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
HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 – Recap & Photos
The Prudential Center was absolutely buzzing as it hosted the much-anticipated HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026, a classic highlight of New York’s summer music scene. This event is all about bringing together the best of the best in hip hop, rap, and R&B, creating a stage where both rising stars and seasoned veterans can shine.
This year’s lineup was stacked, featuring big names like French Montana, Max B, DaBaby, and G Herbo, promising to be “the biggest party ever to hit an arena.” To keep the party jumping, Hot 97 enlisted the help of legendary on-air personalities Funkmaster Flex, Nessa, and the Mornings with Mero team. As anticipated, the lineup drew a packed house, completely selling out the venue.
Hip Hop heads can go all the way back to the 90s to see just why something like this matters so much to the culture. Over the years, HOT 97 Summer Jam has given us unforgettable moments, from sparking epic rap feuds to reuniting legendary groups. This year was no different, packed with standout highlights. It’s not false advertising to say something iconic will happen on a Summer Jam stage – it’s expected.
One of the biggest moments of the night was Fetty Wap‘s homecoming. The crowd went wild for hits like “679” and “My Way,” though he had to cut his set short because of time limits. As the show rolled on, Yung Miami brought the energy with her summer banger “Spend Dat,” even tossing stacks of cash into the audience, causing a frenzy with everyone trying to stuff their pockets. Emerging artists were also front and center, like Zeddy Will, who energized the crowd from the upper bowl. DaBaby also brought his infectious energy to the crowd as he ran through his catalog, connecting with the fans in a unique way that really elevated the atmosphere.
On a sultry R&B vibe, Mariah the Scientist performed hits like “Is It a Crime” and “Burning Blue,” showcasing her killer stage presence and stunning vocals. The night wrapped up with French Montana, who brought out Max B and Remy Ma to help perform nostalgic Coke Boys favorites like “Unforgettable,” “Stay Schemin,” and “Ever Since You Left Me.” Despite their busy schedules with tours and new music releases, it’s great to see these artists giving back to the culture. They provided fans with a taste of their musical talents while solidifying their place in Summer Jam history. The surprise guests who were not listed on the lineup truly made this showcase unforgettable. We had the chance to see Lola Brooke, Fat Joe, and the entire cast of Zeus Network’s hit show, The Baddies. It truly was the hottest ticket of the weekend.
I just wished we could have partied a little longer. Some acts were unable to hit the stage for the final curtain, but on all accounts, the Hot 97 team delivered a show they can be proud of. HOT 97 Summer Jam 2026 left everyone hyped. Funkmaster Flex hosted the night flawlessly, keeping the energy high and the transitions smooth between acts. You can bet that the fans are already hyped for what next year has in store, eagerly locked into Hot 97 on the radio for the next Summer Jam lineup. I’ll be looking out for that announcement too; I know they are already cooking for 2027.
Check out our favorite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: @GALLERYBYTM | Anthony Grant Photography
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Kaytranada
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE closed out another memorable week on Sunday with the biggest match in world football and a fitting musical finale. Fans packed the site well before kickoff, creating a sea of jerseys, flags, and face paint as they gathered to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. Every big chance was met with gasps and cheers, and when Spain secured the victory, the celebrations spread across the festival grounds as supporters soaked in the final moments of a month-long tournament.
There was little time for the excitement to settle before the day’s entertainment shifted from football to live music. Montreal’s Kaytranada took over the Amphitheatre stage, giving fans one last reason to keep the energy going after the trophy presentation. Known for blending house, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music into a sound that feels uniquely his own, Kaytranada delivered exactly the kind of set the festival needed to close the weekend.
With Spain crowned world champions and Kaytranada providing the soundtrack to the celebration, the FIFA Fan Festival wrapped up another successful day at the PNE. It was a reminder that throughout the tournament, football and music proved to be the perfect combination, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate on and off the pitch.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
KAYTRANADA
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer