The Nashville Comedy Festival is set to return in 2027 for its 13th year, with shows scheduled across venues ranging from arenas to comedy clubs. The lineup includes Whitney Cummings, Tom Segura, Ron White, Giggly Squad, and many other performers.
The dates are not listed consistently: WZTV reports that the festival runs April 7 through April 18, 2027, while the Ryman Auditorium's event page lists the run as starting April 8. The announced venues include Bridgestone Arena, the Opry House, The Pinnacle, Ryman Auditorium, Marathon Music Works, Zanies Comedy Club, and the Lab at Zanies. The Ryman page describes the event as celebrating its thirteenth year.
The opening dates bring performers to several stages. Tom Segura is scheduled at the Opry House on April 8, the same night Alex Edelman and Ben Folds share the Ryman stage. On April 9, Whitney Cummings performs at Marathon Music Works and Ron White at the Ryman; Jeff Dunham is scheduled at The Pinnacle on April 10. Cummings is a comedian, actress, and podcast host.
A Jam-Packed Ryman Schedule
Ryman dates later in the run include Matteo Lane and Bob the Drag Queen on April 11, Amber Autry on April 16, Michael Blaustein on April 17, and Jeff Allen on April 18. On April 15, Giggly Squad performs at the Opry House while Gianmarco Soresi is at the Ryman.
Bridgestone Arena's April 17 showcase features Ali Siddiq, Mojo Brookzz, and Josh Johnson, with special guests Ms. Pat and Marcus D. Wiley.
Zanies Keeps the Laughs Going Nightly
Zanies Comedy Club and the Lab at Zanies have shows scheduled throughout the festival. Joe List performs on April 8 and 10. On April 12, the lineup includes Nateland Live and a New Material Monday showcase, followed by Hugh Howser and Friends on April 13 and Ben Palmer on April 14.
The later Zanies dates include Bloodline Banter on April 15, Alfred Robles on April 16 and 17, and a showcase tied to The Tonight Show on April 17. Fall Follies is scheduled for April 18. Organizers say more acts and surprise guests will be announced as the festival gets closer.
How Nashville's Comedy Scene Has Grown
The festival has also featured comedians whose later appearances drew large audiences. Tony Hinchcliffe brought Kill Tony to Zanies in 2016 before headlining two nights at Bridgestone in 2025. Nate Bargatze first played the festival at Zanies in 2015 and set its all-time attendance record at Bridgestone in 2023, drawing 19,365 people, according to Nashville Lifestyles.
Nashville Lifestyles reported that the 2025 festival—the eleventh edition—ran for 11 days, from April 3 to April 13. Its lineup included Kill Tony Live, Nikki Glaser, Mark Normand, Jim Jefferies, Adam Ray, and Wanda Sykes. The outlet listed Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, Zanies, The Lab, and The Pinnacle among that edition's venues.
What the Venue Mix—and Tourism Data—Shows
The venue footprint has expanded beyond the major stages: Nashville Lifestyles identified The Pinnacle as the newest venue in the 2025 edition, and the 2027 schedule also includes the Lab at Zanies. According to Zanies Nashville, the Lab opened in Spring 2024 as an intimate 100-seat theater, giving the festival a smaller-room setting alongside its arena and auditorium shows. The broader visitor economy offers context, but not a festival-specific measure. Visit Nashville TN reported that visitors to Davidson County generated a record $11.2 billion in spending in 2024, up 4.17% from 2023. That countywide figure does not estimate the comedy festival's economic impact.
Tickets and Presale Details
The presale is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. with the code NCF2027. General-public tickets are scheduled to go on sale Friday, October 23 at 10:00 a.m.
