Leading names of the comedy circuit including Bridget Christie, Deirdre O'Kane, and Rory Bremner will make their way to the Granite City this autumn as the Aberdeen Comedy Festival makes a welcome return, Monday 22 September to Sunday 5 October 2025.
Taking place for the first time since 2022, Aberdeen Comedy Festival has been revived and revamped by Aberdeen Performing Arts who are preparing to host two weeks of the finest comedy in venues across the city.
Looking ahead to the event’s much anticipated return, Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive Sharon Burgess said: “The Comedy Festival is just around the corner and with an absolutely stellar line up, it can’t come soon enough!
"We are so looking forward to getting the Granite City giggling with the help of some of the sharpest, brightest and most hilarious minds on the comedy circuit like Bridget Christie and Deirdre O’Kane, local heroes The Flying Pigs and household names such as Rory Bremner and Chris McCausland, to name just a few!
“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. We hope everyone gets involved and enjoys what we have in store!”
Among the all-star line-up due to appear at the fresh-look festival are Taskmaster alumni Bridget Christie at the Music Hall and Sophie Duker in the Lemon Tree Studio; Irish stand-up comedian and actor Deirdre O’Kane at the Tivoli Theatre; and Britain’s foremost impressionist, Rory Bremner in His Majesty’s Theatre.
The festival opens on Monday 22 September when the previously announced Strictly Come Dancing winner, actor and comedian Chris McCausland plays the Music Hall with his latest show Yonks! With an additional date on 25 September, tickets are selling fast for this masterclass in stand-up comedy that has been literally yonks in the making.
Bridget Christie
Further highlights of the programme include Flying Pigs Productions’ The Fashed and The Furious at His Majesty’s Theatre, 24 - 27 September. A brand new show packed full of the Pigs’ usual blend of sketches and songs, and the return of favourite characters such as Mither & Faither, Hilton John and the Buckie Drifters.
Fred MacAulay, “one of the best stand-up comedians Britain has ever produced” (Richard Osman), does what he does best with Fred MacAulay - No Podcast - LIVE! And the nation’s twelfth-favourite doctor brings his brand new show to Music Hall on 27 September.
Adam Kay: Undoctored was one of the best selling shows of the Edinburgh Fringe and is filled with more of Adam’s unique tales of life on and off the wards.
Frec Macaulay
Award-winning comedian and clown Elf Lyons brings her Comedian’s Choice show Horses to the Lemon Tree Studio 26 September, the first ever comedy show to be performed entirely by a horse.
Mock the Week and House of Games alumnus Angela Barnes is worrying enough for everyone in her brand new stand-up show Angst, 4 October in the Lemon Tree Studio. And multi-award winner, YouTube cult figure and Radio 4 favourite Mark Watson brings his typically frantic and fun-packed new show Before it Overtakes Us to the Lemon Tree Lounge on 3 October.
Elsewhere in the city, Breakneck Comedy Club welcomes a stream of talented stand-ups from across the North-east, including Dr Dave Wandless, Scott Forbes and Peter Wood. The Tivoli Theatre welcomes Breaking The News panellist Stuart Mitchell and humble funny man Gary Faulds; Aberdeenshire’s own Robin Grainger plays the OGV Taproom, while comedian and Virgin Radio Drivetime host Matt Richardson comes to Cheerz.
It’s not all foul-mouthed stand-up. Comedy Club 4 Kids brings the hilarity of the international comedy circuit without all the rude bits for audience aged 6 and up. Acclaimed French comedian presents a wild and family-friendly game show with Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles; best friends Ruby and Rachel present Shelf, winner of UK’s Best Kid’s Comedy Show 2023; and Spain’s greatest Welsh export, Ignacio Lopez brings Juan Solo to Aberdeen, an interactive adventure for all the family.
The festival comes to a close on Sunday 5 October with a headline performance from Britain’s foremost impressionist, Rory Bremner: Making an Impression. For four decades, Rory Bremner has been the voice of our times - quite literally. Now, in this intimate new show, the master satirist combines his signature stand-up with candid conversation in an evening of acute observations, pitch-perfect impressions, and surprising revelations.
Rory Bremner
Aberdeen Comedy Festival returns after a three year hiatus, staged by Aberdeen Performing Arts and supported by Aberdeen Inspired, who produced the festival between 2016 and 2022.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “The line-up for the return of the Aberdeen Comedy Festival is bound to put a smile on everyone’s face. It’s a perfect mix of some of the biggest household names in comedy, with up-and-coming stars and an appeal across all ages and tastes.
“The joy of this festival is the way people can get out to see their best-loved stand-ups then discover new favourites who are on their way to the top, all against the backdrop of a vibrant and buzzing festival in the heart of the Granite City.
“It’s not just comedy fans who will be in good spirits – I know city centre businesses from hospitality to retail will enjoy the boost in footfall and visitors the Aberdeen Comedy Festival will bring.”
“Comedy Elite” (Kevin Bridges) Fred MacAulay added: “Aberdeen audiences are fabulous. It’s a great city with a great sense of humour. The Festival is a must for any touring comedian.”
Aberdeen Comedy Festival 2025 will take place Monday 22 September to Sunday 5 October at Aberdeen Performing Arts spaces and venues across the city. To browse the full programme and to book tickets, search Aberdeen Comedy Festival or visit www.aberdeenperformingarts.com.