If you’re looking for a laugh this October, look no further than the Granite City when from Thursday, October 6 for 11 days the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival flings open its doors and makes a much-anticipated return to city stages.

Taking place in a variety of different venues, from vintage theatres to wee atmospheric pubs, comes a line-up of comedians that will dazzle and delight audiences who just want to laugh.

Brought to the city by Aberdeen Inspired, the Business Improvement District, the festival has been in hibernation since 2019 but it’s back with a bang, bigger and better than ever with an international, national and local line up of comedy that’s eclectic and exciting.

Shona Byrne, Festival Manager told us what to expect from the festival this year. She said, “Aberdeen is a small city with a big heart and this October for 11 days comedy will take centre stage at over 20 city centre venues providing locals and visitors with so many reasons to be cheerful.

“We’ve crammed comedy into as many corners of the city centre as possible with the aim being to bring people out to experience and enjoy all the city has to offer. Audiences will find they can have a laugh from as little as £7 and we are thrilled to bring some hotly tipped rising stars to the city for the first time as part of this year’s festival line up.

“We can’t wait to open the festival doors this week, there are shows to suit all tastes and we really look forward to seeing folk lose themselves in laughter.”

With venues no more than 20 minutes walk apart from each other it really is easy to pack a few shows into a day and there’s no excuse for locals to stay indoors as comedy festival ticket holders will be able to bag a free day ticket courtesy of FirstBus who will be emailing a unique code to comedy customers a few days before the festival begins.

Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired told us why the local partnerships are such an important part of the festival. “Supporting local businesses, promoting local talent, providing opportunities for local people sit at the heart of the comedy festival.

“Our events deliver way more than footfall into the city centre, they bring opportunities to local companies and genuine partnerships with local businesses. This year we have three local shows featuring north east comedians, over 20 city centre venues hosting performances, 50 volunteers helping out, local tech company Law Sound providing show support, a strong partnership with Original 106 and Mental Health Aberdeen are our official charity partner.

“Aberdeen Inspired are excited to be bringing the laughs back to the city centre and I can’t wait to see and hear the reactions of the audiences at the festival shows”.

The festival closes on Sunday, October 16 with Stuart McPherson who’s bringing his acclaimed 2022 Fringe show The Peesh to Siberia and the fast, furious and totally absurd headliner Milton Jones will bring the festival curtain down with his show Milton:Impossible at the Tivoli.

Plans are already underway for the 2023 festival with Gary Faulds Live at Aberdeen Arts Centre already announced and on sale for next year.

Shona Byrne, Festival Manager concluded “There’s no doubt that it’s a tough time just now with the uncertainties that have landed on our laps with the cost of living crisis and the fall out from the pandemic. Laughter brightens up your day and can have such a positive effect on how you feel, as the saying goes ‘laughter is the best medicine’ and that’s what we are serving up in October, come take a seat and have a right good laugh.”

For the full line up and tickets visit www.aberdeencomedyfestival.com

More like this…

View all