This year’s star-studded lineup features Jon Stewart and Bill Murray, leading four days of comedy with over 50 live events.

On Saturday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m., Jon Stewart brings his stand-up performance to the Northwest Arena. On Sunday, Aug. 10, at 5 p.m., Bill Murray takes the same stage alongside his Blood Brothers band for a high-energy mix of rock and blues. The evening begins with a Stand-Up Showcase featuring top comedic talent from across the country: Tony Deyo, Jaki Fabulous, Ryan Goldsher, and Andy Huggins.

Also on Sunday, Aug. 10, at 2 p.m., fans of Saturday Night Live can go behind the scenes of the iconic show with Streeter Seidell, the show’s co-head writer, and SNL cast member James Austin Johnson.

This on-stage conversation, marking SNL’s 50th anniversary, will offer a look at the collaborative creative process behind one of television’s most enduring comedy institutions. Seidell has shaped some of SNL’s most talked-about sketches in recent years, including Washington’s Dream with Nate Bargatze, Beavis & Butt-Head with Ryan Gosling, and Alien Encounter with Kate McKinnon. Johnson joined SNL in 2021 and has emerged as one of the show’s most versatile cast members. Known for his sharp, imaginative character work – including viral impressions of Joe Biden, Adam Driver, and Donald Trump – Johnson is frequently featured in the show’s cold open, leading SNL’s take on current events with standout performances. Tickets include admission to the National Comedy Center, including a newly expanded SNL exhibit featuring cue cards from Washington’s Dream.

Friday Stand-up Live! artists are, from left, Erica Rhodes, Seth Herzog, Erin Jackson, Shane Torres and Adam Mamawala.

On Friday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m., comedy takes center stage at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts for Stand-Up Live! – a fast-paced evening of standout comedy featuring some of today’s best touring comedians: Seth Herzog, Erin Jackson, Adam Mamawala, Erica Rhodes and Shane Torres. Their credits include The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and more.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy free outdoor block parties, live music, Comedy Late Night events and special programming inside the National Comedy Center – including a lineup of exclusive experiences that delve into the art and history of comedy. Visitors can experience special archive encounters, attend special presentations on comedy history, and take part in interactive workshops for kids and families, all designed to offer a deeper appreciation for the comedic craft.

The festival also features I Love Lucy legacy events, LucyTown tours, and themed lunches and dinners at Ricky Ricardo’s Tropicana Club, a re-creation of the iconic nightclub from I Love Lucy.

Now celebrating its 35th year, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival has welcomed more than 300 performers – from Jerry Seinfeld, Joan Rivers, and Trevor Noah to Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, John Mulaney, and Taylor Tomlinson – drawing over 15,000 comedy fans to Jamestown annually.

See the full festival schedule, get tickets for all events and purchase museum admission at ComedyCenter.org/festival.

Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers are pictured. They will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10.