Aberdeen Performing Arts has announced a brand-new version of the Aberdeen Comedy Festival for 2025, guaranteed to get the Granite City giggling and promising a fortnight of funny across the city from September 22 to October 5.
The award-winning arts organisation has announced comedy favourite and current Strictly star Chris McCausland, beloved funny woman Sue Perkins and legendary stand-up Stewart Lee, as the first names to be signed up, with further announcements to be made.
Aberdeen Performing Arts chief executive Sharon Burgess said: “Aberdeen has such a dedicated and enthusiastic comedy audience, as we have seen from the huge success of previous iterations of the festival.
“We could not be more thrilled to be putting the Aberdeen Performing Arts stamp on the event for 2025 and bring you all a re-imagined comedy extravanganza!”
Chris McCausland performs at the Music Hall on Monday, September 22 2025.
As seen on Strictly Come Dancing, Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, The Royal Variety, QI, Blankety Blank, The Last Leg, and more, Chris comes to the Aberdeen Comedy Festival with his show “Yonks!”.
With his last tour selling out completely, the funny man will bring another masterclass in stand-up comedy in a show he describes as literally yonks in the making.
Sue Perkins headlines the Music Hall on Friday, September 25, with a completely new show. One of Britain’s best–loved comedians, expect stories about messed-up mescaline trips, getting shot in Bogota, and how her boobs ended up on the internet.
Currently hosting BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute, Sue has presented multiple travel shows for the BBC and Netflix. She is perhaps best known for presenting (alongside Mel Giedroyc) seven series of the BAFTA-winning The Great British Bake off.
Stewart Lee will perform at His Majesty’s Theatre on Sunday, September 28 2025 with “Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf.” In this brand-new show, Lee shares his stage with a tough-talking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of the subconscious who hates humanity.
The Man-Wulf lays down a ferocious comedy challenge to the culturally irrelevant and physically enfeebled Lee.
The Aberdeen Comedy Festival will be city wide with gigs taking place in His Majesty’s Theatre, Music Hall and Lemon Tree along with venues across Aberdeen bringing a packed two weeks of fun.
Audiences will be treated to a memorable experience with top names in genre, the stars of tomorrow and local comedians all set to take to the stage in 2025.
The festival will secure another key event in the city’s cultural calendar, and with long-term ambitions to grow it into a major event for the North-east of Scotland, Aberdeen Performing Arts is determined to strengthen the region’s reputation as an essential stop on the national comedy circuit.
The festival will be supported by Aberdeen Inspired, which initially ran the festival between 2016 and 2022.
Aberdeen Inspired chief executive Adrian Watson said: “We are absolutely delighted to be supporting partners with Aberdeen Performing Arts for the return of the Aberdeen Comedy Festival – news which will put a smile on so many faces.
“We know only too well the joy and laughter the festival brought to tens of thousands of comedy fans in previous years, and are delighted to be passing on the baton to APA to bring this fun-filled extravaganza back to the Granite City.
“The festival will entertain not only the people of Aberdeen but also attract fans from across the North-east, Scotland and the UK to delight in top-flight comedy from household names to rising stars, while also giving a huge boost to the city’s cultural life and wider economy.
“We can’t wait to work with APA to help bring the laughter next September.”
Sharon added: “Our intention is to bring the biggest names in comedy to Aberdeen, while also celebrating and offering a platform to emerging and local talent.
“The Comedy Festival really belongs to Aberdeen so we would welcome local collaborations, and while Aberdeen Performing Arts venues the Music Hall and Lemon Tree will be a focal hub for the festival, we would love to hear from other local venues and promotors who may want to find out more about getting involved.
“It is wonderful to have Aberdeen Inspired on board to support us, and of course share their invaluable experience with us.
“Let’s get the Granite City giggling!”
Tickets for the first acts are on sale now and are available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com, phone (01224) 641122 or visit the box office at the Music Hall or His Majesty’s Theatre.