The Just For Laughs Montréal Festival, presented in collaboration with Loto-Québec, is most definitely back. After a pivotal year, the world’s largest comedy festival concluded on July 27, reaffirming its role as a cultural pillar in Québec, across Canada, and as a global capital of comedy.
With a festival budget contributing over $35 million to cultural and economic growth, sold-out venues, massive outdoor crowds, a record number of broadcast productions, an impressive reach across all digital platforms, Just For Laughs has not only lived up to its storied reputation, it has reemerged as a bold, inspiring, and forward-thinking institution.
“This festival is an industry hub powered by an entire community of fans and creators. It’s a source of pride, creativity, emotion, and ambition. This year, laughter took its rightful place back in Montréal. It’s the foundation for all the improvements we’ve carefully identified to build an even bigger, bolder, and more unifying festival,” said Sylvain Parent-Bédard, President and CEO, Juste pour rire / Just For Laughs.
A MULTI-PLATFORM, MULTILINGUAL FESTIVALWith a vibrant and eclectic program ranging from sold-out indoor shows to massive outdoor events at the Loto-Québec stage on the Place des Festivals and Esplanade of Place des Arts, and emerging voices, the Festival united all generations, communities, and audiences in Spanish, English, and French.
The Festival achieved impressive digital engagement, both across digital platforms (with 83 million followers) and through upcoming distribution on major streaming services and broadcasters including CBC, ICI Radio-Canada Télé, Tou.tv, Crave, CTV, Comedy Channel, Bell Media, Canal+, France Télévisions, Amazon Prime, NOOVO, TV5 Québec-Canada, Unis, Netflix, ABC Australia, RTL Belgium, and Paramount+.
HIGHLIGHTS

• The outdoor Scène Loto-Québec Stage and its free programming such as Adam Ray is Dr. Phil LIVE- The Dr. Squatch Stage on Sainte-Catherine Street
• Just For Laughs Hall of Fame induction of *Les Boys*
• The return of festival staples in both English and French such as New Faces /Nouveaux visages and The Nasty Show / Sans Censure
• The return of the Just For Laughs Galas hosted by Roy Wood Jr., Michelle Buteau, Fortune Feimster, and Mikey Day
• Roast Battle Canada, filmed for the first time ever at the Festival
• One Night Out with Alan Cumming Gala
• Gerry Dee’s first stand-up comedy special in thirteen years for Netflix
• Open Stage contest winner: Alex Levesque, creator of the hit comic Dessine Bandé
• ComedyPRO with over 500 industry leaders from around the world including executives from Warner, Fox, CBC, Bell Media, Radio-Canada, and Netflix
• Just For Laughs Awards Show: Ryan Reynolds presenting Generation Award to Rob Mac; Roy Wood Jr., presenting Lifetime Achievement Awards to George Wallace; Mary Beth Barone presenting Breakout Comedy Star of the Year to Benito Skinner; Cat Cohen presenting Rising Comedy Star of the Year to Hannah Berner; Sabrina Jalees presenting Podcast of the Year Award to Handsome Podcast hosted by Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin
• Through eclectic programming, OFF JPR-JFL successfully reaching new and diverse audiences

MAJOR ATTENDANCE AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

• Over $35 million festival budget contributing to cultural and economic growth
• Nearly 175,000 in-venue attendees
• Massive outdoor turnout
• Over 500 artists from around the globe
• Just under 30 venues across the city
• 83 million social media followers
• Close to 50 hours of broadcast programming
• The Just For Laughs Group generates over 7,000 direct jobs annually in addition to indirect employment

The next edition of Just For Laughs Montréal will take place from July 16 to 26, 2026
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Just For Laughs Montréal Festival extends deep thanks to its presenting partner Loto-Québec and valued sponsors: Énergir, Belle Gueule, Dr. Squatch, Distillerie des Appalaches, AWS, YUL – Montréal Airport, La Banquise/Ashton, hotel partners Double Tree by Hilton and Delta Montreal, official media partners Radio-Canada, Variety, La Presse, and broadcast partners CBC, Crave, CTV Comedy Channel, Bell Media, ICI Télé, ICI TOU.TV, TVA, illico+, Noovo, TV5, Unis TV, Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount+, Network 10, CANAL+, France Télévision, RTL Belgium, and the Canada Media Fund.
The Festival also acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Québec, the Government of Canada, the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, Quartier des Spectacles, Downtown Montréal, and Place des Arts—without whom none of this would be possible.
ABOUT JUSTE POUR RIRE / JUST FOR LAUGHSFounded in 1983, Just For Laughs is a global leader in comedy and producer of the world’s largest comedy festival in Montréal, with additional festivals in Québec City, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Bermuda. It has launched the careers of numerous comedy legends and entertains millions annually across festivals and media in over 150 countries. Just For Laughs also produces live shows, musicals, and is the organizer of the ComedyPRO conference.
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Media contact: Touchwood Info