Get ready to laugh. Just For Laughs, one of Montreal’s most well-known and popular festivals, has returned from the dead following 2024’s disastrous bankruptcy and subsequent cancellation. The 2025 edition of the comedy fest runs from July 16-27th and includes an impressive array of both anglophone and francophone talents from around the world. Festival organizers have also brought back perennial audience favorites such as The Nasty and Culture shows along with an array of Galas hosted by big name comics, a three-day roast battle royale hosted by Canada’s own Russell Peters, and a lineup of entertaining free outdoor performances.
The 2025 edition of Just For Laughs includes approximately 300 performers with some 200 indoor and outdoor shows geared to appeal to practically every comedic taste. The fest also includes an extensive array of Off-JFL shows featuring Montreal based talent, exciting sketch and solo shows, as well as a queer comedy night.
With so many great acts in this year’s lineup it’s difficult to pick out a handful of standout shows to check out but without a doubt one of the highlights is JFLGBTQ+ hosted by Alan Cumming. This much anticipated show is headlined by the renowned Scottish born actor/writer whose probably known to most fans from his vast array of stage and screen work in films such as Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Spy Kids (2001), X2: X-Men United (2003), The Smurfs (2011), and the TV series The Good Wife (2010–2016). Cumming will no doubt bring his unique life and career experiences to the queer-based show which also includes the talents of Canadian performers Mae Martin and Sabrina Jalees. JFLGBTQ+ hosted by Alan Cumming will be taped at Espace St-Denis on Saturday July 26th at 9:30PM.
Some of the most anticipated and in demand shows at the Just For Laughs fest are its hilarious galas, which, as usual, are hosted by some of the biggest names attending Montreal’s world-famous comedy fest. This year is no exception with galas being hosted by Fortune Feimster, Michelle Buteau, The Daily Show’s Roy Wood Jr., and Saturday Night Live regular Mikey Day. Fortune Feimster’s gala takes place July 26th at 6:30 at Théâtre Maisonneuve. Feimster is a lesbian writer/standup comic/podcaster/actor who co-hosts a podcast called Handsome with fellow queer performers Tig Notario and Mae Martin. Feimster’s gala reunites 2/3 of the Handsome trio with Martin participating in Feimster’s gala. Other performers entertaining audiences at the gala include British actor/writer/comedian Nick Mohammed; who is probably best known for his work on the popular Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, comic/ actor/podcaster/internet personality Gianmarco Soresi, Canadian stand up Adam Christie, Mexican/Syrian stand up Wally Baram known to audiences for her work on the Amazon series Overcompensating, Australian stand up/ podcaster/ writer Wil Anderson, Chinese-American stand-up/actress/writer Leslie Liao, as well as up and coming comedic talent Laura Peek.
Multi-talented Toronto native Mae Martin will also be headlining their own show on July 25th at 9:30 PM which will take place at the L’Olympia theatre (1004 Ste-Catherine Est). Martin is a rising star not only in the world of comedy but also as a writer, actor, musician and podcaster. Martin’s television work includes appearances on The Baroness von Sketch Show (2016-2019), a recurring role on HBO Max’s series The Flight Attendant (2022) as well as starring in a 2023 Netflix comedy special entitled Mae Martin: SAP for which they received a Juno for Comedy Album of the Year (2024). In late February 2025 Martin released their first indie studio album titled “I’m a TV”.
Another talented Canadian performer to watch out for is Gerry Dee who will be taping a stand up special for Netflix during this year’s JFL festival. Dee is probably best known to Canadian viewers from his time starring in the hilarious CBC sitcom Mr. D which ran from 2012-2018. Presently the Scarborough, Ontario native can be seen hosting CBC’s Family Feud Canada (2019-). At this year’s Just For Laughs fest Dee, a former teacher, will be filming his first comedy special in 13 years. Dee is scheduled to perform two shows on Sunday July 27th at 6 and 8:30PM which will take place at Espace St-Denis (1594 R. Saint-Denis).
Returning to this year’s Just For Laughs is long time festival favorite Danny Bhoy. Born in Scotland, Bhoy has become one of the most successful comics on the international scene. Bhoy made his JFL debut in 2005 where he was named one of the standouts of the fest. The Scottish comedian has made several comedy albums including Live at the Sydney Opera House (2007), Live at the Athenaeum (2009), Live at the Festival Theatre (2012) and the show Subject to Change (2010) which was shot right here in Montreal. This year Danny Bhoy brings his wit and infectious comedic talents to Just For Laughs with his show Danny Bhoy: Dear World… Fans can catch his hilarious and insightful humor at one of Bhoy’s six scheduled shows which run from July 22th to the 27th at Le Gesù located at 1200 rue de Bleury.
With all the serious things going on in the world today — war, politics, climate change, economic instability etc. — don’t we all deserve a much-needed respite from the collective angst plaguing our modern world? Laughter has often been called the best medicine but even if comedy isn’t the cure all for the plethora of ills plaguing our modern society it serves to remind us of our collective humanity and the innate desire of people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, and social/economic classes to gather together, share a laugh, and forget the worries of everyday life if only for a brief time. Do yourself a favor and check out the 2025 version of Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival.
For info, tickets, schedules, and more check out the JFL site- montreal.hahaha.com
