With a whole host of Netflix stars, YouTube sensations, and comedy powerhouses set to descend on Dubai, fans of a good laugh can expect satire, hilarity, and rib-tickling humour as Dubai’s funniest fortnight returns to keep you laughing from October 2nd to 12th
Two weeks of non-stop chuckles, snorts, and the occasional tear from laughing too hard await this October. You heard right, the Dubai Comedy Festival is making its grand return for its 2025 edition, and this year it’s bigger, bolder, and far more likely to make you forget your troubles. The moment the first spotlight hits on October 2nd, right up until the last curtain call on the 12th, Dubai will be the funniest place on Earth, and we don’t say that lightly.
A Brief History of Belly Laughs
Since its debut, the Dubai Comedy Festival has cemented itself as the go-to event for global comedy talent. What began as a modest gathering of international stand-up stars has evolved into a city-wide comedy takeover, filling iconic venues like Dubai Opera and Coca-Cola Arena with waves of laughter. Produced by BRAG and presented by Dubai Calendar, past editions have seen everyone from household names to breakout talents owning the stage, and 2025 promises to keep that momentum going, with an even more diverse mix of styles, stories, and sidesplitting silliness.
What’s in Store for 2025
This year’s festival is all about variety, and we’re not just talking about the punchlines. The line-up spans English, Arabic, Hindi, Russian, French, and German, proving that comedy really is a universal language. Expect sharp observational stand-up, musical comedy, improv, satirical theatre, live podcasts, and even a bit of experimental storytelling.
The laughs will be spread across the city’s best-loved stages, from the grandeur of Dubai Opera to the electric atmosphere of Coca-Cola Arena, plus special performances at Mall of the Emirates Theatres. It’s the perfect mix of intimate shows where you feel every pause and punchline, and big arena spectacles where thousands laugh together in glorious harmony.
Here is just a taster of some of the talent on show:
Thursday, October 2nd: Tom Segura Kicks Things Off
The festival launches with none other than Tom Segura, the Netflix king of deadpan delivery, bringing his Come Together tour to Coca-Cola Arena. The star of Ball Hog and a string of hit podcasts, this man has mastered the art of making even the most awkward topics hilarious. Expect brutally honest takes, outrageous anecdotes, and the kind of razor-sharp timing that leaves you both stunned and doubled over.
It’s an opening night designed to set the tone, and guests can expect a night that is in equal parts smart, fearless, and unashamedly funny. If Segura can get away with some of his material in front of thousands in Dubai, you know you’re in for a wild eleven days.
Friday & Saturday, October 3rd and 4th: Malik Al-Masrah
Not every laugh comes from a punchline; sometimes it’s the quiet satire that hits hardest. Enter Malik Al-Masrah (The King of the Stage), a Kuwaiti theatrical triumph blending sharp humour, deep introspection, and futuristic storytelling. This Arabic-language production at Dubai Opera tells the story of a retired artist reflecting on a career shaped (and scarred) by ego, fame, and public scrutiny, all set in a post-apocalyptic 2060.
With an ensemble of Kuwait’s finest acting talent, the play weaves laugh-out-loud moments into a tapestry of wit, melancholy, and artistic commentary. It’s a two-night-only chance to see theatre reinvented, and proof that the Dubai Comedy Festival knows how to mix its comedic cocktails with a dash of drama.
Stirring up even more unpredictability and pure creative chaos on October 4th and 5th, Stuff! will deliver a laugh-a-minute whirlwind of sketch comedy and improv that feels like watching your most unhinged group chat come to life. Then there’s Tape Face, the cult favourite who proves you don’t need words to be hilarious, with silent physical comedy, surreal props, and a mind that clearly lives in its own wonderfully weird universe.
Melbourne comic Con Coutis will add sharp, personal storytelling with the kind of dry wit that sneaks up on you, while MUSH takes the stage with a bold, genre-bending set that fuses stand-up, theatre, and just enough absurdity to keep you guessing. Across both nights, it’s a line-up designed for anyone who likes their comedy with a twist (and possibly a WTF or two).
Sunday, October 5th: Omid Djalili & Akaash Singh
Dubai Opera becomes the city’s comedy epicentre as British-Iranian powerhouse Omid Djalili presents his acclaimed NAMASTE show, a whirlwind of multicultural comedy and unfiltered commentary on the world’s absurdities. Expect energetic storytelling, perfect impressions, and a knack for making you laugh at things you probably shouldn’t.
Later that night, Akaash Singh takes the stage with his bold, boundary-pushing humour, fresh from his success with the viral Flagrant podcast. His mix of New York grit, Indian heritage, and unapologetic punchlines makes for a set that feels both relatable and thrillingly unpredictable. Two different comedic worlds, one unforgettable night.
Monday, October 6th: Morgan Jay’s Musical Mischief
If you like your comedy with a side of melody, Morgan Jay is your man. Making his Dubai debut, this Brazilian-Italian charmer blends stand-up, music, and cheeky audience interaction into a performance that’s part gig, part therapy session, part comedy masterclass. You might come for the jokes, but you’ll leave humming his tunes, and possibly questioning your last relationship.
Tuesday, October 7th: Joanne McNally’s Solo Storm
Ireland’s comedy queen Joanne McNally returns to Dubai Opera, this time flying solo after her My Therapist Ghosted Me sell-out success. Known for her unfiltered honesty on everything from dating disasters to social media madness, Joanne has the rare ability to make chaos sound charming.
With brand-new material, expect a night of belly laughs, knowing nods, and maybe the occasional “Oh no, that’s me” moment. She’s single, she’s chaotic, and she’s absolutely owning it.
Thursday, October 9th: Mo Amer’s Intimate Return
Palestinian-American sensation Mo Amer is back, but not in an arena. This time, he’s bringing his wit and warmth to the more intimate setting of Dubai Opera, with two back-to-back shows in one night. Fans of his Netflix series MO, his role in Ramy, or his stand-up specials already know the deal: sharp cultural insight, hilarious family stories, and a whole lot of heart.
Ensuring Russian comedy lovers are also catered to, Facepalm Stand-Up Comedy Show will take over the Play House Studio. Featuring comedians from across the Russian-speaking world who now call Dubai home, this show captures the quirks, chaos, and charm of life in the city through a uniquely relatable lens. Topics like missed exits on SZR, shopping mall mishaps, and cultural mashups will be the order of business as nothing escapes their observations. Expect a fast-paced night of classic stand-up and unfiltered improvisation, where no two shows are ever the same.
Friday, October 10th: International Pedigree, Hilarious Results
October 10th serves up a triple helping of comedy with a distinctly international flavour. Emirati favourite Bin Swelah & Friends brings the local humour front and centre, blending sharp cultural observations with the kind of punchlines that land perfectly with Gulf audiences. Over at Coca-Cola Arena, Mike Young & Friends, featuring Bret Ernst, Brent Morin, and Steve Byrne, deliver a powerhouse of American stand-up, from East Coast storytelling grit to Hollywood charm and quick-fire wit.
Rounding out the night, the British comic Paul Taylor takes Dubai Opera by storm with his high-energy mix of English and French banter, mining his own cross-cultural life for a set that’s as smart as it is side-splitting. It’s one evening, three wildly different vibes, and enough laughs to last you till next year.
Saturday, October 11th: A Comedy Buffet
Dubai Opera becomes a playground for variety, starting with Amer Zahr’s politically charged yet playful English-language set, blending Palestinian heritage with sharp observations. Later, Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo, the NearlyParents podcast duo, take the stage for a live recording full of oversharing, marital madness, and first-time-parent panic.
To round it off, Lebanese star John Achkar brings Arabic-language brilliance, balancing cultural commentary with laugh-out-loud anecdotes that feel all too familiar to anyone from the region. It’s the perfect example of how this festival thrives on contrast.
Sunday, October 12th: The Grand Finale
The last day packs in more variety than most festivals manage in a week. Zakir Khan headlines at Coca-Cola Arena with his Hindi-language mastery of storytelling and charm, while over at Dubai Opera, Redouane Bougheraba delivers rapid-fire French wit, Ivan Abramov spins eccentric Russian comedy gold, and Gaurav Kapoor offers Hindi observational humour with a side of nostalgia.
Final Laugh
Dubai Comedy Festival 2025 is a city-wide celebration of humour in all its forms. Enjoy intimate confessions, roaring arena sets, satire, and slapstick, as the comedy spans English, Russian, German, and everything in between. This is eleven days where the only serious thing is the talent on stage. Get your tickets, clear your calendar, and prepare to laugh in more languages than you thought you knew.
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