A brand new comedy festival is kicking off in Union Square this June.
From June 5-8, The Stand Restaurant & Comedy Club will present NY Laughs Festival, in partnership with the nonprofit NYLaughs and the Union Square Partnership. The festival will feature a lineup of shows at primarily at The Stand, located at 116 E 16th St., and at Irving Plaza, located at 17 Irving Pl.
The festival will kick off with a huge free show called “Comedy in the Square,” which will take place in Union Square at 6 p.m. During this show, the public can enjoy top-tier comedy and music and food and beverage service from Torch & Crown Beer Garden in the Union Square Park Pavilion, as well as in the neighboring Union Square Night Market by Urbanspace and other local businesses.
“Our mission with the NY Laughs Festival, particularly through ‘Comedy in the Square,’ is to break down barriers and bring the joy of live comedy directly to the people of New York City,” said Paolo Italia, co-founder of the festival and a driving force behind The Stand. “This year serves as a crucial step in realizing our vision for a long term large-scale, annual festival that truly integrates comedy into the fabric of public life.”
The comedy lineup features Michael Che and Vinny Guadagnino in separate shows at Irving Plaza on June 7. Each night at The Stand will feature a different hilarious night of engaging content. The festival will culminate on June 8 with a special edition of Sunday Supper, comedy paired with a culinary extravaganza, with Chef Stephen Cusato.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the NY Laughs to Union Square—a neighborhood known for its vibrant, one-of-a-kind New York energy,” said Julie Stein, Executive Director of Union Square Partnership. “As part of our free summer programming series, we’re especially excited to co-host Comedy in the Square, the festival’s signature event, right here in the heart of the park. This celebration of humor and community is a perfect expression of our mission to make Union Square the place to be—and a rare chance to experience the best of NYC’s comedic talent in an unforgettable, open-air setting.”
Tickets start at $30.75 and can be purchased online. For more information or to check out the lineup, visit nylaughfest.com.
