April is looking like a month of great laughs in the emirate as the Dubai Comedy Festival returns.
From Friday April 12 until Sunday April 21, some of the world’s most popular comedians will perform at two of Dubai’s biggest venues – Dubai Opera and the Coca-Cola Arena.
And now Roxy Cinemas in Dubai Hills Mall will host shows several shows shining a spotlight on stars of the Egyptian, Emirati and South African comedy scene.
Egyptian ensemble Stand Up Bel Masry, an English language Emirati comedy showcase join South Africans Alfred Adriaan and Riaad Moosa on the lineup.
Katherine Ryan was added to the Dubai Comedy Festival line-up with the Canadian set to perform on the opening night at Dubai Opera on Friday April 12.
The first headline acts were revealed for the main stage at Dubai Opera in February with comedy legends Frank Skinner, Al Murray, and Gad Elmaleh all set to perform.
The festival will kick off next month and there are still more names to be announced.
The 2024 edition of Dubai Comedy Festival will be hosted at various venues in the city, including the prestigious Dubai Opera and the incredible Coca-Cola Arena.
At Dubai Opera, the gigs will have a central walkable set-up for the first time allowing festival goers to hop from show to show or hang out within one space, giving it a real festival vibe and an ambience primed for socialising.
Tickets for the event went on sale on Friday February 16, starting from just Dhs105.
The first Dubai Comedy Festival was held in 2015, with the 2024 edition set to be bigger than ever.
Who is on the Dubai Comedy Festival bill?
Canadian comic Katherine Ryan has a dedicated global following with two well-received Netflix specials and multiple appearances on popular UK panel shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats.
British expats will be very familiar with Frank Skinner and Al Murray from their many appearances on UK TV including both appearing on popular show Taskmaster.
Frank Skinner’s brand of observational humour will be on Monday April 15 at the Dubai Opera Hall while Al Murray will also perform at the same venue on the following day.
Tickets start from Dhs250 for Frank Skinner’s show while Al Murray tickets start from Dhs195.
Gad Elmaleh has been dubbed the “Seinfeld of France” with his everyday relatable humour making him similarly big in the French-speaking world.
As well as being renowned in his homeland, he has also managed to breakthrough into the tough American market and performed in fluent English throughout the United States.
He will open the festival with two performances in French at the main hall at Dubai Opera on Friday April 12 and Saturday April 13. Tickets start from Dhs250 for both nights.
Indian comic Anubhav Singh Bassi, better known by Bassi, has a huge online following and is set to bring his new show ‘Kisi Ko Batana Mat’ to Dubai as part of the festival.
He has more than 200 million views for his videos online, has toured in more than 35 cities and has even appeared in Bollywood film Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. His show, which is in Hindi, has a starting price of just Dhs105.
American comics Chris Distefano and Amer Zahr have also been announced as well as British stand-up comedian Mo Gilligan and podcasters Spencer and Vogue.
Dubai Comedy Festival: Timetable and tickets
- Katherine Ryan. Friday April 12. Dubai Opera. From Dhs195
- Gad Elmaleh. Friday April 12 and Saturday April 13. Dubai Opera. From Dhs250
- Laughtrip. Saturday April 13. Dubai Opera. From Dhs125
- Internet Sensations. Sunday April 14. Dubai Opera. From Dhs175
- Kenny Sebastian. Sunday April 14. Dubai Opera. From Dhs125
- Mike Eshaq. Sunday April 14. Dubai Opera. From Dhs180.
- Frank Skinner. Monday April 15. Dubai Opera. From Dhs250
- The Climb: Imah Comedy Concert. Monday April 15. Dubai Opera. From Dhs125
- Al Murray. Tuesday April 16. Dubai Opera. From Dhs195
- Chris Distefano. Tuesday April 16. Dubai Opera. From Dhs195
- Amer Zahr. Wednesday April 17. Dubai Opera. From Dhs150
- Omid Singh. Wednesday April 17. Dubai Opera. From Dhs180
- Chinedu Unaka. Thursday April 18. Dubai Opera. From Dhs180
- Standup Bel Masry. Thursday April 18 – Friday April 19. Roxy Cinemas. From Dhs200
- Zarna Garg. Thursday April 18. Dubai Opera. From Dhs175
- Alfred Adriaan. Friday April 19. Roxy Cinemas. From Dhs180
- Spencer & Vogue. Friday April 19. Dubai Opera. From Dhs250
- Mo Gilligan. Friday April 19. Dubai Opera. From Dhs195
- Bassi. Saturday April 20. Dubai Opera. From Dhs105
- Emirati Stand-up: English Edition. Saturday April 20. Roxy Cinemas. From Dhs150
- Riaad Moosa. Saturday April 20. Roxy Cinemas. From Dhs200
- Bil 3Arabi. Sunday April 21. Dubai Opera. From Dhs150
