Major laughs coming to Dubai this October: Dave Chappelle and Trevor Noah headline all-new Dubai Comedy Festival

• Venues throughout Dubai Marina to feature diverse 10-day programme of events between 15-24 October

Dubai is gearing up to flex its comedic muscles with the announcement that some of the world’s top comedy heavyweights are descending on the emirate this October for the inaugural Dubai Comedy Festival, taking place between 15^th and 24^th October.

International comedy icon, Dave Chappelle and the new host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, Trevor Noah will headline a 10-day programme of events, activities, promotions and appearances by local, regional and international comedians, for what is set to be the region’s largest comedy festival.

With tickets going on sale in the second week of September, organisers are expecting an overwhelmingly positive response from fans in the region, who can register now at www.dubaicomedyfest.ae to be first in line for ticket releases as well as have the opportunity to win backstage passes for headliner shows and access to insider experiences.

Announcing the festival and its headline acts, Hamad bin Mejren, Senior Vice President, Dubai Tourism, said: “Headline acts Dave Chappelle and Trevor Noah demonstrate that the inaugural Dubai Comedy Festival is not to be missed. With the headliners supported by a stellar line-up of local, regional and global comedy talent, Dubai Comedy Festival illustrates that we are serious about comedy.  Throughout the Festival we’re expecting sell-out crowds for what promises to be an exhilarating and entertaining ten days of gigs, shows and performances so we encourage fans to register now at www.dubaicomedyfest.ae to ensure they do not miss out.”

Based this year in the Dubai Marina district, the objective is for the annual Festival to eventually evolve into a city-wide celebration that attracts both visitors and residents alike.  A purpose-built 4,500 seat venue at Skydive Dubai will be the stage for two Main Gig weekends, which will include an opening night of Arabic Comedy as well as a closing weekend that will see Dave Chappelle take the stage on 22^nd and the 23^rd of October, and Trevor Noah perform on Saturday, 24^th October. Local funny man, Ali Al Sayed; Saudi Arabian YouTube sensation, Bader Saleh and American Comedy Magician, Mac King will also feature during the festival. Other highlights include a Comedy Strip, which will host a number of unique and hilarious Comedy Nights, and free daily street performances.

Along with attracting top global names, Dubai Comedy Festival will also support the growing number of local and regional comedians as it provides a platform for them to showcase their skills alongside some of the world’s top talent. With a range of languages represented throughout its 10-day programme, the Festival will play a key role in showcasing Dubai as a regional and international hub of comedy and entertainment and home to outstanding talent.

Speaking of the impact of festivals and events such as Dubai Comedy Festival in attracting regional and global travellers to the emirate, Hamad bin Mejren, Senior Vice President, Dubai Tourism, said:  “The objective of transitioning Dubai from the events hub of the region to a global events and entertainment destination is one of the three pillars in Dubai’s Tourism Vision for 2020. As such, the new Dubai Comedy Festival signifies not only a strengthening of our world-class events calendar, but also the emirate’s collective and continued work towards achieving this important milestone. Dubai Comedy Festival is the latest addition to our portfolio of festivals, which since the announcement of Tourism Vision in 2013, has also seen the successful introductions of Dubai Motor Festival and Dubai Food Festival.  As with these two festivals, during its inaugural year, the Festival is expected to attract visitors from across the GCC, as well as the wider MENA region and beyond and to subsequently become an annual addition to our events calendar.”

For more information on Dubai Comedy Festival and to register for ticket and event information, visit www.dubaicomedyfest.ae

About Dubai Comedy Festival 

Dubai Comedy Festival is a new annual celebration that reinforces the emirate’s emergence as a global events and entertainment destination through a 10-day programme of events, activities, promotions and appearances by local, regional and international comedians. Poised to be the largest comedy festival in the Middle East, Dubai Comedy Festival offers a first-class and highly accessible entertainment programme for the emirate’s residents and visitors. With a range of languages represented throughout its diverse line-up of events, Dubai Comedy Festival plays a key role in showcasing Dubai as a regional and international hub of comedy and entertainment and home to outstanding local and regional talent.