TOSketchFestBlog
July in Toronto is stacked with comedy thanks to the Toronto Fringe Festival, running July 2–13. The Comedy category is overflowing with talent this year, and narrowing this list down to just ten shows was nearly impossible. As TOsketchfest’s producer (hi, it’s Virginia), I’ve got 21 shows on my own must-see list and am currently puzzling through how to fit them all in. Chances are I’ll end up seeing even more.
This blog is technically for July, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t give a shoutout to MANWORLD, running June 26 & 27 at Comedy Bar Bloor. Hosted by Sarah Bennett (Amazon Prime, TOsketchfest) and Katie Yoner (Rat Academy, Santa Monica Comedy Fest), the lineup is stacked with some of our sketch faves: Ajahnis Charley, Jon Blair, Rebecca Payne, Chris Locke, Legally Brown, and 24 Double B.
Ten Comedy Shows to See at Toronto Fringe 2025:
Bitty-Bat and Friends
Join Bitty-Bat as she charms and intimidates the audience deep into her world, only to be interrupted by a strange know-it-all voice interfering with her daily rituals. Each Bitty-Bat performance will feature a guest opening act, making every show an incredible night to remember!
Childhood by Cheap Wine
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD at the 2025 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.
“Cheap Wine” is family. For real. As in two of them have the same parents and two have a marriage certificate. Which is fun, but also kind of weird! Try to figure out who is what to who, how much is based on real life, and if spending this much time together is healthy. Part sketch comedy, part unhinged autobiography, part inability to leave behind the hopes and fears of childhood.
Warning: This is a friendly family troupe, but not a family-friendly show.
A Cigarette That’s Good For You
An all-star collection of Toronto’s top comedians present a brand new sketch review where they explore how the “cigarettes of life” (Toronto rents, aging, Roz and Mocha) can actually be good for you. Sit back, relax, and remember to drink your cigarettes. WARNING: May contain stars of CBC, YouTube, and The Second City Holiday Review.
David Lynch’s Seinfeld
An original episode of Seinfeld that descends into a Lynchian nightmare. Starring a cast of current & former members of the Second City, the Sketchersons, and the Bad Dog Theatre Company.
Galen’s Grocer
Galen Easton is the most hated man in Canada. It doesn’t help that there’s a CEO Killer on the loose.
Galen needs to improve his public image fast.
He’ll try by making a TV sitcom about how hard it is to run a grocery store: Galen’s Grocer
Judge Mintz
Step into the courtroom of Judge Mintz, where the cases are created through YOUR suggestions. Chaos reigns as performers passionately argue cases that they have no prior knowledge of, and are forced to navigate; surprise witnesses, never-before-seen evidence, and shocking twists. Hosted by the honourable Judge Mintz and his trusty sidekick, Bailiff Hay, come and see the show everyone’s calling “The love child of ‘Judge Judy’ and ‘Whose Line is it Anyway’.” With a different cast of Canada’s top comedians every night, no two shows will be the same. So come see Judge Mintz and all his judgements.
A Play We Wrote Just Now
Drag! Improv! Theatre!
Award winning drag comedians Hillary Yaas (Camp Wannakiki) and Selena Vyle (Far Cry 6) present an entirely improvised play, based on audience suggestions.
Armed with nothing but a clothing rack full of fabulous outfits, they invent multiple outrageous characters through the magic of costume and wig changes live on stage!
Sweet Action Theatre Presents UFC 3: No Laughing Matter
Sweet Action has assembled the best Clowns & Comedians to engage in the ultimate clash of comedy styles—ONE STAGE, ONE RULE: DON’T LAUGH! ‘CAUSE IF THEY LAUGH, THEY’RE OUT! BUT THE AUDIENCE WILL LAUGH, MAKING IT HARD!
It’s all led to this…witness the Ultimate Form of Comedy!
This Show Will Change Your Life
This Show Will Change Your Life is a bold, unscripted comedy experience from the self-appointed lifestyle gurus at $20 Sandwich. Each show, we interview a brave audience member about their real-life joys, struggles, and unanswered questions—covering love, work, family, friendship, and even spirituality. Then, using the mystical art of improv, we hold a mirror up to your life and perform transformational scenes designed to help you unlock your full potential.
This show just might change your life… or at least make you laugh really hard.
Very Shady Arab Ladies
Mama’s birthday. Too bad they’re in jail.
Maryem and Roula: Angelic katkootas or devilish criminals?
Featuring Dora-winning actor HRH Anand Rajaram
Satire and song for an apocalyptic age.
Sponsored by Shawarma Whore – Za best hot pitas in town! Mention za show & get 15% off.
Put zat in your hookah and smoke it!
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Each of these 10 Toronto Fringe Comedy Picks brings something unexpected, smart, or completely unhinged to the stage, in the best way possible. Whether you’re a die-hard sketch fan or just here for the weirdness, July’s comedy lineup has you covered. Happy Fringing!
Sketchfest Comedy Cabarets – Late Night Comedy
We will be out and about at Fringe all day every day, ourselves. What better way to celebrate a great day of Fringing with nibbles and tastes of a late-night sketch comedy cabaret?
Video Cabaret’s Deanne Taylor Theatre is a satellite venue featuring eight Toronto fringe shows this year. Each Saturday night, when Fringe shows are complete for the day, TOsketchfest will be moving in with some late-night Sketch Comedy. July 5th & 12th, join us at 11:30pm to unwind with some big laughs!
Take a Summer Comedy Road Trip
Venture out to Comedy Country in Prince Edward County on Saturday, July 26th to see Middle Raged! Fresh off its Mirvish run, Middle Raged is a hilarious live sketch comedy revue starring Geri Hall (22 Minutes, Second City), and Gary Pearson (MadTV, Corner Gas), that explores life between 30 and 65–when the bloom is off the rose, but the thorns are sharper than ever.
Want to see more funny in the city?
Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s 10 Comedy Shows to see in Toronto July 2025. Like our picks? Let us know!
Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.
