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Just For Laughs Vancouver 2025 Announces Full Lineup

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Just For Laughs Vancouver is back for its ninth year, taking over the city for 10 days in February 2025. The festival promises an unforgettable lineup packed with some of the biggest names in comedy.

The announcement of Jerry Seinfeld as the headliner has already sent waves of excitement through fans. The iconic observational humorist will take the stage for two highly anticipated shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Seinfeld’s ability to make the mundane hilarious is unmatched, guaranteeing a night of side-splitting laughter.

Today’s lineup reveal adds even more star power, with acts like Sugar Sammy, Kumail Nanjiani, Margaret Cho, and Tim Dillon joining the mix. Whether you love sharp social commentary, cultural humour, or unfiltered wit, there’s something for every taste.

For those who’ve been following comedy’s rise on social media, the festival bridges the gap between viral content and live performances. Internet favourites like Nurse John, with his high-energy hospital tales, and the chaotic brilliance of Two Idiot Girls bring their unique styles from screens to stages. Be warned: attending The Basement Yard may come with audience participation, so shy fans might want to choose their seats carefully!

Local talent also takes center stage in the “Best of the West” series, highlighting British Columbia’s diverse comedy scene. From hilarious drag brunches to quirky improv skits, these performances showcase the incredible homegrown talent. This year also introduces the Comedy for Community initiative, ensuring comedy reaches even broader audiences.

“For our ninth year, we’re thrilled to deliver another lineup that celebrates both the world’s biggest comedy stars alongside our own Canadian talent,” shares festival director Heather Wallace. “Additionally, through our new Comedy For Community initiative and in collaboration with BCLC’s Community Ticketing Program, we are distributing tickets to non-profits and charitable organizations across BC, ensuring even more fans can connect through the universal language of laughter.”

Here’s the full schedule of performances:
Jerry Seinfeld – February 23, 6:30 pm and 9pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
The Basement Yard – February 20, 7pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Nurse John: The Short-Staffed Tour – February 22, 7pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Sugar Sammy – February 14, 7pm and February 15, 7pm and 9:30 pm at Vancouver Playhouse
Kumail Nanjiani – February 22, 6pm at Vogue Theatre
Tim Dillon – February 14, 7pm at Vogue Theatre
Margaret Cho: Live and LIVID! – February 16, 9:30 pm at Vogue Theatre
Roy Wood Jr. – February 16, 7pm at Vogue Theatre
Pete Holmes – February 21, 7pm at Vogue Theatre
Maz Jobrani – February 13, 7pm at Vogue Theatre
Ashley Gavin – February 20, 7pm at Vogue Theatre
Sofia Niño de Rivera – February 19, 7pm at Vogue Theatre
Harland Williams – February 13, 7pm and 9:30 pm at Rio Theatre
Brian Simpson – February 19, 7pm and February 20, 9:30 pm at Rio Theatre
Preacher Lawson – February 21, 7pm and February 22, 9:30 pm at Rio Theatre
René Vaca – February 15, 7pm at The Commodore Ballroom
Sam Jay – February 20, 7pm and February 21, 9pm at Biltmore
Cabaret Ryan Long – February 21, 9:30 pm and February 22, 7pm at Rio Theatre
Jason Cheny – February 13, 7pm at Vancouver Playhouse
Esther Povitsky – February 15, 7pm at Rio Theatre
Two Idiot Girls Live – February 16, 9:30 pm at Rio Theatre
Laurent Paquin – February 17, 7pm at Rio Theatre
UpDating – February 20, 7pm at Rio Theatre
Jiaoying Summers – February 19, 9:30 pm at Rio Theatre
Irene Tu – February 15, 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Langston Kerman – February 22, 6:45 PM at Biltmore Cabaret
Sabrina Wu – February 16, 9pm at Biltmore Cabaret
The Silver Lining with Gianmarco Soresi – February 18, 9pm at Biltmore Cabaret
The Downside Podcast Live – February 17, 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Sara Pascoe – February 13, 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Erica Rhodes – February 18, 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Jay Jurden – February 20, 9pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Maddy Smith – February 19, 9pm at Biltmore Cabaret
The Ryan and Amy Show – February 16, 5:30 pm at Rio Theatre
Fabrizio Copano (en Español) – February 16, 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Ahren Belisle – February 19, 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Brittany Schmitt – February 15, 9pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Right Now with John Goblikon – February 22, 8:45 PM at Biltmore Cabaret
The Big Magical Cult Show – February 21, 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Tatanka Means – February 14, 6:30 pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Vanessa Gonzalez – February 14, 8:30 pm at Biltmore Cabaret
Alistair Ogden – February 15, 7pm at The Pearl
Raanan Hershberg – February 15, 9pm at The Pearl

Festivals

PNE Summer Night Concerts Announce 2026 Lineup

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PNE Summer Night Concerts 2026

Vancouver’s summer concert calendar is locking into place. The annual Summer Night Concerts are set to return to the Pacific National Exhibition from August 22 through September 7, bringing live music back to one of the city’s biggest seasonal events.

This year carries a bit more weight than usual. The series will debut at the brand-new Freedom Mobile Arch, a 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre built for large-scale performances. The venue promises better sightlines, improved sound, and a more immersive setup for fans. It’s a major shift for the fair, which spent much of last year dealing with construction that limited its footprint and contributed to a drop in attendance.

Now, with the full site back in action, organizers are aiming for a reset. The 2026 lineup leans into that idea, mixing legacy acts with newer names across genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic.

Headliners include Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, The Beaches, Nelly, and Zedd, alongside artists like Mt. Joy, Train, and Barenaked Ladies. Special performances include Cynthia Erivo backed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearances from Punjabi Virsa, Weird Al Yankovic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pierce the Veil, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George & Culture Club.

The full schedule runs nightly:

  • Aug. 22: Blue Rodeo
  • Aug. 23: The Guess Who
  • Aug. 25: The Beaches
  • Aug. 26: Nelly
  • Aug. 27: Zedd
  • Aug. 28: Mt. Joy
  • Aug. 29: Cynthia Erivo with VSO
  • Aug. 30: Punjabi Virsa
  • Sept. 1: Train
  • Sept. 2: Barenaked Ladies
  • Sept. 3: Weird Al Yankovic
  • Sept. 4: Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Sept. 5: Pierce the Veil
  • Sept. 6: Sarah McLachlan
  • Sept. 7: Boy George & Culture Club

Tickets start at $49 plus fees and include admission to the PNE Fair. Presale began April 19, with general on-sale launching April 20 through TicketLeader.

New venue, full fairgrounds, and a lineup that leans both nostalgic and current. After a quieter year, the PNE looks ready to feel busy again.

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Festivals

Phillips Backyard Festival Returns With Chance the Rapper, Father John Misty, and Modest Mouse

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phillips-backyard-2026

Victoria’s summer concert calendar just got a major boost. The Phillips Backyard Music Festival is back, and this year it’s packing everything into one tight, three-day run from July 10–12 at Phillips Brewing & Malting Co..

After spreading across multiple weekends in past years, the 2026 edition trims things down to a single stretch, but the lineup is anything but smaller. Each night is led by a Grammy-winning or nominated act, with Chance the Rapper opening Friday, Father John Misty taking Saturday, and Modest Mouse closing things out on Sunday.

Chance’s booking is a big one. The Chicago artist has never played Victoria before, so expect a rush when tickets drop. Meanwhile, both Father John Misty and Modest Mouse are making long-awaited returns, with neither having played the city in over a decade.

The supporting lineup fills out nicely across the weekend. Friday leans upbeat with Duckwrth, Sophia Stel, Nicky MacKenzie, and DACEY. Saturday brings a mix of local and global names, including Sudan Archives and Victoria favourites Jon and Roy. Sunday wraps with indie staples like Wolf Parade, alongside Angine de Poitrine, Fake Shark, and Darrian Gerard.

Organizers are promising a smoother experience this time around. The space is getting an upgrade, the raised stage is staying, and RFID wristbands are out. There’s even more still to come, with additional artists set to be announced for the returning Music BC stage.

Tickets go on sale March 25 at 10 a.m., with single-day passes at $125 and full weekend access priced at $325. If past years are any indication, waiting is a bad idea.

More information on the festival’s website.

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