Just for Laughs Vancouver is a festival featuring live comedy performances at various venues in Vancouver. In 2023 it runs from February 16th to 25th.
For full details about the festival see the Just For Laughs Vancouver website.
Just for Laughs Vancouver
Formerly known as the Just for Laughs Northwest Comedy Fest, Just for Laughs Vancouver runs from February 16th until the 25th.
JFL Comedy Fest ticket prices can usually start as low as about $10 although the most popular tickets cost much more. Some events are for ages 19+ and others are for all ages.
If you like comedy, this is a festival you won’t want to miss! The shows are hilarious!
2023 Comedy Fest Schedule
Below is a list of just some of the featured comedy performances taking place during the Just for Laughs Vancouver festival in 2023. Go to the Just for Laughs website, however, for the full list of 2023 shows. (Note: Times and details are subject to change.)
February 16th, 2023
- Bad Friends with Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee – these comedians have a weekly comedy podcast known as Bad Friends. Their Just for Laughs Vancouver show is a live recording of an episode at the Orpheum Theatre. Tickets start at about $35 and the show begins at 8:00 pm.
- Gianmarco Soresi – a New York-based stand-up comedian and actor. He performs at the Biltmore Cabaret and tickets cost $25.
- Other comedians performing today include Dave Merheje and Sarah Sherman. There are also shows by New Moon Comedy, Sunset Comedy, Ola Dada’s Black Out Comedy, Comedy Bucket and Vancouver Special.
February 17th, 2023
- Sugar Sammy – a Canadian comedian who has performed in over 30 countries around the world in multiple languages. He is currently a celebrity judge on the French edition of America’s Got Talent. His show may be politically incorrect at times and he provokes discussion in a funny way. Tickets start at about $55 and the show starts at 6:00 pm at The Bell Centre.
- Other comedians performing today are Adam Pally, Darcy and Jer, Sarah Sherman, Baron Vaughn and Hannah Berner. There’s also a show featuring Asian comedians and another show by Tin Lorica and Savannah Erasmus.
February 18th, 2023
- Margaret Cho: Live and LIVID! – named one of the nine best female comedians of all time by Vogue Magazine, Cho is a well-known comedian, actor, musician and more. Cho has toured as a comedian for over 10 years. Her show is at the Vogue Theatre at 7:00 pm. Tickets start at around $46 each.
- Other shows today include performances by Jordan Carlos, Sugar Sammy, Ryan Hamilton, Margaret Cho, Citizen Hurricane, Mufaro Mbudzi, Hannah Berner, Joe Derosa and Benito Skinner & Mary Beth Barone. There are also shows by drag performers and local comedians.

February 19th, 2023
- A Conversation with Phil Rosenthal – an award-winning creator, executive producer and host of Somebody Feel Phil on Netflix. This show is a live recording of Phil Rosenthal’s weekly talk-show podcast, which usually features a new guest each week. The show is held at the Vogue Theatre at 5:00 pm. Tickets start at about $45 per person.
- Other comedians performing today include Pat Regan, Ryan Hamilton, Pete Holmes, Becky Robinson, Ali Macofsky and some of the funniest entertainers in Canada.
February 20th, 2023
- That’s Messed Up: An SVU Podcast – a live recording of the popular podcast hosted by Liza Treyger and Kara Klenk. It features a breakdown of a Law & Order: SVU episode, as well as fun games and gossip. The show takes place at the Biltmore Cabaret starting at 7:00 pm. Tickets cost as low as about $30 each.
February 21st, 2023
- Joe Pera – star of the series Joe Pera Talks With You, this comedian has appeared on late night shows and other film and television projects. He has an artful approach to comedy. There are two Joe Pera shows today, both of which are at the Rio Theatre. The first performance starts at 7:00 pm and the second begins at 9:30 pm. Tickets start at about $32.50.
- Other shows to check out today include Comedy Feast, Full Pint Comedy and Normal Good.
For tickets and full details about the festival see the Just For Laughs website.
February 22nd, 2023
- Chris Distefano Live – a funny performer who has been on the Guy Code/Girl Code Series and his own Comedy Central special titled 38 Waist. Chris Distefano is touring the country and has a show in Vancouver today at 7:00 pm. The performance is at the Vogue Theatre and tickets cost between about $47 and $68 each.
- Other comedians with shows today include Bassem Youssef, Matt Rife and Jared Freid. The Sasha Ha-Ha Show and the MSG Comedy show are also happening.
February 23rd, 2023
- Sarah Silverman – Grow Some Lips – Silverman is an Emmy Award winning actress, writer, producer and comedian. She performs in 2023 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre starting at 7:00 pm. Tickets start at around $78.
- Other shows happening today are Sunset Comedy along with a drag cabaret show with Sasha Mark and Savannah Erasmus. There are also performances by Nick Thune, Jared Freid, Bassem Youssef, Matt Rife and Ryan & Amy.
February 24th, 2023
- An Evening with the Office Ladies – the two best friends and actors from The Office co-host their Office Ladies podcast. The show begins at 7:00 pm at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets start at about $78 each.
- Other comedians performing today include Steve Rannazzisi, Ari Shaffir, Steph Tolev, Nick Thune, Tim Dillon and Dan Soder. There’s also the And That’s Why We Drink show and the Comedy World show.
February 25th, 2023
- Fun & Slutty, A Night with Jonathan Van Ness – a television personality, author, and podcaster, Van Ness is also a Hollywood hairstylist. His show is at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 9:30 pm. Tickets start at about $50 per person.
- Other comedians with shows on the final day of the festival include Jack Whitehall, Dan Soder, Patton Oswalt, and Ari Shaffir. In addition, there’s Podcast But Outside, Comedy Pants and Girl God with Grace Feud and April Clark.
For tickets and full details about the festival see the Just For Laughs website.
Other Information
For more information see the Just For Laughs Vancouver website.
For other ideas on things to do in the Lower Mainland see the Vancouver’s Events Calendar.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Vancouver Shows & Entertainment
- Entertainment in Vancouver
- New Westminster Comedy Club
- The Improv Centre (a comedy improv venue on Granville Island)