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Sylvain Parent-Bédard at Just For Laughs press conference in Montreal on May 8, 2025.
Culture
Just For Laughs Returns To Montreal in 2025 Under New Ownership
Financial troubles caused the cancellation of the famed comedy fest last year, but it returns, under new ownership, in July. Headliners include Tom Segura, Russell Peters, Kumail Nanjiani and Mae Martin, plus all the well-known club show brands.
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Just For Laughs is back in Montreal.
The long-running and influential comedy festival has announced its return for summer 2025 after a tumultuous few years.
The 2024 edition of JFL was cancelled, and, as reported in Billboard Canada in March 2024, the festival's parent company, Groupe Juste pour rire inc. (JPR), filed for creditor protection to avoid bankruptcy. The company also reportedly laid off around 75 employees, or 70% of its staff. It was part of a bigger trend of festivals facing existential issues.
Later in 2024, JFL was taken over by a new owner, ComediHa!, since rebranded as the Just For Entertainment Group, described in a press release as a company that "since its foundation in 1997, has established itself as an international leader in creating a world of entertainment."
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In announcing the rebirth of JFL, Sylvain Parent-Bédard, Just For Laughs president and CEO, stated that "Just For Laughs is back — and this moment is one of true gratitude. As we find our voice again, we do so with heart, humility, and profound gratitude. To all the artists, agents, managers, producers, broadcasters, sponsors, governments, and — more than anyone — the fans who support us and believe in the power of laughter: thank you. This return isn’t ours alone. It’s a collective achievement. A shared belief that comedy has the power to unite, soothe, and inspire — now more than ever. Let’s keep building, together. Let’s keep laughing, together.”
JFL will run July 16-27 at multiple Montreal locations and venues, including the Quartier des Spectacles, Place des Arts, Le Gesù, L’Olympia, Théâtre Saint-Denis, Espace Saint-Denis, MTelus, Club Soda and Studio TD. Headliners include Tom Segura, Russell Peters, Fortune Feimster, Michelle Buteau, Adam Ray, Kumail Nanjiani, Mae Martin and many more.
It's a full return to JFL's hits, including Galas, Roast Battle Canada, New Faces Of Comedy, The Nasty Show, The JFL Culture Show and Brit(ish). The New Faces showcase has helped launch such global stars as Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Ali Wong, Jo Koy, Tim Robinson and Kumail Nanjiani and Saturday Night Live cast members like Jimmy Fallon, Pete Davidson and Heidi Gardner.
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The lineup of headliners and other shows at L'Olympia includes Russell Howard (July 24), Mae Martin (July 25), Kumail Nanjiani (July 26), Dropout Improv (July 26) and Smosh Reads Reddit Stories(July 26).
Two free outdoor shows at Place Des Festivals are Adam Ray Is Dr. Phil Live, on July 24, and Tom Segura: Come Together, on July 26. The Just For Laughs Gaalas will take place at Theatre Maisonneuve, July 25-26, hosted by Fortune Feimster (July 26) and Michelle Buteau (July 25), while Roast Battle Canadatakes the stage at Espace St-Denis, July 20-22, in front of celebrity judgesRussell Peters, Sabrina Jalees and K. Trevor Wilson and host Ennis Esmer.
Founded in 1983, the festival expanded into Toronto and Vancouver under its previous owners and presented comedy and performance events year-round.
Ticket info and the full Just For Laughs schedule is available at HAHAHA.COM.
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