Festivals
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Expands 2025 Line-Up, Adding Exciting Local Talent Across All Festival Dates
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival (GOCF) continues to champion fresh voices in comedy and live entertainment, today announcing the addition of a stellar lineup of local talent to each 2025 festival weekend. Showcasing a wide range of performances—from stand-up comedy to music and more—these local acts offer festival goers the chance to discover their next favourite performer, while giving rising stars an opportunity to take the stage at one of North America’s premier outdoor festivals, refining their art, gaining valuable experience, and helping to elevate their careers to the next level.
Joining the previously announced 2025 GOCF weekend lineups in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Calgary, Spokane, and Vancouver, these entertainers bring unique perspectives and high-caliber performances to the festival stages, enhancing the must-see experience of each weekend. This year’s local talent additions features a mix of seasoned and up and coming talent and includes AC-Dixie, Harman B, Backhouse Brass, Rick Bronson, Nathan Chartrey, Cookin’ With Brass, Mama Cutsworth, Delirium Street Party Brass, Sunee Dhaliwal, Dirty Catfish Brass Band, DJ IV, DJ Kav, DJ Matty, DJ O Show, The Drywall Finishing Team, Molly Fi, Chris Griffin, Charles Hall, Brody Jackson, Geoff Kennedy, Noor Kidwai, Sean Lecomber, Leo Martinez Project, Karla Marx, Casey McLain, Todd Ness, Robert Peng, The Reverend Rambler, Robbie Vino, Dale Ward, Jordan Welwood, Paul Woida, Donovan Workun, and Matt Wright.
This year, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is introducing new festival enhancements, including VIP Table service, the exclusive VIP Club, and the Skip+ experience, offering fans more ways to enjoy the festival in style. Additionally, limited 3-day passes for all ticket tiers are available, giving fans the opportunity to secure their spot for the entire weekend.
Since 2021, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, produced by Trixstar LIVE, has donated over $550,000 to local charities across its markets, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and safe environment that highlights all forms of performance comedy. Through the Great Outdoors Community Fund, the festival continues its commitment to supporting local causes, creating job opportunities, and evolving its green event practices, ensuring accessibility for all attendees.
GREAT OUTDOORS COMEDY FESTIVAL – EDMONTON
Kinsmen Park | July 18-20
Friday, July 18 – Tony Hinchcliffe & The Killers of Kill Tony
Saturday, July 19 (Afternoon) – Trailer Park Boys ft. Bubbles & the Shitrockers, with special guest Jeremy Piven
Saturday, July 19 (Evening) – Anthony Jeselnik, Kumail Nanjiani, Michael Che, Nick Kroll
Sunday, July 20 (Afternoon) – Fortune Feimster, Matteo Lane, Ali Macofsky
Sunday, July 20 (Evening) – John Mulaney, Martin Short
Newly Added: AC-Dixie, Harman B, Rick Bronson, Molly Fi, Sean Lecomber, Karla Marx, Dale Ward, Paul Woida, Donovan Workun, Matt Wright
GREAT OUTDOORS COMEDY FESTIVAL – WINNIPEG
Assiniboine Park | July 18-20
Friday, July 18 – Bert Kreischer, Whitney Cummings, Ms. Pat
Saturday, July 19 – John Mulaney, Jim Gaffigan
Sunday, July 20 (Afternoon) – Trailer Park Boys ft. Bubbles and the Shitrockers, with special guest Jeremy Piven
Sunday, July 20 (Evening) – Theo Von, Dusty Slay, Laura Peek
Newly Added: Mama Cutsworth, Dirty Catfish Brass Band, Brody Jackson, Todd Ness, The Reverend Rambler, Jordan Welwood, Matt Wright
GREAT OUTDOORS COMEDY FESTIVAL – HALIFAX
Garrison Grounds | August 7-10
Thursday, August 7 – Matt Rife & Friends
Friday, August 8 – Matt Rife & Friends (Sold Out)
Saturday, August 9 – Jeff Arcuri and Caitlin Peluffo (Afternoon Show – Doors at 12:00 p.m.)
Saturday, August 9 – Bert Kreischer, Whitney Cummings, Ms. Pat
Sunday, August 10 – John Mulaney, Mike Birbiglia, Nick Kroll, Fred Armisen
Newly Added: Backhouse Brass, DJ IV, Geoff Kennedy, Todd Ness, Robbie Vino, Donovan Workun, Matt Wright
GREAT OUTDOORS COMEDY FESTIVAL – CALGARY
Prince’s Island Park | August 22-24
Friday, August 22 – Dr. Phil LIVE! and Mark Normand, featuring Ms. Pat, and Grace O’Malley
Saturday, August 23 – Theo Von, Chelcie Lynn, Kam Patterson (Two Shows)
Sunday, August 24 – Bert Kreischer, Whitney Cummings, Derrick Stroup
Newly Added: Delirium Street Party Brass, Sunee Dhaliwal, DJ Kav, Brody Jackson, Noor Kidwai, Leo Martinez Project, Todd Ness
GREAT OUTDOORS COMEDY FESTIVAL – SPOKANE
One Spokane Stadium | August 22-23
Friday, August 22 – Matt Rife & Friends
Saturday, August 23 – Bert Kreischer, Fortune Feimster, Derrick Stroup
Newly Added: Nathan Chartrey, DJ Matty, The Drywall Finishing Team, Charles Hall, Casey McLain
GREAT OUTDOORS COMEDY FESTIVAL – VANCOUVER
Stanley Park | September 12-14
Friday, September 12 – Bert Kreischer, Whitney Cummings, Derrick Stroup
Saturday, September 13 – John Mulaney, Mike Birbiglia, Nick Kroll, Fred Armisen
Sunday, September 14 (Afternoon) – Trailer Park Boys ft. Bubbles and the Shitrockers, with special guest Jeremy Piven
Sunday, September 14 (Evening) – Tony Hinchcliffe & The Killers of Kill Tony
Newly Added: Cookin’ With Brass, DJ O Show, Chris Griffin, Leo Martinez Project, Todd Ness, Robert Peng, Donovan Workun
Festivals
All Things Go 2026 Reveal Hayley Williams and Mitski Leading D.C. Lineup
All Things Go is rolling back out across multiple cities in 2026, and the Washington, D.C.–area edition is starting to take shape with two major names already locked in: Hayley Williams and Mitski.
The festival returns to Merriweather Post Pavilion from September 25 to 27, expanding into a three-day event with more than 40 artists expected across multiple stages. This year continues the festival’s steady growth from a D.C.-based event into a multi-city run, with stops in New York and Toronto happening.
So far, the early headliner reveal already sets a clear tone: big voices, emotionally heavy songwriting, and artists with cult-like fanbases.
For Mitski, the appearance stands out. She’s been selective about touring around her recent album The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, and previously said she wasn’t planning a traditional, full-scale tour cycle. That makes a festival slot like All Things Go feel intentional.
Hayley Williams, meanwhile, is deep into what fans have been calling “The Hayley Williams Show” era. The Paramore frontwoman has been staging a series of special headline performances in 2026, pulling from her solo catalog (Petals for Armor, Flowers for Vases / descansos, and beyond) with a loose, unpredictable format that leaves room for deep cuts and one-off moments. Her All Things Go set will be one of a handful of these appearances, which have leaned more intimate and artist-driven than a standard tour run.
The pairing makes sense for All Things Go. The festival has built a reputation around female-forward and artist-first lineups, often spotlighting acts that thrive on storytelling and strong fan connection.
The rest of the D.C. lineup is expected to drop May 4, with a presale starting May 6. A New York lineup announcement is set to follow around the same time, keeping the festival’s multi-city rollout tightly synced. Head to All Things Go’s website for more information
If the first two names are any hint, this year’s edition is leaning into artists that pull people in and keep them there.
Festivals
Governors Ball 2026 Release Daily Schedules
The set times are in. Governors Ball Music Festival just dropped its daily schedules for June 5–7, and the usual game begins: mapping your day, picking your battles, and accepting you can’t see everything.
Friday, June 5
Day one leans indie-pop into rap by night. Lorde closes the main stage at 8:30, opposite the tail end of Baby Keem(7:30–8:30). That’s your first big call: polished pop spectacle or Keem’s high-energy set.
Earlier, things get messy in a good way. KATSEYE (6:35–7:30) overlaps with Pierce the Veil (5:30–6:30) bleed, and The Beths (6:00–7:00) sit right in between. Indie fans will feel that pinch.
Midday conflicts are lighter, but The Dare (4:00–4:45) vs. Arcy Drive (3:30–4:15) creates a small fork in the road.
If you’re pacing yourself, the cleanest run is late afternoon into Mariah the Scientist (4:45–5:30), then pick your lane.
Saturday, June 6
Saturday is the most chaotic on paper. Stray Kids headline at 8:30, directly after Kali Uchis (7:30–8:30). That transition is smooth if you stay put.
The real trouble hits earlier. Major Lazer (6:30–7:30) collides with Blood Orange (5:30–6:30) and the start of Amyl and the Sniffers (7:30–8:30). Dancehall vs. alt-R&B vs. punk. Pick a mood and commit.
Mid-card is stacked with clashes: Ravyn Lenae (4:00–4:45) overlaps with Jane Remover (3:30–4:15), and Snow Strippers (4:45–5:30) runs right into Wet Leg (4:45–5:30). That last one is a true coin flip, two buzzy acts at the exact same time.
Sunday, June 7
Sunday might be the strongest day top to bottom. A$AP Rocky closes at 8:45, opposite the end of JENNIE (7:45–8:45) and Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (7:45–8:45). That’s the toughest final hour of the weekend.
The lead-up is just as tight. Dominic Fike (6:45–7:45) overlaps with Clipse (5:45–6:45) and Hot Mulligan (6:15–7:15). Three different crowds, same window.
Earlier, Japanese Breakfast (4:00–4:45) and Holly Humberstone (3:15–4:00) form a nice back-to-back if you stay mobile, but Between Friends (2:30–3:15) cuts into that flow.
The takeaway
Friday is manageable. Saturday is conflict-heavy. Sunday is stacked late.
If you hate missing songs, plan short splits. If you want full sets, accept you’ll miss something big. That’s part of the deal, and honestly, half the fun.