This year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from August 1 - 25, but lots of shows, venues and promoters have already announced shows and put tickets on sale. The best shows often sell out well in advance so below I’ve rounded up the big comedy announcements so far…
Comedians at the top of their game have joined the Pleasance’s line-up. Edinburgh Comedy Award Winners Adam Riches and John Kearns (pictured) will be a special highlight in the comedy programme, as they bring their award nominated, 5-star sensation, Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE ‘Ball & Boe’ to the Pleasance Grand for three nights. Ivo Graham is back with a new show Orange Crush. Click here for more Pleasance picks.
Following another hugely successful Fringe programme last year, which included both the Edinburgh Comedy Awards ‘Best Show’ and ‘Best Newcomer’ winners, Monkey Barrel Comedy presents a selection of the most exciting and highly anticipated shows of 2025.
The 2025 programme continues to showcase outstanding local talent, including Sir Billy Connolly Award winner Rosco McClelland, and the hosts of Some Laugh: Marc Jennings, Stephen Buchanan, and Stuart McPherson. Local favourites, and year-round Monkey Barrel regulars, including Liam Withnail, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, Krystal Evans, Tamsyn Kelly, and Sam Lake. The line-up also includes the winners of ‘Best Newcomer’ in 2024 and 2023, respectively, Joe Kent-Walters (pictured below) and Urooj Ashfaq. Click here for more details.
One of the highlights of last year’s Fringe was Garry Starr's Classic Penguins (below). If you missed it he’s back this August too. Read all about Starr’s five star show here.
Gilded Balloon has unveiled more shows for 2025’s Fringe programme, with names including Mhairi Black, Jack Docherty (pictured), Michelle Brasier, Kim Blythe, Christopher Hall, Michelle Collins, Fred MacAulay, and more set to entertain audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The homegrown venue will host acts across comedy, music, theatre, magic and more this year in three different venue hubs. More details here.
Underbelly has a wide range of shows, from cabaret to comedy to podcast stars, including Geoff Norcott’s new show and a run from frank and funny podcast stars Brown Girls Do It Too (pictured below). Details here.
Carl Donnelly brings his new show to Edinburgh before taking it on tour. Last year Carl did a show about how much he’s enjoying life. Then life decided to challenge him on that. Another Round is a chance to join one of the UK’s finest comedians as he brings you up to speed on how he’s settling into being a married, middle-aged father with recurring stomach ulcers, a bald patch and an internet search history that now includes ‘anti-leakage boxer shorts.’ Details here.
And Tom Rosenthal (below) returns to the Fringe for a full run the first time in five years with his new show, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am’. This marks Tom’s return to the festival with a full month long run after five years. Following his run, Tom will also be heading out on tour across the UK and Ireland in 2026, his biggest tour to date. More here.
Rosenthal is one of a number of top acts at the Assembly venues this year. You can also catch many more including David O’Doherty and Jordan Gray (pictured) whpse latest show, Is That a C*ck in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Here to Kill Me?, is sure to cause a flurry of excited reviews. More details here.
Comedy Management and Production Company MZA’s Edinburgh Fringe Line-Up is at the Just The Tonic Nucleus venue. Catch rising star Connor Burns, kilted hero Craig Hill and a work in progress from superstar Daniel Sloss. Links here.
Yes I know, there is plenty more to choose from, including free shows on the Free Fringe. Read beyondthejoke.co.uk to stay up to date with the latest news.