Kumail Nanjiani, Margaret Cho, and more as Just For Laughs VANCOUVER announces 2025 lineup
Sugar Sammy, Tim Dillon, and Roy Wood Jr. among names announced for festival running February 13 to 23
Kumail Nanjiani.
ON THE HEELS of announcing its headliner will be Jerry Seinfeld, Just for Laughs VANCOUVER has just revealed more artists taking part in its ninth edition, running from February 13 to 23 at various local venues.
Joining top stand-up comics are popular podcasters and rising digital stars from platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Some of the shows will be in Spanish and French.
Among the acts is The Basement Yard (February 20 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre), which consists of the ad-lib duo of Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez, who involve audience members in the action.
Nurse John: The Short-Staffed Tour (February 22 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre) is John Dela Cruz’s comedy routine based on his experiences as an actual nurse who knows what it’s like to be underpaid, undervalued, and under-appreciated.
Sugar Sammy (February 14 and 15 at the Vancouver Playhouse) is one of the hottest comedians on the international circuit; the Washington Post called him “fluent in funny”. Hitting on social, cultural, and political themes, he has appeared on HBO Canada, Comedy Central Asia, Comedy Central India, CTV, The Comedy Network, The Comedy Channel, Dutch TV, and Showtime Arabia.
Kumail Nanjiani (February 22 at the Vogue Theatre) is an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated writer, actor, and comedian. He stars in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire alongside Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon and will have a recurring role in the fourth season of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.
Tim Dillon (February 14 at the Vogue Theatre) is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, known for his no-holds-barred humour and incisive social commentary. His latest Netflix special, “Tim Dillon: This Is Your Country”, takes on the political and cultural chaos leading up to the 2024 U.S. election. Framed as a Jerry Springer-style talk show, the show explores controversial topics and human behaviour. His podcast, The Tim Dillon Show, averages a million viewers a week between video and audio downloads.
Margaret Cho.
Margaret Cho is bringing Live and LIVID! to the fest (February 16 at the Vogue Theatre). The artist is a Grammy and Emmy nominee who stands up for causes that are important to her, including anti-racism, anti-bullying, and gay rights. She has had more than 10 comedy tours and has appeared on HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant and Hacks.
Also taking part in JFL VANCOUVER are Roy Wood Jr., Pete Holmes, Maz Jobrani, Ashley Gavin, Sofia Niño de Rivera, Harland Williams, Brian Simpson, Preacher Lawson, René Vaca, Sam Jay, Ryan Long, Jason Cheny, Esther Povitsky, Irene Tu, Langston Kerman, Sabrina Wu, Gianmarco Soresi, Jay Jurden, Maddy Smith, Brittany Schmitt, and more.
Shanda Leer. Photo by Broda Photography
Presented in association with SiriusXM Canada, the festival is also hosting the annual Best of the West, a unique comedy series highlighting B.C.’s local talent. This year’s lineup includes Big Dog Energy; Bloodfeud: Stand Up vs Improv; Buds and Suds; Camp! Comedy!; Chill, Comedy!; The Established, Shanda Leer; F*ck Marry Kill; IndigE-girl Comedy; Jacob Samuel & Friends; Teen Angst Night; That’s gay! comedy; The HERO SHOW; and Trans Girls: Raw and Uncut, among others.
Just for Laughs VANCOUVER has teamed up with British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s ticketing program for a new initiative called Comedy for Community. Through it, the organization is distributing tickets to non-profit and charitable groups so that people facing financial barriers will be able to attend the fest.
Tickets go on sale on December 13 at 10 am, with the pre-sale running from December 10 at 10 am until December 12 at 10 pm. 
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