Taking place for the first time since 2022, Aberdeen Comedy Festival has been revived and revamped by Aberdeen Performing Arts who are preparing to host two weeks of the finest comedy in venues across the city.

Looking ahead to the event’s much anticipated return, Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive Sharon Burgess said: ‘The Comedy Festival is just around the corner and with an absolutely stellar line up, it can’t come soon enough! We are so looking forward to getting the Granite City giggling with the help of some of the sharpest, brightest and most hilarious minds on the comedy circuit like Bridget Christie and Deirdre O’Kane, local heroes The Flying Pigs and household names such as Rory Bremner and Chris McCausland, to name just a few!

‘Comedy is such a great leveller. It brings people together and is a fantastic chance to shine a light on the talent we have right here in Aberdeen as well as attracting the biggest and best names the genre has to offer. We hope everyone gets involved and enjoys what we have in store!’

Among the all-star line-up due to appear at the fresh-look festival are Taskmaster alumnus Bridget Christie at the Music Hall and Sophie Duker in the Lemon Tree Studio; Irish stand-up comedian and actor Deirdre O’Kane at the Tivoli Theatre; and Britain’s foremost impressionist, Rory Bremner in His Majesty’s Theatre. The festival opens on Monday 22 September when the previously announced Strictly Come Dancing winner, actor, and comedian Chris McCausland plays the Music Hall with his latest show ‘Yonks!’

Further highlights of the programme include Flying Pigs Productions’ The Fashed and The Furious at His Majesty’s Theatre, 24 – 27 September. A brand new show packed full of the Pigs’ usual blend of sketches and songs, and the return of favourite characters such as Mither & Faither, Hilton John, and the Buckie Drifters. Fred MacAulay does what he does best with ‘No Podcast – LIVE!’ And the nation’s twelfth-favourite doctor brings his brand new show to Music Hall on 27 September. Adam Kay: ‘Undoctored’ was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe and is filled with more of Adam’s unique tales of life on and off the wards.

Other Wee Review favourites gracing include Elf Lyons, Lou Conran, Kieran Hodgson, and Angela Barnes, and of course home-grown talent is well-represented by the likes of Gary Faulds, Stuart Mitchell, Robin Grainger, Scott Forbes, and Billy Kirkwood, Peter Wood, and Gary Little.

The festival comes to a close on Sunday 5 October with a headline performance from Britain’s foremost impressionist, Rory Bremner: ‘Making an Impression’. For four decades, Rory Bremner has been the voice of our times – quite literally. Now, in this intimate new show, the master satirist combines his signature stand-up with candid conversation in an evening of acute observations, pitch-perfect impressions, and surprising revelations.

Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: ‘The line-up for the return of the Aberdeen Comedy Festival is bound to put a smile on everyone’s face. It’s a perfect mix of some of the biggest household names in comedy, with up-and-coming stars and an appeal across all ages and tastes.

‘The joy of this festival is the way people can get out to see their best-loved stand-ups then discover new favourites who are on their way to the top, all against the backdrop of a vibrant and buzzing festival in the heart of the Granite City.

‘It’s not just comedy fans who will be in good spirits – I know city centre businesses from  hospitality to retail will enjoy the boost in footfall and visitors the Aberdeen Comedy Festival will bring.’

Aberdeen Comedy Festival runs from Mon 22 Sep to Sun 5 Oct 2025