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New York summers are basically one long endurance test: sweating on the subway, waiting for rooftop reservations and fighting for a spot to sunbathe in the park. Thankfully, there’s now another coping mechanism returning to the city next month: a gigantic free comedy festival taking over Union Square and Lower Manhattan for four straight days.
The NY Laughs Festival is back from June 4 through June 7, bringing a substantial lineup of stand-up heavyweights, rising comics and open-air performances to venues across downtown Manhattan, including a massive free kickoff show right in Union Square Park.
Presented by The Stand Restaurant & Comedy Club alongside nonprofit comedy organization NYLaughs, the festival debuted last year and apparently went well enough that organizers decided to make the sequel even bigger and louder. This year’s edition expands with new venues, additional programming and a lineup that reads like a perfect comedy podcast queue.
Among the comedians slated to appear: Jeff Ross, Dave Attell, Andrew Dice Clay, Mark Normand, Rachel Feinstein, Emma Willmann, Paul Virzi, Matthew Broussard, Alex English, Steve Rannazzisi and Jerrod Carmichael, with more names still expected to be announced.
The centerpiece of the whole thing is “Comedy in the Square,” a free outdoor show happening June 4 from 6 pm to 9 pm on Union Square Park’s North Plaza. Organizers say the event will once again turn the park into a giant open-air comedy club, complete with a concert-style stage setup, seating, standing room and food and drinks nearby. (Last year’s kickoff reportedly drew more than 1,000 people.) This year’s outdoor lineup includes Mark Normand, Matthew Broussard, Emma Willmann, Caitlin Peluffo and Usama Siddiquee, plus live music before the stand-up starts.
Beyond Union Square, performances will pop up throughout Lower Manhattan at venues including The Stand, Irving Plaza, Joe’s Pub, Pier 57 and St. Marks Comedy Club. There’s even a preview planned for The Stand’s forthcoming Chelsea Market location before it officially opens later this summer. Ticket prices range from free to about $58, depending on the show and venue.
If nothing else, it’s a pretty solid excuse to spend four nights laughing in public instead of crying on the L train.