Please confirm all details before leaving home in case something’s changed! Shows to add? Please email me at temewring@gmail.com. Wishing you laughter every day! This list’s goal is to help make that happen with events for every day of the year. I add frequently, so check back. Infinite thanks always to the Chicago comedy community for being so exceptionally talented, original and kind. You make this site possible.
JANUARY
January 1: New Year, New Laughs at Zanies Rosemont
January 1: New Year, New Jokes at Lincoln Lodge
January 1: The Chicago Comedy Awards featuring Gabe “Gabby” Sklan & Keiter Liriano, Juanny Arellano, Cyntisha Coats, Samantha Nieves at Lincoln Lodge
January 1: Josh Johnson 24-Hour Stand Up Livestream on YouTube. Compilation of all sets released in 2025 + live interaction.
January 1-3: The Practical Theatre Holiday Revue Quick Before We’re Cancelled! at Studio5, Evanston
January 2-3: Steve Trevino at The Improv, Schaumburg
January 4: Femme Feedback at BABS Comedy Club, Forest Park
January 5: The Stand-Up Show at Second City
January 6: Faulty Towers The Original Dining Experience at the Marriott Bonvoy Renaissance.Thru Jan. 18. Tues.-Sun.
January 7: The Comedy Gazelle Awards (The Gazellies) at The Den Theatre
January 8: Johnny Pemberton presents Minnesota Reggae Colostomy Bag at The Den Theatre
January 8: Cody Smith at The Den Theatre
January 8-10: Erica Rhodes at Zanies Rosemont
January 8-10: Ramy Youssef at The Hideout
January 9: Paul Farahvar & Friends at Laughing Academy, Glenview
January 9-10: Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers at Thalia Hall
January 9-11: Jamie Kennedy at The Improv, Schaumburg
January 11: Nick Colletti at The Den Theatre
January 11: Wicked Sing Along Drag Brunch at The Improv, Schaumburg
January 12: Fandom of the Opera ftr members of Phantom touring cast members at BABS Comedy Club. Benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
January 13: Paul Chowdhry Artificial Indian Tour at Park West
January 14: The Humboldt Jungle Pop-Up at Zanies Chicago
January 14: Aaron Putnam at The Comedy Vault, Batavia
January 15: Denise Medina hosts Sharron Palm, Jeff Warren & special guest Michael Land at Hot Bits at the Beach at Round Lake Beach
January 15: Bill Gorgo, Richard Laible, Dr. Bill Miller, Peter Lipsey Leave It to Geezers at The Wilmette Theatre
January 15: Taskmaster Live On Stage at The Riviera
January 15: Mark Curry at City Winery
January 15-17: Nathan Macintosh at Zanies Chicago
January 15-18: DeRay Davis at The Improv, Schaumburg
January 16: Sean Flannery’s Blackout Diaries at Lincoln Lodge
January 16: Irene Tu at The Den Theatre
January 16: Joe Torry at City Winery
January 17: Dr. Bill Miller at Comedy Plex, Oak Park
January 17: Derry Queen at Color Club Ballroom. Tomorrow Never Knows Festival.
January 17: Brian Regan at The Chicago Theatre
January 18: Steven Springer hosts Michelle Krajecki, Tim Slagle, Larry Izzo, Lynette Charity, Joan Scannell, Brian Atkinson Early Bird Special at Laugh Factory
January 19: The Standup Show at Second City
January 20: Gwen Rose & Bronwyn Galloway Trauma Dumping … A Hilarious Comedy Show at Lincoln Lodge
January 21: Vic Pandya & Friends at Laughing Academy, Glenview
January 21-24: Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger Doughboys Live Podcast at The Den Theatre
January 22: Jeff Mauro at City Winery
January 22: Anthony Rodia Laugh Till It Hurts Tour at The Genesee Theatre, Waukegan
January 22-April 19: Family Guy Drunken Clam Popup Experience presented by Bucket Listers
January 23-24: Big Jay Oakerson at The Improv, Schaumburg
January 22-24: Josh Wolf at The Comedy Vault, Batavia
January 23: Bren Tran Consider My Heart Stopped at iO
January 23: Matt Lopes at Color Club Ballroom. Tomorrow Never Knows Festival.
January 23: Maggie Winters at Color Club Ballroom. Tomorrow Never Knows Festival.
January 23-24: Mario Adrion at Zanies Rosemont
January 23: Melani Sanders We Do Not Care Club Book Tour at Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, Naperville
January 24: Jimmy Carrane & Laura Hugg “We Are Not A Glum Lot” The Recovery Show at Laughing Academy, Glenview
January 24: Laughing Academy 15th Anniversary Stand Up Special with Tyler Fowler, Jimmy Carrane, Vic Pandya, Laura Hugg at Laughing Academy, Glenview
January 24: Aziz Ansari at The Genesee Theatre, Waukegan
January 24: Going Down with Ella Yurman at Color Club Ballroom. Tomorrow Never Knows Festival.
January 25: Jennette McCurdy at The Athenaeum
January 26: Paul Farahvar Stand Ups, Sit Down at Laugh Factory
January 27: Laugh Yoga at Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery
January 28: Kellye Howard at The Vixen, McHenry
January 28: Tori Piskin at Zanies Chicago
January 29: Marilee at Comedy Plex, Oak Park
January 29: Love & Laughter with Jeff Allen at The Improv, Schaumburg
January 30: Alex Joyce hosts Jeanie Doogan & headliner Sean Flannery at Laughs for the Little Ones A fundraiser for Oak Park Friends School at Comedy Plex, Oak Park
January 30: Chris Gethard Beautiful/Anonymous Live at The Hideout
January 30: Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood Asking for Trouble at The Genesee Theatre, Waukegan
January 30-31: Michael Winslow at Comedy Vault, Batavia
January 30-31: Kevin Nealon at The Den Theatre
January 31: #IMOMSOHARD The Flashback Tour at The Genesee Theatre, Waukegan
January 31: Therapy Players at Skokie Theatre
January 31: David Spade I Got a Feel For It at The Riviera
January 31: Kathleen Madigan The Day Drinking Tour at The Chicago Theatre
January 31: Cristela Alonzo at The Vic
January 31: Ralphie Roberts hosts Katie Meiners & headliner Tim Harrison at Boughton Ridge, Bolingbrook
January 31: Patti Vasquez hosts Dwayne Kennedy, Joe Kilgallon, Soli Santos & headliner Hal Sparks at Dino’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant. RAGE comedy FUN-raiser to benefit Indivisible Elk Grove Township.
FEBRUARY
February 1: Andrew Huff hosts 20×2 What Can You Do? at Gman Tavern
February 1: Darci Lynne & Friends Up Close and Personal at The Den Theatre
February 2: Reduced Shakespeare Co. Live Podcast with August Tichenor, Mick Napier, Jennifer Estlin 1000th Episode at The Annoyance
February 3: Lindsay Williams hosts improv open mic workshop at Bughouse Theater
February 4: Ladylike at Lincoln Lodge
February 5: Land Back Laughs A Native American Comedy Show with Trish Cook, Paul Garcia, Damon Howard at Comedy Plex, Oak Park
February 5: Isabel Hagen with Adam Muller at City Winery
February 6: Tyler Fowler & Friends at Laughing Academy, Glenview
February 6: Jay Leno at The Genesee Theatre, Waukegan
February 6: James Acaster at The Chicago Theatre
February 6-7: Matthew Broussard at The Den Theatre
February 6-7: 8th Annual TK Kirkland Takeover at Riddles, Alsip
February 6-7: Bobcat Goldthwait at The Comedy Vault, Batavia
February 7: Hecklers Happy Hour at Lincoln Lodge
February 7: Hannah Berner None of My Business Tour at The Chicago Theatre
February 8: Harold Night at iO
February 9: The Moth Chicago Story Slam Love Hurts at The Den Theatre
February 10: So This Sucks Annual Anti-Valentine’s Day Show from About Last Night at The Den Theatre
February 11-12: Colin Quinn at The Den Theatre
February 13: Dae Dae Howell, Casey Larwood, Delilah Orizaba & headliner Rachel May Galentine’s Day Standup & Candlemaking at BABS Comedy Club, Forest Park
February 13: Brandon Berman and Harrison Forman’s UpDating at The Vic
February 13-14: Tommy Brennan at Zanies Chicago
February 13-15: Josh Johnson The Flowers Tour at The Chicago Theatre
February 14: Jessica Kirson at The Riviera
February 14: Sheryl Underwood, Rod Man, Michael Colyar, J. Anthony Brown, George Willborn at The Auditorium Theatre
February 14: George Lopez at The Genesee Theatre, Waukegan
February 15: Steven Springer hosts Cynthia Levin, Chevy Debbie, Audrey Mistor, Ree Ledbetter, Gerry Grothues, Matthew Burger at The Early Bird Special at Laugh Factory
February 16: AJ Leidig, Saku Yanagawa, Sarah Perry Chicago’s Best Stand Ups at Laugh Factory
February 17: Mojo Brookzz at Zanies Rosemont
February 18: Pat Balduc & John Gasper host Crowdwork Wednesday at Comedy Bar
February 19: Todd Glover’s Stand Up Throw Down – Millennials vs Gen X at Zanies Rosemont
February 19: The Morning Mix LIVE! The Podcast with Chris, Nikki & Whip at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie
February 19: Nate Bargatze at BMO Center, Rockford
February 20: Nate Bargatze at BOS Center, Springfield
February 20: Brian Babylon at Comedy Plex, Oak Park
February 20: Films of Buster Keaton with live improvised musical score by Larry Schanker and special guests Victoria Zielinski & Paul Barrosse at Studio5, Evanston
February 19-21: Jim Gaffigan Everything is Wonderful at The Chicago Theatre
February 19-21: Brian Posehn at The Comedy Vault, Batavia
February 21: Nicole Byer Special Taping at The Den Theatre
February 21: Deanna Ortiz’ Funny Slut at Lincoln Lodge
February 21: Alfred Robles at The Vic
February 22: Ed Gamble at The Den Theatre
February 23: Paul Farahvar’s Stand Ups, Sit Down with John Roy at Laugh Factory
February 24: Ten Dollar Comedy at Second City
February 25: Jerry Hamedi & Brandon Kieffer VOUCH at Laugh Factory
February 25: Bert Walpack, DMD’s Laughocaine Dental Comedy Show at Lincoln Lodge
February 26: Martin Short with Jim Flannigan & Bridget McGuire at H Foundation’s Comedy For Cancer at Tivoli Theatre, Downers Grove
February 26: Annie Rauwerda Depths of Wikipedia at The Vic
February 26-28: Maria Bamford at The Den Theatre
February 27: Adam Burke, Kristen Toomey, Joe Kilgallon Dublin’ Over With Laughter at Chief O’Neill’s
February 27: Kevin Farley at Comedy Plex, Oak Park
February 27: Vir Das Hey Stranger at The Chicago Theatre
February 28: Kait Carmody hosts Adam Burke & Maggie Winters at Gaelic Park.
February 28: Sherry Shepherd at The Vic
February 28: Rene Vaca at The Chicago Theatre
MARCH
March 1: Mary Beth Barone Galaxy Brain Tour at Park West
March 1: Joy Gamby’s Little Red Writing Room at Red Room Comedy Club
March 1: Brandon (Hotsauce) Glover hosts Marlon Mitchell & Mike Samp at Privilege Lounge
March 2: Super Six Showcase at Zanies Chicago
March 3: Samir Abdul hosts Jokes for Sudan: A Benefit Show at Zanies Chicago
March 4: Ladylike at Lincoln Lodge
March 5: Dustin Nickerson at Zanies Chicago
March 5: Darcy & Jer Average at Best at The Riviera
March 6: BABS Owner Emily Ramirez hosts Dina Lewis, Jesnaira Baez, Orly K.G. & headliner Mo Good at BABS, Forest Park
March 6: Nimesh Patel With All Due Respect Tour at The Vic
March 6-7: Bridget Everett & The Tender Moments at The Riviera
March 6: Kristin Key 2026 Ca-Caw Tour at The Den Theatre
March 6: Frankie Quinones Good Vibes Only Tour at Park West
March 7: Funny Ladies of a Certain Age Carole Montgomery, Leighann Lorde, Tammy Pescatelli at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, Skokie
March 7: Lucy Darling You’re Welcome featuring Mark Ettinger at The Chicago Theatre
March 8: Hello Deli with Jan Slavin, Charlene Brooks, Carla Gordon, Beckie Menzie, Judy Rossignol Rice, Patricia Salinski at the Skokie Theatre
March 8: Max Amini at The Chicago Theatre
March 9: Eunji Kim’s It’s Funny Cuz I’m From … at The Annoyance
March 9: Comedy at The Levee at The Levee
March 10: Anthony Bonazzo at Zanies Chicago
March 11: Adam Burke hosts Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me Comedy Grab Bag at The Den Theatre
March 11: Tony Rock & John Grimes at City Winery
March 12: Paul Farahvar at Zanies Chicago
March 12: Kellye Howard hosts Josh Ocean Thomas, Kristen Toomey, Arlieta Hall in MS’ing Around FUNdraiser to benefit MS and autoimmune research at Laugh Factory
March 12: Ana Belaval, Mike Toomey & Jeff Hoover at The Tivoli Theatre, Downers Grove
March 12-13: Jaqueline Novak at The Den Theatre
March 13: Justin Ripple hosts Kelly Manno, The Professor, Nick Harrison, Dadbod Veteran, The Real Slim Sherry Gen X Takeover Comedy Tour at The Vic
March 13-14: Bobcat Goldthwait at The Comedy Vault, Batavia
March 14: Rory Scovel Know Your Enemy Tour at The Vic
March 15: Steven Springer hosts Harry Hickstein, Rachel Labant, Linda Marcus Smith, Ed Kerfin, Tim Watson, Judge Bill Taylor in Early Bird Special at Laugh Factory
March 15: Jimmy Carrane & Johnnie Hildreth with Rick Hall & Pat Musker at Bughouse Theater
March 16: Eunji Kim’s It’s Funny Cuz I’m From … at The Annoyance
March 17: Read the Room: A Literary Competition Comedy Show at Lincoln Lodge
March 18: Pat Baldoc & John Gasper host Crowd Work Wednesday at Comedy Bar
March 19, 20-22: OWARAI The Best Comedy From Japan in English at Second City. Free shows.
March 20: Mae Martin The Possum at The Riviera
March 20: Craig Ferguson Pants on Fire at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, Skokie
March 20: Gary Owen No Hard Feelings Tour at The Chicago Theatre
March 21: Special Comedy Show & Fundraiser Event at The Home Comedy Theater
March 21: Girls Girls Girls Live (Women’s Month Sketch Show) at Bughouse Theater
March 21: Trixie & Katya at The Chicago Theatre
March 22: Andrew Jupin, Eric Szyszka, Stephen Sajdak, and Chris Cabin We Hate Movies at The Den Theatre
March 22: Casey The Icon hosts Ohjay Lamont, Sheldon Calhoun, Steven Black, Zach Albert at The Bad Kids Comedy Show at Wild Hare
March 23: The Armando Diaz Experience at iO
March 24: Musical Improv Jam at The Annoyance
March 25: Jerry Hamedi & Brandon Kieffer’s VOUCH! at Laugh Factory
March 26, 29: Emily Catalano at Zanies Chicago
March 27: Myk Kaplan with Sara Benicasa at Space Time Chicago
March 27-28: Emily Catalano at Zanies Rosemont
March 27-28: Gary Vider at Zanies Chicago
March 27-28: Christina P. at The Den Theatre
March 27-28: Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen AC2 at The Chicago Theatre
March 28: Margaret Cho Choligarchy at The Vic
March 29: Catieosaurus Wildly Unprepared at City Winery
March 30: Adam Nate Levine at Zanies Chicago
March 31: Kevin & Hell Comedy Special Screening at Lincoln Lodge
March 31-April 2: Scott Dikkers’ Funny Con at Lincoln Lodge
APRIL
April 1-2: Scott Dikkers’ Funny Con at Lincoln Lodge. March 31-April 2.
April 2-5 Lil Rel Howery at Comedy Bar
April 3-4: Shane Gillis at United Center
April 4: Laura Hugg’s FaHAHAsion Show at BABS Comedy Club, Forest Park
April 4: Elaine Golden, Christine Ferrera, Susana Rodriguez, Becca Tham, Katie Kinkaid Loaves & Witches at Lavender Lounge
April 3-5: Tina Friml at Zanies Chicago
April 6: Liam Nelson at Zanies Chicago
April 7: Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen
April 8: The Humboldt Jungle x Sam Miller at Evanston Space
April 9: Kevin Ryan and H. Foley’s Are You Garbage Back on the Block Tour at The Vic
April 9-11: Jane Lynch & Kate Flannery in The Trouble With Angels at Steppenwolf
April 10: Mohanad Elshieky at The Den Theatre
April 10: Chelsea Handler The High and Mighty Tour at The Chicago Theatre
April 11: Nick Cobb at Laughing Academy, Glenview
April 11: Andrew Dice Clay & Jon Lovitz at The Genesee, Waukegan
April 11: George Harris El Pueblo de Uno at The Chicago Theatre
April 12: Jimmie Carrane & Johnnie Hildreth w/Ashley Whitehurst, Ann Marie Trepkowski, and Disney Channel Originals at Bughouse Theater
April 12: Femme Feedback at BABS Comedy Club, Forest Park
April 13: The Moth StorySlam at The Den Theatre
April 14: The 114th Mainstage Revue at Second City. New show – watch it develop!
April 15: Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s
April 16: Mo Gilligan at House of Blues
April 16: Jonathan van Halem at Color Club
April 16-17: Michael McIntyre Hello America! at The Chicago Theatre
April 17: Elaine Golden LIVE One Night Only at Lincoln Lodge
April 17: Heroes Off Duty at The Vic
April 18: 1/2 Way to the Latina Comedy Festival Fundraiser! With Janice Rodriguez, Jillian Ebanks, Soli Santos, Alicia Molina, Jess Martinez, Jessi Realz, Evie Cato, Christina Gutierrez, Delilah Orizaba, Kat Diaz, Anna Lucero, Casey Larwood & More Top Chicago Latina Comedians at Lincoln Lodge
April 18: Susan Messing’s Messing With A Friend with special guest John Lehr at The Annoyance
April 18: Psychotic Break at Cole’s Bar. Produced by Jenn Sodini, Dan Shapiro, Mason Johnson. Free show.
April 18: Felipe Esparza at Rosemont Theatre
April 18- May 24: Jason Alexander directs Fault at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
April 19-May 10: Brendan Hunt’s The Movement You Need at Steppenwolf
April 18: Michelle Buteau at The Chicago Theatre
April 19: Steven Springer hosts DD Ingram, Eileen Nolton, Robert Holloway, Sharkie, Sandra Risser, Joe Scrocca Jr. at Early Bird Special at Laugh Factory
April 19: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend 10(ish) Year Reunion at The Chicago Theatre
April 19: Steel Panther at The Des Plaines Theatre
April 20: Monsters of Tokyo at Zanies Chicago
April 21: Lindsay Williams hosts Sketchtest at Bughouse Theater
April 22: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong Parks and Rec Author Talk at American Writers’ Museum
April 23-25: Maddy Smith at The Comedy Vault, Batavia
April 24: Emily Fury Daly, Dan Garcia, Christian Royce & Headliner Nick Cobb benefitting Community Fridge Project at BABS Comedy Club, Forest Park
April 24: Akaash Singh Generational Triumph Tour at The Chicago Theatre
April 25: Pat & Amy Tomasulo’s Laugh Your Face Off Benefit for Facial Pain Foundation at Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier
April 24-25: Kevin Farley at Zanies Rosemont
April 25: Subhah Agarwal’s Dream Elephant one night only! at Lincoln Lodge
April 25: Zarna Garg Million Dollar Excuses at The Riviera
April 25-26: Jaboukie Young-White at Color Club. Tickets going fast.
April 26: 20×2 Was It Worth It? at Gman Tavern
April 27: Shotgun Wedding & Trigger Finger at $10 Improv Night at iO
April 28: Orly K.G., Lucy Ferrante, Chris Bader, Claire Sundbye at Fresh Faces of Chicago at Laugh Factory
April 29: Hannibal Buress at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, Skokie
April 30: Dewayne Perkins How Being Black And Gay Made Me Better Than You! at The Den Theatre
April 30: Tom Papa Grateful Bread Tour at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, Skokie
MAY
May 1: Jessi Realz hosts Evie Cato, Susana Rodriguez, Christina Gutierrez & headliner Janice Rodriguez in Las Locas Comedy at BABS Comedy Club, Forest Park
May 2: Matteo Lane We Gotta Catch Up at The Chicago Theatre
May 2: Rayna Greenberg Honestly, It’s You at The Den Theatre
May 2: Katt Williams at United Center
May 2: Dog Man The Musical at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie. Family-friendly.
May 7: Sooshi Mango The Homemade Tour at The Athenaeum
May 8: Naomi Watanabe From Tokyo at The Vic
May 8-9: Cook County Social Club at iO
May 10: Diljit Dosanjh at Allstate Arena
May 15-17: Emma Willman at Zanies Chicago
May 16: Matt McCusker Healing Frequency Tour at The Riviera
May 17: David Sedaris at The Auditorium Theatre
May 18: Mom’s Night Out with the Mama’s Den at City Winery
May 23: Monique Marvez at The Hobart Theater, Hobart, IN
May 28: Comedy Bang Bang! Ground Beefing Tour at The Chicago Theatre
May 29: David Spade at The Coronado, Rockford
May 30: Bobby Lee The Finally Tour at The Chicago Theatre
JUNE
June 7: Justin Willman One For the Ages Tour at The Vic
June 13: Nate Bargatze Big Dumb Eyes World Tour at Allstate Arena, Rosemont
June 14: Joe Avati at The Des Plaines Theatre
June 18: The Kevin Langue Show at The Chicago Theatre
June 27: Weird Al Yankovic Bigger & Weirder at United Center
JULY
July 2: Steve Hofstetter Begin Again (Steve’s Version) at The Den Theatre
July 10-11: Ms. Pat at The Improv, Schaumburg
July 11: John Mulaney Mister Whatever at Wrigley Field. First (intentional) comedy show at Wrigley Field
July 19: Maz Jobrani at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
July 23-26: Martin Amini at The Den Theatre
AUGUST
August 7-9: Tiffany Haddish at The Improv, Schaumburg
August 12-16: Alex Edelman What Are You Going to Do? at Steppenwolf
August 22: Desi Banks Your Favorite Cousin at The Vic
August 28: Iliza Shlesinger at Hard Rock Cafe, Rockford
SEPTEMBER
September 17: Eddie B If These Classroom Walls Could Talk Tour at The Vic
September 25: Laura Ramoso The Calm Down Tour at The Chicago Theatre
OCTOBER
October 1-3: Matthew Broussard at The Comedy Vault, Batavia
October 7-8: The Ghostbusters in Concert at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, Skokie
October 16: Brad Williams The Tall Tales Tour at The Chicago Theatre
October 17: Ben Schwartz & Friends 2026 Improv Tour at The Chicago Theatre
October 23: Randy Feltface Gimmick at The Vic
October 23-24: Harland Williams at The Comedy Vault, Batavia
October 24: Maria Bamford at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie
October 25: Matt Rife at United Center
October 29: William Shatner at Rialto Square Theater, Joliet
NOVEMBER
November 6: Phoebe Robinson Feral & Fired Up at Thalia Hall
November 12-14: Kevin Nealon at The Comedy Vault, Batavia
November 13-14: Nikki Glaser The Stunning Tour at The Chicago Theatre
November 22: Daniel Sloss Bitter at The Auditorium Theatre
November 23-24: Kyle Kinane at Thalia Hall. Presale code: 26KINANESGIVING26
DECEMBER
December 11: Kathy Griffin New Face, New Tour at The Riviera
December 11: Perritos Only Presents: That’s Not Me Comedy Tour at The Vic
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