Dubai Comedy Festival is one of the Middle East’s biggest annual comedy events. It brings together stand-up comedians, theatrical comedy, improv, multilingual acts, regional and international stars, all across multiple venues in Dubai. Since its launch (it has had several editions already), the festival has become a mainstay in the city’s cultural calendar – anticipating laughter, diverse styles of humour, and a chance for local, regional, and global comedy talents to share stages.
The themes vary, but the core is about comedy in many forms – stand up, storytelling, character comedy, sometimes political satire etc. The festival is produced by partners like Live Nation Middle East, DXB Live, GME Events etc., with support from Dubai’s official events calendar.
When and Where Is Dubai Comedy Festival 2025 Happening:
Dates: October 2 to October 12, 2025. It runs for 11 days.
Venues: Multiple iconic locations across Dubai for each speaker, including:
- Dubai Opera
- Coca-Cola Arena
- The theatres at Mall of the Emirates
- Other venues, depending on the show (smaller theatre-spaces etc.)
What’s Different / What’s New in 2025
The 2025 edition brings some features and expansions that make it stand out:
Scale: Record number of shows. Over 50 shows across the 11-day run.
Diversity of performers: The line-up features a wide spread of international names alongside regional and local comedians. Comedy in multiple languages; acts that mix cultural perspectives.
New acts and returning favourites: Some international big names returning to Dubai, plus debut performances from some comedians in the UAE.
Multiple venues: More shows spread over different theatres and arenas. This gives options to audiences in terms of show size, style, location.
Language & style mix: There are shows in Hindi, English, Urdu, French, etc; some purely comedy play/theatrical works. Also acts that appeal to different cultural audiences.
More demand, more shows: Due to strong demand, extra shows have been added (e.g., additional slots for Mo Amer, etc.).
Dubai Comedy Festival 2025 lineup
Below is the Line-up for your favorite comedy festival in Dubai:
| Performer | Date | Venue | Details | Ticket price starting from |
| Tom Segura | October 2 | Coca-cola Arena | He kicks off the festival. Widely known for his Netflix specials and book, touring with Come Together. Big arena scale. | AED 295 |
| Shawn Chidiac | October 4 | New Covent Garden, Mall of the Emirates | Shawn Chidiac (aka My Parents Are Divorced) is a Lebanese-Canadian comedian and content creator based in the UAE. | AED 195 |
| Abbas Bukhari | October 4 & 5 | Playhouse Studio Theatre, Mall of the Emirates | Abbas Bukhari is a Pakistani Punjabi comedian known for his nostalgic storytelling and witty observations of middle-class life. In his stand-up special Small Talk, he brings tales of childhood, friendships, and marriage to the stage in Urdu. | AED 150 |
| Hassan Phills | October 4 | New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates | Hassan Phills is a Canadian comedian and digital creator whose sharp takes on culture, race, and relationships have built him a massive online following. | AED 195 |
| Emaad Siddiqui | October 5 | Playhouse Studio Theatre, Mall of the Emirates | Rising Pakistani stand-up comedian Emaad Siddiqui is well-known for his witty observations on daily Desi life and his razor-sharp Urdu jokes. He is a favorite among South Asian audiences because of his relatable humor about friends, family, and cultural peculiarities. | AED 100 |
| Omid Djalili | October 5 | Dubai Opera | Known British-Persian comedian; intellectual humour mixed with cultural commentary. | AED 195 |
| Akaash Singh | October 5 | Dubai Opera | Actor, podcaster; known for crowdwork and relatable topics around South Asian identity. | AED 195 |
| Morgan Jay | October 6 | Dubai Opera | A comedic style that merges performance, music, viral content. | AED 250 |
| Andrew Schulz | October 7 | Coca-Cola Arena | Flagrant Live: A high-energy show; podcast vibes | AED 295 |
| David Voinson | October 7 | New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates | French stand-up comedian David Voinson is well-known for his quick-witted delivery and sardonic observations on social life, relationships, and youth culture. | AED 175 |
| Joanne McNally | October 7 | Dubai Opera | Irish stand-up with sharp wit; previously seen by Dubai audiences. | AED 195 |
| Masood Boomgaard | October 9 | New Covent Garden Theatre at Mall of the Emirates | South African comedian Masood Boomgaard’s observational humor combines tales of daily life, culture, and identity with incisive social commentary. | AED 150 |
| Zakir Khan | October 12 | Coca-Cola Arena | Popular Indian comedian; known for poetry-leaned storytelling, mixing humour and sentiment in Hindi. | AED 195 |
| Gaurav Kapoor | October 12 | Dubai Opera | Hindi-language comedy; observational humour around family/middle-class life. | AED 115 |
Why You Must Go and What to Anticipate
- An opportunity to see both international superstars and local performers who might not typically appear in such prestigious venues.
- Comedy with a cultural flair: Since many performers draw from experiences in South Asia, the Middle East, diaspora communities, etc., the humor is frequently more appropriate for Dubai’s multicultural and multicultural populace.
- You can choose between smaller theater productions with a more intimate atmosphere or big arena performances (for the spectacle).
- Excellent for learning about Dubai’s performance and art scenes.
Tips For Attending
Popular shows sell out quickly, so purchase tickets in advance for major headliners.
Verify parking, public transportation, and venue locations. Although the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Opera, and Mall of the Emirates are well-known, but access and traffic are issues.
Some shows will be in languages other than English, such as French, Hindi, or Urdu. Verify that you’re comfortable with what and choose accordingly
Arrive early because doors may close, and wear comfortable clothing.
Final Words:
With more than 50 shows combining local and regional performers with international superstars in a variety of languages and styles, the Dubai Comedy Festival 2025 is expected to be one of the biggest events of this year. It will take place from October 2 to October 12 at prestigious venues in Dubai. This year has something for everyone, regardless of your preference for political satire, storytelling, stand-up, or just a fun night out with friends.
