Kitchener-Waterloo Comedy Festival
Since its launch in 2010, the Kitchener-Waterloo Comedy Festival has grown into one of Ontario’s most anticipated annual celebrations of stand-up and storytelling — a multi-day event that brings world-class comedians to unexpected places, and reminds audiences that the quickest way to build community is through laughter.
Held each spring in downtown Kitchener and Uptown Waterloo, the festival transforms theatres, bars, and unconventional venues into pop-up comedy clubs. Its mission? To showcase the best of Canadian and international comedy, while making the art form accessible, affordable, and anchored in local spirit.
Over the years, the festival has hosted an all-star roster of comedic voices — from Seán Cullen, Elvira Kurt, Derek Seguin, and Ali Hassan, to writers from The Debaters, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and Just For Laughs. But what makes the KW Comedy Festival unique isn’t just who’s on stage — it’s how they connect with audiences. The vibe is intimate, inclusive, and always rooted in the region’s love for clever, unpretentious entertainment.
At the heart of the festival is its ability to scale — from headliner shows at Centre In The Square, one of Canada’s premier soft-seat theatres, to smaller club-style sets in bars, halls, and even cafés. These varied venues allow audiences to experience comedy in every form, from polished acts to up-close, spontaneous sets where anything can happen.
Kitchener-Waterloo’s rich arts culture and strong support for live performance make it the perfect home for the festival. Crowds come ready to laugh — and to discover new favourites, as many comedians treat the KW Comedy Festival as a proving ground ahead of national tours or TV appearances.
Beyond the punchlines, the KW Comedy Festival is built on collaboration. It frequently partners with local schools, charities, and community organizations, hosting special events and fundraisers that use comedy as a force for good. The festival also helps nurture local comedic talent, offering stage time and exposure for up-and-coming performers from across Waterloo Region.
In a world that can feel increasingly chaotic, the Kitchener-Waterloo Comedy Festival reminds us of something timeless: laughter brings people together. And every March, that spirit takes over the city — one mic, one joke, and one standing ovation at a time.
