legacy of unforgettable performances and a reputation for curating both established icons and rising stars, Just For Laughs VANCOUVER continues to solidify its place as a premier destination for comedy fans.
ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS:
Created in 1983, Just For Laughs is a world leader in comedy. Just For Laughs organizes numerous festivals, including the world's largest comedy festival in Montréal. The company has launched the careers of many renowned comedians and entertained millions of spectators each year through its festivals and content broadcast in more than 150 countries. Just For Laughs manages the careers of artists and produces shows, musicals, television series and films. Just For Laughs is also the organizer of the annual ComedyPRO conference.
Just For Laughs is a leading brand of the Just For Entertainment Group which, since its foundation in 1997, has established itself as an international leader in creating a world of entertainment. Just For Entertainment was historically known as ComediHa!