The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival

Author Archive

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in January 2025

Posted on: January 7th, 2025 by Virginia Woodall

It’s January – a month of fresh starts, cozy layers, and dreaming of brighter days ahead. The top five comedy shows you should see in Toronto this January are here to warm your soul and chase away those winter blues with laughter as crisp and refreshing as a snowy morning. January has everything you need to kick off the year with humor and joy. So, pour yourself a steaming mug of something comforting (or a cheeky New Year’s cocktail) and dive into this list of the top shows that will keep your spirits high all month long!

THE AFTER PARTY: MUSICAL EDITION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9

This party is the after party you won’t forget! This month’s edition will be filled with music, madness, and laughter! Sketch and musical stylings from the Ghazal Ghiami, Chelsea Larkin, Matt Mccready, Alex Tindal & Laura Cilevitz, The Red Hot Sili Peppers, Basic Pitches, stand-up from Andrew Parker, and music by Rory Grant.

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

SKETCH TO THE DEATH

WEDNESDAYS JANUARY 8, 15, 22, 29

It’s Sketch To The Death! Toronto’s annual (and brutal!) sketch comedy tournament is back! Toronto’s sketch comedy legends battle against each other to win over votes from the audience and judges. Cash prize for the winner, death for the losers! It’s all happening Wednesday nights in January and February at Comedy Bar Danforth.

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

CRINGE MOUNTAIN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12

Come see Toronto’s funniest sketch comedy troupes perform their newest, cringiest material! Performances from: The Understudies, Shrimp Mocktail, Cam Wyllie, Dave Barclay, Friedman & Stew, and Depresh Mode

Wenona Lodge, Tickets and Info

OPEN STAGE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17

For a night of unpredictable hilarity and unbridled creativity, don’t miss Open Stage Night at Sweet Action Theatre this January. This one-of-a-kind event flips the script on the traditional open mic, offering performers the entire stage to showcase their quirkiest and most whimsical acts. From clown and bouffon to improv and heartfelt stories, it’s a playground for seasoned pros and curious newcomers alike. Come ready to laugh, be surprised, and maybe even take a turn in the spotlight yourself!

Sweet Action Theatre, Tickets and Info

TITA COLLECTIVE COMEDY CABARET

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26

Tita Collective: Comedy Cabaret is the latest Tita Collective project, featuring musical improv, brand new songs and reimagined versions of the Titas’ classic hits. This show is a cabaret-style act that brings together storytelling and audience participation. Join the Titas for a fun night or musical comedy, featuring different guests each month!

The Tranzac Club, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s 5 Comedy Shows to see in Toronto January 2025. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com. TOsketchfest is just around the corner – get your 2025 Festival Pass today.

Photo Credit: Alicia Carrick

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in December 2024

Posted on: December 2nd, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

It’s December – a month of twinkle lights, holidays, and festive spirit. Here are our 5 Toronto comedy shows to see in December 2024, a hilarious feast of holiday vibes, bringing belly laughs as warm as your coziest winter socks. December has everything you need to celebrate the season with comedy and laughter. So, grab a hot cocoa (or something stronger) and check out this list of the top five comedy shows you should see in Toronto this December!

SUMMER DAD PRESENTS: 7 QUESTIONS NOT TO ASK OVER THE HOLIDAYS

DECEMBER 11, 15, 17, 19

The holidays are a time spent with loved ones, and with that usually comes a bombardment of questions you’re sick of hearing every time you visit home. Come explore some of these questions, along with other holiday antics in a sketch show with laughs and yuletide spirit set to max.

Comedy Bar Danforth Dec 11, 15, Tickets and Info

Assembly Theatre Dec 17, 19, Tickets and Info

HOLIDAY! AN IMPROVISED MUSICAL

DECEMBER 11-21

Holiday! An Improvised Musical takes its inspiration from Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” to bring you the only party you’ll need. Based on suggestions from the audience, the cast weaves together a series of improvised vignettes and songs exploring love, relationships, work and the true meaning of the season. PLUS this show was a 2024 Dora Award Nominee for Outstanding Production, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble and Outstanding Creative Direction.

Factory Theatre, Tickets and Info

POTATO POTATO’S FOURTH GRADE HOLIDAY PAGEANT EXTRAVAGANZA

DECEMBER 18-19

Your favourite tater tots are back to weaponize their theatre degrees with a holiday themed song-filled sketch revue about politics, climate change, and the hilariously apocalyptic state of the world. In a world obsessed with the US, Potato Potato is here to throw light (and shade) on the Canadian side of the story. Part political satire, part sketch show, and with a generous dose of dread- prepare for recycled props, catchy musical parodies, and surprise visits from your (least) favourite politicians.

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

TORONTO SKETCHFEST COMEDY SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19

We’re kicking off the 20th anniversary festival celebrations with a bang—and a whole lot of laughs—with this showcase featuring SIX incredible local sketch comedy acts! Featuring: CORPSE, Solo Act, The Banana Loafers, King & Kween, Vivek Srikanthan, and MK Morris. Word on the street is Virginia will be rocking a fabulously festive holiday sweater as host. Dust off your winter giggles and get ready for a night of sketch comedy you won’t soon forget!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

A RED HOT SILI HOLIDAY SHOW

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

Toronto’s silliest sketch troupe the Red Hot Sili Peppers are proud to present ‘A Red Hot Sili Holiday Show’. Grab your friends and your spiked and spicy eggnog because this comedy show is one you won’t want to miss! Featuring Sketch, Improv, Stand up, and even some sing-a-longs you’re sure to HO HO-have a good time! 50% of the proceeds going to Nellie’s Shelter so you can spend your Sunday night laughing and feel extra good about it!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s 5 Comedy Shows to see in Toronto December 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in November 2024

Posted on: November 2nd, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

November means we fall back an hour and start to truly embrace the shorter and darker days. Add some light back into the night with incredible comedy shows to see in Toronto. This month has a lot to offer with solo, Clown, dark comedy, classic sketch, and even the SKETCHIEST sketch show of the year. Here’s a list of the top shows that you don’t want to miss!

VIVEK SRIKANTHAN: ONE MAN NO CITY

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

As a solo performer, Vivek was semi-finalist in Toronto’s Sketch to the Death competition, and has performed at Toronto, Montreal & Denver Sketchfests. Directed by Dave Barclay this is a show just waiting for an audience of sketchfest-diehards! Join Vivek as he comedically and painfully pulls apart his life, history, relationships, ethnicity, and family while struggling to understand himself in this meta-fictional, idiotic, self-deprecating solo sketch comedy revue.

Aki Studio, Tickets and Info

CLOWN HOUR

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Get a taste of all kinds of some of Toronto’s most hilarious sketch comedy at this hour of clown. You’ll see Cheap Wine, Jon Blair, Hilarity Strikes, 24 Double B, Sarah Bennett, and Sachin Sharma. That’s a powerhouse lineup with guaranteed laughs ready for their audience!

Tallboys Craft Beer House, Tickets and Info

TORONTO SKETCHFEST COMEDY SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21

We’re getting 20th anniversary festival vibes started early with this showcase featuring SIX local sketch comedy acts: The Understudies, Lower Class Act, Friedman & Stew, Better News Toronto, Spencer Glassman, and Small Friend Tall Friend. Get that sketchfest energy out of hibernation and be prepared to laugh!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

GRIEF IS A JERK

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Comedy is all about taking a look at life and reflecting it back through different perspectives and interpretations. The sadness that wrecks on our emotional, mental, and physical well-being is often avoided in everyday conversations. Upstate NY comedian and producer, Angela, shouts from the stage “Grief is a Jerk!” to acknowledge the real life pain experienced by so many grievers. This hilariously irreverent show is currently running in New York City but is coming to Toronto for one night only!

Bar Cathedral, Tickets and Info

FINE ART: A COMEDY SHOW WITH 24 DOUBLE B

NOVEMBER 27, 28, 29

Winners of the TO Sketchfest 2024 “Sketchiest Sketch Troupe” 24 Double B presents a night of comedy that proves that they are serious artists, thank you very much. It is the lore of the Toronto Comedy Community that this peer-voted award comes with the burden and honour of hosting a Sketchiest Sketch Show before the next TOsketchfest. We will be there and you should be, too!

Division 88, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s Five Comedy Shows to see in Toronto November 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in October 2024

Posted on: October 2nd, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

October has more to offer than just spooky season, it’s also filled with incredible comedy shows to see in Toronto. This month features more festivals, comedy in theatres, and so much great sketch that you don’t want to miss. Here’s a list of the top shows (or series of shows) that you don’t want to miss!

13 PLAYS ABOUT ADHD ALL AT THE SAME TIME

OCTOBER 3rd to 13th

Comedy is an incredibly impactful way to process and reflect the world, perspective, and our inner thoughts. This new show is setting out to do exactly that. It will be a place to learn about some real lived experiences. Join this incredible team as they explore, laugh at, and maybe, hopefully, eventually, learn to accept their beautiful stupid brains.

Assembly Theatre, Tickets and Info

SEX T-REX PRESENTS: D&D LIVE!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6

Sketchfest favourites Sex T-Rex present a monthly unscripted adventure. Experience all the critical hits, the epic fails and jokes jokes jokes from an award-winning cast of comedians with swords. October’s show features the legendary musical direction of Jordan Armstrong and, trust us, you want to be there!

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

TORONTO SKETCHFEST COMEDY SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

We’re gearing up for our 20th anniversary TOsketchfest and are excited to present this showcase featuring SIX sketch comedy acts: Crunchy Tigers Comedy, Pat Gourdeau, Devin Bateson, All Sorts, Erica Gellert, and Cheap Wine. This showcase offers an exciting platform for emerging and seasoned sketch comedians to perfect their craft and film their performances for future festivals. Come on out and make those laugh tracks loud with your energy, cheers, and support!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

PRUDE

OCTOBER 17th to 27th

Lou Campbell’s PRUDE is a stand up set. It’s a drag show. It’s a ted talk gone wrong. The electrifying and hilarious piece hits the stage at the Buddies in Bad Times Cabaret space
for the Next Stage Theatre Festival. Don’t miss out on this fresh, hilarious, and boundary-pushing piece of theatre that’s truly like nothing you’ve ever seen before. PRUDE challenges societal norms and celebrates individuality in a high-energy, thought-provoking performance you won’t want to miss.

Buddies in Bad Times, Tickets and Info

COMEDY IS ART

OCTOBER 22nd to 26th

Five Nights. Eight Shows. 50+ Artists. This series is presented by The Theatre Centre, TOsketchfest’s own festival home since 2015. Get out there and catch all kinds of comedy: Standup, improv, sketch – you’ll find it all here. The mission of these five days to present and advocate for comedy as art resonates dearly with us and we can’t wait to see it. There will be some sketchfest favourites on stage including (but certainly not limited to) Bitty-Bat, Lou Laurence, Small Friend Tall Friend, and Diaspora Darlings.

The Theatre Centre, Tickets and Info

Want to see some comedy while having an autumnal escape from the city?

Comedy Country wraps up October 18th & 19th with its series finale headlined by host of CBC’s The Debaters, Steve Patterson live at The Regent Theatre in Picton, and Stirling Festival Theatre. Click here for tickets and info.

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s Five Comedy Shows to see in Toronto October 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

Learning + Fun: Tips for Great Live Submissions

Posted on: September 24th, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

TOsketchfest kicks off the 2025 Learning + Fun Series with an informative virtual presentation with the TOsketchfest team, and guests from Newfoundland and Labrador Sketch Fest, Philly Sketchfest and Austin Sketch Fest.

Submissions for TOsketchfest25 are open from October 1 – November 10, 2024. Creating a festival submission is a job. Sure, there are the forms and submission fees to navigate, but that’s just the END of a submissions process.

How do you write about your work?
Do you have great photos?
Does your video submission do your work justice?

We thought we’d bring a few festival programmers together to talk a bit about what their festivals are looking for, and to offer tips and insights on what you can do to make your festival submission shine.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT FESTIVAL SUBMISSION?
Date: Wednesday October 9, 6:00-7:00pm Eastern Time
Location: Virtual Session – Zoom
Program Length is approximately 60 minutes
Cost: FREE

Our Guests

Paul Snepsts

Paul Snepsts (he/him) is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. Paul is a passionate advocate for writers and performing artists in comedy. He has fulfilled roles as Canadian talent scout for JibJab Inc., sat on adjudication committees for The Tim Sims Encouragement Awards, The Canadian Comedy Awards, and was Vice President of The Canadian Association of Stand-up, Sketch and Improv Comedians. In his 20 years in working comedy Paul has watched a LOT of festival submissions.

Stef Curran

Stef Curran (she/they) is a comedian and writer based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and is the Director of Communications for the newly formed Newfoundland and Labrador Sketch Fest. Curran has been performing for over thirteen years but has concentrated her focus on comedy over the last six years. Curran has done comedy outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, including Toronto Sketch Festival and Chicago Sketch Fest at Stage 773, and virtually reaching audiences all over the world on Tik Tok (rawstefc) where she produces short comedic sketches for 28,000 followers. Curran, along with Mom’s Girls, has co-written and acted in Tales from the Floordrobe, which is a children’s TV show funded and available now to watch on Bell Fibe, TV1, and will be starring along Mom’s Girls member Andie Bulman in the new Bell Fibe show Casting which will be airing this fall.

Josh Higham

Josh Higham is a producer with Philly Sketchfest. He is the creator and host of My First Sketch, where he interviews sketch comedians from all over North America. In Philly, he works on the bi-monthly shows, Cutthroat Sketch, Cavalcade, and the soon-to-debut Theme Park. Most recently, he performed sketch comedy under the moniker Mean Sparkle.

Carolyn Kelleher

Carolyn Kelleher (she/her) is the Creative Director of Austin Sketch Fest and a writer-director-producer-comedian-and-self-proclaimed-multi-hyphenate in Austin, Texas. Carolyn regularly performs stand up, sketch, and improv comedy with troupes Folxxx and (B Iden Payne nominated) Mother Wound.

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in September 2024

Posted on: September 4th, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

September is the time to head back to school and for some of us, it was always the most exciting time of the year. The leaves changing, the air getting crisp and fresh, and reuniting with friends we didn’t get to see all summer. Well this year the fall season also kicks off with So. Many. Great. Comedy. Shows! Here are TOsketchfest’s Picks for Live Comedy in Toronto this September!

HOT SOUP PRESENTS: THE AFTER PARTY

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

The After Party is a variety show with a little bit of a lot of great comedy. This month features Improv, Musical Improv, Stand-up, and Sketch! Tough day at work? Come to the After Party. Bad date? The AP is here for you. Hate your kids? Don’t bring them to the AP. Don’t have a party to go to before? That’s okay. Everyone is welcome at this AP.

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

TORONTO SKETCHFEST COMEDY SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Are you like us and going through some Sketchfest withdrawal and having a hard time waiting until March for more of that energy?! Join us for a dose of hilarity and creativity at our brand new Sketch Comedy Showcase. It will be a vibrant stage where local troupes bring their freshest and funniest material to life! As we gear up for the 20th anniversary of the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival in 2025, this showcase offers an exciting platform for emerging and seasoned sketch comedians to perfect their craft and film their performances for future festivals. Come on out and make those laugh tracks loud with your energy, cheers, and support!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

THE BEST COMEDY SHOW IN TORONTO IN 80 YEARS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

The Best Comedy Show in Toronto in 80 Years is a daytime/nighttime variety talk show experience. Hosts Melanie Dahling & Laura McLean present sketch, stand-up, and improv from the following acts: Brain Frogs, Legally Brown, Two 2 Mango, Spencer Glassman, Rena Taylor, Alex Kolanko, Chris Leveille, Jesse Northey, and Conrad Osei. Add this one to the schedule!

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

WHAT THE FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 26, 27, 28, 29

WTFestival is back this month with a whole schedule of live entertainment that makes you go ‘WTF’ – but in a good way. From delicious drag shows, playful puppet pieces, charming clown acts, and bold bouffon, they’ve got it all. Get out there and check out some wild and wonderful performances!

Youngplace, 180 Shaw St, Tickets and Info

BESTIE FEST

SEPTEMBER 27, 28, 29

Bestie Fest is a brand new 3-day comedy festival, featuring panels, parties & comedy shows showcasing the best of Toronto’s comedy scene. You can see all styles of comedy, including stand-up, sketch, music, drag, and more! Bring your besties, and your besties’ besties – there’s something for everyone.

The Drake Hotel, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out TOsketchfest’s Five Comedy Shows to see in Toronto September 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

5 Toronto Comedy Shows to See in August 2024

Posted on: August 9th, 2024 by Virginia Woodall

It’s August – the month that still feels hot and steamy like summer, but with some added fall vibes as we eagerly anticipate our first pumpkin spiced drink. Here are some incredible comedy shows to check out while you soak up the final weeks of summer in the city!

GILLIAN BARTOLUCCI

WED, AUGUST 21 & THU AUGUST 22

Gillian delivers a batch of tried-and-true skits along with a couple of fresh new bits! Hot monologues sent straight to your face at a talking speed that verges on panic-inducing. She does it all, and usually in one breath! It’s a night of esteemed solo sketch comedy; you will laugh in such good taste!

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

COMEDY RECORDS PRESENTS COURTNEY GILMOUR LIVE ALBUM RECORDING

THU, AUGUST 22 & FRI, AUGUST 23

Courtney Gilmour is an award winning comic, a television writer, amputee, and finalist on Canada’s Got Talent. She has been featured on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, Just For Laughs, and CBC.

Her debut album “Let Me Hold Your Baby” was nominated for Comedy Album Of The Year at the 2023 JUNO awards and she’s back to record another one for the running! Be part of the LIVE album taping August 22nd and 23rd presented by Comedy Records and featuring a few special guests to open the show! If this one doesn’t get the JUNO she is certified in First Aid training and is available for babysitting services.

Come put your biggest laughs on record to play on SiriusXM! It’s going to be a hot show and will sell out so grab a ticket ASAP!

Comedy Bar Bloor, Tickets and Info

THE SKETCH SHOW

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

Some of Toronto’s best and emerging comedians perform a bunch of ‘Little Funny Plays’ at the largest sketch comedy show in the city. With a lineup you can’t even fit on paper, get ready for laugh after laugh as each act only has 5 minutes to entertain!

The Rivoli, Tickets and Info

HILLARY YASS IS A…MISERABLE OLD WHITE WOMAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29

You don’t want to miss Hillary Yaas’ new show about that time she got called a miserable old white woman, and how she now self identifies as one! Filled with songs, parody, improv, sketch and BINGO!

Comedy Bar Danforth, Tickets and Info

FRINGE IS FUNNY SERIES

FRI, AUGUST 30 & SAT, AUGUST 31

We spent a lot of time talking about Fringe last month, so let’s keep the shine on a coulpe standout shows. Bad Dog Theatre brings you the Fringe is Funny Series featuring COLONIAL CIRCUS and 1 SANTOSH SANTOSH 2: TOSH FINDS HIS GROOVE. It’s a two-for-one recommend!

Assembly Theatre, Tickets and Info

Want to see more funny in the city?

Thanks for checking out our 5 Comedy Shows to See in Toronto in June 2024. Like our picks? Let us know! Have a show you would like us to know about? Contact info@torontosketchfest.com.

Need a break from the city this month?

Visit Comedy Country on August 9 for Comedy on the Moira and August 10 for Comedy at the Cider House for two unforgettable evenings of live comedy at a couple incredible venues! Tickets and Info

Tickets

Upcoming Shows

The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival

SUBSCRIBE

You have Successfully Subscribed!