Just For Laughs 2025: Event Highlights
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
We’ve rounded up the standout shows you simply cannot miss at this year’s Just For Laughs Festival.
With so many incredible acts on offer, from side-splitting stand-up to boundary-pushing performances, this year’s Just For Laughs Festival is packed with unmissable comedy. We’ve rounded up the standout shows, headline acts, and hidden gems you won’t want to miss — whether you’re a die-hard comedy fan or just looking for a night of laughter and fun in Sydney. Get ready for a festival full of laughs, surprises, and unforgettable moments.
Preacher Lawson: Live & Down Under
📍 Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall
📅 Nov 11th, 7pm
Since his breakthrough on America’s Got Talent, Lawson has continued to rise as one of the most dynamic voices in comedy. His stand-up special Get to Know Me (2019) showcased his hilarious take on everyday life, delivered with his signature physicality and rapid pace.
Beyond stand-up, Lawson has appeared on HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, starred as a series regular on NBC’s Connecting, and co-hosted World’s Most Amazing Dogs on Facebook Watch alongside George Lopez and Lisa Vanderpump.
Now a viral sensation, he’s heading to Australia for a special tour that promises big laughs, high energy, and a whole lot of heart. Don’t miss the chance to see one of comedy’s brightest stars live on stage.
Just For Laughs: All Star Gala
📍 Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall
📅 Nov 15th, 7pm
Prepare for an evening of world-class comedy, and big laughs, all led by the quick wit and charm of Australia’s most beloved and brilliant comedy minds: Shaun Micallef. With a blockbuster lineup of comedy’s biggest names featuring Reggie Watts, Melanie Bracewell, Wil Anderson, Joel Creasey, Celia Pacquola and Preacher Lawson, this Gala remains the must-see event of the festival and always sells out fast. Don’t miss your chance to experience this Sydney-exclusive showcase of true comedic genius.
The Alternative Show
📍 Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall
📅 Sat, Nov 22nd, 7:15pm
Hosted by the brilliantly chaotic Demi Lardner, this cult comedy favourite assembles a knockout lineup of Australia’s most unconventional and inventive performers: Dan Rath, Sez, Tom Walker, and Neel Kolhatkar. This isn’t your average stand-up show. The Alternative Show champions the strange, the surreal, and the side-splittingly unexpected. It’s a place where punchlines twist into absurdity, routines turn into rollercoasters, and nothing is quite what it seems.
Long loved by comedy die-hards, The Alternative Show is your chance to see a different side of the comedy festival - one that celebrates risk-taking, originality, and glorious nonsense. It’s only here for one night, and it will be strange in all the best ways.
Rhys Nicholson’s Gay Panic Showcase
📍 Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall
📅 Fri, Nov 21st, 7:15pm
A celebration of queer voices, razor-sharp wit, and laugh-out-loud brilliance. Rhys, known for their stand-out appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under and sharp comedic timing, brings together an exceptional line-up of queer talent: Nina Oyama, Tarsh Jago, Annie Boyle, Aves Robins and Chris Parker. These are some of the most exciting names in comedy today - bold, original, and unapologetically hilarious. This is not just a night of stand-up; it's a loud and proud showcase of the LGBTQIA+ community’s comedic brilliance.
Comments